Tom Brady
Fanatics, Sotheby’s launching ‘Holy Grails’ auction featuring rare, high-end sports cards
Sotheby’s and Fanatics will launch a “Holy Grails” auction in September featuring 40 of the rarest sports cards of the 20th and 21st centuries.
The auction will feature what Sotheby’s and Fanatics calls “the ultimate ‘Holy Grails’ of the collecting world.” It features cards of such legendary athletes as Tom Brady, LeBron James, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, and more.
The auction and an exhibition will be held at the Harlem Parish church on West 118th Street in New York City. The exhibition will be open to the public Sept. 23–24, with the live auction set for Sept. 24.
The immersive event will be similar to a watch-collecting auction Sotheby’s held earlier this year in an underground wine cellar.
“From the outset, our aim was to create an immersive auction experience unlike anything ever seen in the trading card industry,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Modern Collectables. “By choosing the iconic Harlem Parish as our venue and through bold, visual scenography and property displays, we are reimagining what the trading card industry means for collectors and enthusiasts. With this innovative approach, we’re not only shaking up the industry but also bringing cards into today’s modern world in a way that’s truly unprecedented.”
“We’re excited to help build an auction the hobby industry has never seen before, from the creative physical set up to the incredible cards in the lot to the fans and collectors in attendance,” said Chris Lamontagne, president of Fanatics Collect and Fanatics Live.
According to Lamontagne, the crowd at the exhibition and auction will include “A-list” athletes and celebrities, including some possibly featured in the cards offered. Auction highlights include:
• A 2005-06 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman Autographs #DLA-JE Michael Jordan and Julius Erving card (BGS 8.5/Auto 10. The 1/1 card, one of only two such cards ever released with the two NBA legends, has an estimated value of $1 million. It is one of just eight dual Logoman autographs from the Exquisite Collection to feature Jordan.
• 2005-06 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Autograph Patch #6-AP LeBron James (BGS 8.5/Auto 10). The 1/1 auto patch card has an estimate of $350,000-plus.
• 1997-98 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Emerald #66 Tim Duncan Rookie card (BGS 8). The rare card, one of only 10 from the Precious Metals set, has an estimated value of $200,000-$300,000.
• 2000 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket Autograph #144 Tom Brady (BGS 9.5/Auto 10). Brady’s top rookie card has an estimated value of $100,000-$130,000.
• 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente rookie card (PSA 9). One of only 11 graded PSA 9, Clemente’s rookie has an estimated value of $800,000-$1 million.
