A unique basketball trading card featuring photos, autographs, and game-worn jersey patches of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant is set to sell for an unprecedented $6 million at auction on August 23, setting a new record for the priciest hoops card ever sold.
In the world of sports memorabilia, certain items transcend their physical form to become artifacts of history.
Few objects capture this sentiment more powerfully than a one-of-a-kind trading card currently sending shockwaves through the auction world: the 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman card.
The trading card is already bid at $2.9 million
The collectible is headlining Heritage Auctions’ Summer Platinum Night Sports sale, with bidding already at $2.9 million.
Furthermore, this card is not merely rare; it is unique. As a “1 of 1” creation, it is the only card ever produced by Upper Deck to feature both Jordan and Bryant with their on-card autographs and the highly coveted, game-worn NBA “Logoman” patch from each of their jerseys.
The patches themselves are pieces of history, swatches of fabric worn by the legends in the heat of competition. Adding another layer of distinction, Jordan’s patch is the special gold version used during the NBA’s 50th Anniversary season in 1996-97, a nod to his championship era.
Bryant, who passed away in a tragic helicopter crash in 2020 along with his daughter, Gianna, only signed 11 dual Logoman cards in his lifetime.
Jordan’s signature appears on just eight dual Logoman cards in total. This card marks the sole instance in which both superstars signed the same card.
But the card’s immense value, with pre-auction estimates soaring past $6 million, is not derived solely from its rarity. It lies in the profound narrative it represents.
Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant shared one of the most well-documented and revered relationships in sports history.
Jordan was the established icon, the undisputed greatest of his time, while Bryant was the prodigious young talent.
Card symbolizes a “passing of the torch”
Overall, this card is a tangible symbol of that “passing of the torch” moment. It captures the essence of mentorship and the continuation of greatness from one generation to the next.
Additionally, the two signatures, side-by-side, represent a dialogue between legends. For collectors, owning this card is akin to owning a piece of their shared journey.
The tragic death of Kobe Bryant in 2020 lends a final, poignant chapter to the card’s story. It immortalizes a connection that can never be replicated, making it a finite piece of sports heritage.
Altogether, it’s more than just cardboard and ink; it is a masterpiece of modern collecting, a priceless memento of the brotherhood between two of the most influential athletes to ever grace the hardwood.