The Weekly Rip 9.28.24 [Top Selling]
In this week's edition of The Weekly Rip we explore the top selling cards of 2024 and pulling themes from the sales.
On September 24th the first auction featuring sports cards with Sotheby’s concluded. Sotheby’s is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious auction houses. When I think about Sotheby’s I always think about rare art pieces, antiques, and jewelry. I’ve always associated the brand with the place where Jay-Z goes to buy a new Picasso or Van Gogh. Sotheby’s isn’t a brand I’ve ever associated with sports cards, but now we’re here. In the initial auction 32 cards sold for a whopping $6,804,400! Many monster grails sold and inevitably the Sotheby’s brand shines the light on sports cards for an entirely new audience. The early reports suggest hip hop moguls like Meek Mill participated. Many members of the community might not have participated in the bidding, but instead used their Instagram pages to report on the sales.
In one single night 4 of the highest selling cards of 2024 went off the board at Sotheby’s. I’ve worked in the business of launching new things my entire career and I’d be working in an ivory tower somewhere if the products I promoted ever entered that kind of status on the first go round. I’m going to discuss the impact of new audience members and visibility in upcoming content, but for now I thought it would be fun this week to take a look at the Top 25 highest selling sports cards of the year and make some general observations about the data that’s in front of me.
The other reason that I decided to highlight the performance side of the market this week is to display the data. We’re in a fortunate period in our hobby’s history where we’ve got more access to data than ever before. There’s a lot of subjective commentary across the hobby. We make the decisions on who we follow or listen to on a regular basis. I think it’s completely acceptable to share your opinions on cards, but what’s even more powerful is the ability to synthesize data for your arguments. I would never have had the time or patience to be able to put this list together with the help of Card Ladder. I know there’s only a fraction of people who are financially able to participate in this segment of the hobby, but I’m a big believer that it’s always good to follow macro trends at the top.
1. 2003-04 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Ultimate Logos Signature #MJ-L Michael Jordan
Grading: PSA Authentic, PSA/DNA GEM MT 10
Details: Signed Game-Used Logoman Patch Card (#1/1)
Sold Price: $2,928,000.00
Sold Date: June 2, 2024
Platform: Goldin
Listing Type: Auction
2. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311
Grading: PSA NM-MT+ 8.5
Sold Price: $2,370,000.00
Sold Date: February 25, 2024
Platform: Heritage
Listing Type: Auction
Population: 5
3. 1961-62 Fleer #8 Wilt Chamberlain
Grading: SGC 10 Gem Mint
Sold Price: $1,700,000.00
Sold Date: September 4, 2024
Platform: Private Sale
Listing Type: Best Offer
Population: Not Listed
4. 2003-04 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Ultimate Logos Signature #KB-L Kobe Bryant
Grading: PSA MINT 9, PSA/DNA MINT 9
Details: Signed Game-Used Logoman Patch Card (#1/1)
Sold Price: $1,584,643.36
Sold Date: August 18, 2024
Platform: Goldin
Listing Type: Auction
5. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311
Grading: PSA NM-MT 8
Sold Price: $1,380,000.00
Sold Date: August 25, 2024
Platform: Heritage
Listing Type: Auction
6. 1984 Star #101 Michael Jordan
Grading: PSA 9
Sold Price: $925,000.00
Sold Date: May 20, 2024
Platform: Private Sale
Listing Type: Best Offer
Population: 3
7. 1909-11 T206 Piedmont 350 Ty Cobb (Bat Off Shoulder)
Grading: PSA Mint 9
Sold Price: $870,000.00
Sold Date: August 23, 2024
Platform: Heritage
Listing Type: Auction
Population: 2
8. 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente Rookie Card
Grading: PSA 9
Sold Price: $840,000.00
Sold Date: September 24, 2024
Platform: Sotheby’s
Listing Type: Auction
Population: 11
9. 2005-06 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman Autographs #DLA-JE Michael Jordan and Julius Erving
Grading: BGS 8.5/Autograph 10
Details: 1 of 1 | On-Card Autographs | Sporting News Jordan Cover
Sold Price: $780,000.00
Sold Date: September 24, 2024
Platform: Sotheby’s
Listing Type: Auction
Population: Not Listed
10. Babe Ruth Rookie #151 (M101-5 Blank Backs)
Grading: SGC EX+ 5.5
Sold Price: $630,000.00
Sold Date: January 26, 2024
Platform: Heritage
Listing Type: Auction
11. 2005-06 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Autograph Patch #6-AP LeBron James
Grading: BGS 8.5/Autograph 10
Details: 2-Color Patch | On-Card Autograph | 1 of 1
Sold Price: $576,000.00
Sold Date: September 24, 2024
12. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311
Grading: SGC NM+ 7.5
Sold Price: $564,000.00
Sold Date: May 16, 2024
Platform: Heritage
Listing Type: Auction
Population: 16
13. 2003 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Autograph LeBron James #78
Grading: BGS 9.5 Auto 10
Serial Number: /99
Sold Price: $562,135.00
Sold Date: August 16, 2024
Platform: Alt
Listing Type: Auction
Population: 12
14. 2002-03 Upper Deck Autographed NBA Logo Mania #KB-NBA Kobe Bryant
Grading: BGS MINT 9, Beckett Auto 10
Details: Signed Logoman Patch Card | 1 of 1
Sold Price: $549,000.00
Sold Date: January 28, 2024
Platform: Goldin
Listing Type: Auction
15. 2023 Panini Prizm Black Shimmer FOTL Victor Wembanyama Rookie #136
Grading: PSA 9
Details: 1 of 1
Sold Price: $516,000.00
Sold Date: April 18, 2024
Platform: Fanatics Premier
Listing Type: Auction
16. 1890-92 John H. Ryder Studio Cabinet Cy Young Rookie Card
Grading: PSA FR 1.5 (MK)
Sold Price: $500,200.00
Sold Date: June 1, 2024
Platform: Goldin
Listing Type: Auction
Population: 1
17. 1980 Topps Basketball Larry Bird & Magic Johnson Rookie
Grading: PSA 10 GEM MINT
Sold Price: $492,000.00
Sold Date: May 17, 2024
Platform: Fanatics Premier
Listing Type: Auction
Population: 24
18. 2015 Panini Immaculate Collection Premium Patches NFL Shield Autograph Tom Brady
Grading: PSA Authentic, PSA/DNA Auto 10
Details: 1 of 1 | On-Card Autograph
Sold Price: $480,000.00
Sold Date: September 24, 2024
Platform: Sotheby’s
Listing Type: Auction
19. 1909-11 T206 Ty Cobb (Portrait-Red)
Grading: SGC Good+ 2.5
Details: Fresh to the Hobby!
Sold Price: $432,000.00
Sold Date: March 23, 2024
Platform: Heritage
Listing Type: Auction
20. 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Auto LeBron James #78 (69/99)
Grading: BGS 8/Autograph 10
Details: On-Card Autograph | Rookie Card
Sold Price: $432,000.00
Sold Date: September 24, 2024
Platform: Sotheby’s
Listing Type: Auction
21. 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #149
Grading: PSA NM-MT 8
Sold Price: $420,000.00
Sold Date: August 25, 2024
Platform: Heritage
Listing Type: Auction
Population: 20
22. 1954 Topps Hank Aaron Rookie #128
Grading: PSA MINT 9
Sold Price: $420,000.00
Sold Date: April 21, 2024
Platform: REA
Listing Type: Auction
Population: 25
23. 2003 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Kobe Bryant (Number Pieces Autographs) #NP-KB
Grading: PSA NM 7/Autograph 10
Serial Number: #'d 7/8
Sold Price: $408,000.00
Sold Date: August 23, 2024
Platform: Heritage
Listing Type: Auction
24. 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan Rookie #57
Grading: PSA 10+++
Sold Price: $399,999.99
Sold Date: March 4, 2024
Platform: eBay
Listing Type: Fixed Price
Seller: E3SPORTS (Feedback: 11,262)
25. 1951 Bowman Willie Mays Rookie #305
Grading: PSA NM-MT+ 8.5
Sold Price: $390,935.00
Sold Date: August 11, 2024
Platform: REA
Listing Type: Auction
Takeaways:
1. Michael Jordan and Mickey Mantle Dominate the List
Michael Jordan cards appear five times, highlighting his continued status as one of the most valuable and sought-after athletes in the trading card market. His 2003-04 Ultimate Collection Logoman card takes the top spot with a final price of $3.48 million.
Mickey Mantle cards appear three times, with his 1952 Topps #311 consistently making record sales, reflecting its iconic status in the hobby. Mantle's PSA 8.5 card sold for $2.69 million, making it the second highest sale.
2. High-Grade Vintage Cards Are Highly Coveted
Vintage baseball cards (pre-1970) continue to fetch enormous prices. Notable examples include:
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle in multiple grades.
1909-11 T206 Ty Cobb and 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth cards also made the list, showing the sustained appeal of cards from the early 20th century.
The 1890-92 Cy Young Rookie Card, graded PSA 1.5, sold for nearly $1 million, despite the low grade.
3. Logoman and Patch Autograph Cards Stand Out
Modern Logoman and Patch Autograph cards, particularly those featuring Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James, command premium prices. Several cards featuring game-used patches and on-card autographs rank highly, reflecting collectors' appreciation for the rarity and uniqueness of these items.
Cards like Kobe Bryant's Logoman Patch and Michael Jordan/Erving Dual Logoman Autographs feature prominently.
4. Grading Plays a Critical Role
High-grade cards—PSA 9 and 10, BGS 9.5, and SGC 10—dominate the list, underscoring the premium that collectors place on top-quality, mint-condition cards.
Even slightly lower-graded versions of the same card show a dramatic difference in sale price. For instance, a PSA 8.5 Mickey Mantle card sells for much more than a PSA 8 version of the same card.
5. Scarcity is a Key Driver
Population counts (the number of known copies of a specific card in a given grade) significantly impact the sale prices. Cards with low populations, such as one-of-ones (e.g., Logoman cards, 1/1 patch cards) and high-grade vintage cards with fewer than 10 known copies, sell for significantly higher amounts.
Michael Jordan's 1984 Star #101 PSA 9 has a population of just 3, contributing to its high price of $1.15 million.
6. Newer Players and Cards are Making an Impact
Victor Wembanyama's 2023 Panini Prizm Black Shimmer Rookie card sold for $516,000, showing that collectors are willing to invest heavily in emerging stars. This indicates potential growth in the modern card market, driven by excitement around younger athletes. Also, this suggests a strong excitement for the long-term conviction around the Prizm brand.
7. Platforms Matter
Goldin, Heritage, and Sotheby's dominate as platforms for high-end auctions. Notably, Fanatics Premier and eBay also appear, showing the broad range of platforms being used to sell high-value cards.
8. Basketball Leads the Market
Basketball cards have the strongest representation, with Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Larry Bird/Magic Johnson cards frequently appearing. This emphasizes the strength of basketball in the trading card market, especially compared to baseball, which historically dominated but is now more evenly matched.
9. Private Sales and Auction Variances
While many cards are sold via auction, there are a few significant private sales (e.g., Wilt Chamberlain's Fleer card and Michael Jordan's Star #101), indicating that some buyers prefer to acquire cards without the bidding competition of an auction.
10. Iconic Rookie Cards Remain Valuable
Rookie cards of legends like Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Willie Mays, and Michael Jordan continue to fetch high prices, cementing their status as long-term investments.
Will we see any other cards crack the list in 2024? I’d bet on it. There’s a lot of momentum around our hobby right now. I’m excited to see what’s next.
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Brett