Goldin Auctions’ April Elite sale recently set the sports memorabilia world abuzz with record prices and intense bidding wars centered around promising NBA talents Anthony Edwards and Victor Wembanyama. The event coincided with a noteworthy playoff performance by Edwards, fueling even greater interest in items associated with the two basketball stars.
A highlight of the auction was an early NBA jersey worn by Anthony Edwards during his fourth career game, which commanded a staggering $118,978. This sale not only set a new record for any publicly sold Edwards jersey but also highlighted the growing allure of owning a piece of the rising star’s career. The jersey, accompanied by MeiGray/NBA authentication and photomatching, holds sentimental value as it witnessed Edwards securing his first career block and contributing 12 points to his record. Edwards further solidified his star status during the 2024 playoffs by becoming one of the youngest players to score over 40 points in consecutive postseason games, adding to the jersey’s prestige.
An auction standout was the sale of an Edwards 2020-21 Panini National Treasures Rookie Patch Autograph card, graded BGS GEM MINT 9.5 with a Beckett 10 for autographs, which garnered an impressive $85,550. This showcased the fervor surrounding collectibles tied to emerging basketball talents like Edwards.
Victor Wembanyama, another rising star in the basketball world, also attracted significant attention at the auction, particularly in the realm of rookie cards. A 2023-24 Panini Prizm Green Shimmer First Off The Line rookie card, with a rare 1 of 5 numbering and graded PSA 10, fetched a noteworthy $113,460. Another coveted card featuring Wembanyama, a Gold Shimmer rookie with a limited 7/10 numbering, closed at an impressive $49,410, underlining the demand for memorabilia associated with the promising player.
Beyond modern basketball stars, the auction encompassed legendary figures like Kobe Bryant and soccer sensation Kylian Mbappe. A 1996-97 Kobe Bryant Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card achieved a remarkable $92,720, showcasing enduring interest in the late basketball icon. In a different sporting realm, a 2018 Panini Prizm World Cup Gold Power Prizm Kylian Mbappe rookie card, graded BGS MINT 9, went under the hammer for $92,190, emphasizing the global appeal of sports collectibles.
Diversity shone through with former Duke star Cherokee Parks’ NCAA Championship ring, alongside other notable items. Parks’ 1994 Championship ring fetched $44,320, highlighting the enduring allure of collegiate sports memorabilia.
Capturing pivotal moments from basketball legends’ early careers, photographs of Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar fetched $15,982 and $14,640, respectively, at the auction, resonating with enthusiasts keen on owning a piece of sporting history.
The auction also featured a jersey from Fernando Tatis Jr.’s early MLB days, worn during his first career road game, which sold for $10,098. This eclectic assortment of memorabilia underscored the robust interest in sports collectibles that transcends generations and sports, making each item a cherished piece of history for avid collectors.
