THE ONCE-HIDDEN ASSEMBLAGE CONTAINS SIGNED RELICS FROM MICHAEL JORDAN, KOBE BRYANT, LEBRON JAMES AND OTHER STARS OF THE SPORT
By Chris Ivy
For those who started collecting sports cards in the 1980s or before, as I did, collecting modern cards manufactured after 1994 can be daunting. The proliferation of manufacturers and issues that began in the early 1990s was a bit too much for many collectors who were used to just a handful of sets per year from the primary manufacturers. However, as collectors who came into the market after 1994 and those older collectors who jumped into the modern card market are well aware, there are plenty of incredible and valuable cards that have been manufactured over the past 30 years.
First and foremost on that list for most modern collectors is the Upper Deck Exquisite series that was first produced and sold for the jaw-dropping price of $500 per pack in 2003. Of course, packs that contained five basketball cards priced at $100 each were controversial as many decried that it was the next step in the commoditization of the hobby. However, the cards included in those packs were novel and innovative, combining both game-worn jersey patches and authentic player autographs. Looking back, one thing that can’t be denied is that the 2003 Upper Deck Exquisite series was one of the most groundbreaking sets that the hobby had ever seen. And those collectors who had the foresight to invest and collect the issue at the time are looking very astute today as the Exquisite series only continues to grow in popularity and price in the secondary market.
One of those Exquisite basketball collectors who was on the forefront of the movement put together what Heritage Auctions is offering over several auctions as The Yeow Exquisite Hidden Collection. Compiled approximately 20 years ago by a single collector and meticulously preserved ungraded in retro one-touch holders, this collection remained completely off the grid and had not had any cards professionally graded or offered for sale until now. The collection made its initial splash with a handful of cards setting world-record results in Heritage’s August 23-25 Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction, and hundreds of additional cards are set to roll out in multiple auctions over the coming months. Below are just a few of the collection’s highlights offered in Heritage’s October 4-6 Fall Sports Catalog Auction.
This 2003 Upper Deck Exquisite Michael Jordan Number Pieces Autographs is number 12 of only 23 produced and features a patch from one of Jordan’s Bulls gamers as well as a bold blue Sharpie signature directly applied to the right border. In addition, the condition is virtually unimprovable as it stands alone atop the PSA population at PSA Mint 9 Auto 10 condition.
Speaking of unimprovable condition, this 2003 Kobe Bryant Noble Nameplate Autograph also stands alone at the top of the PSA pops as the only graded PSA Gem Mint 10 with a certified and graded PSA/DNA Auto 10. It is numbered as 23 of 25 and features Kobe’s on-card autograph along with a substantial, multicolored patch from one of his game-worn jerseys.
Here we have the one and only LeBron James, who was one of the primary reasons that Upper Deck took the leap into production of the 2003 Exquisite Collection. This Limited Logos-Autograph Patch is number 03 of 75 created for the series and grades a PSA Authentic with an Auto grade of Gem Mint 10.
Last, we have a 2003 Exquisite Foursomes Patches featuring LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. This example is number 06 of 10 produced, is a population of one with none higher as a PSA Near Mint 7 and features a game-worn jersey swatch from each player. Incredibly, three of the four stars featured on this card would win championships together with the Miami Heat less than 10 years later!
These highlights represent only a fraction of the incredible modern-era cards featured in the Fall Sports Catalog Auction. Explore the rest of the Upper Deck Exquisites and beyond at HA.com/50074.
CHRIS IVY is Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage Auctions. He can be reached at 214.409.1319 or CIvy@HA.com.