Nov 6, 2024 - Nov 23, 2024
Most of the great 1986-87 Fleer Basketball rookie cards, including Michael Jordan, were preceded by true rookie debuts in the 1984-85 Star Company set. Distributed in 12-card team sets sealed in transparent plastic baggies (polybags), the limited product was sold only through “master distributors” to a select number of hobby shops. Production numbers for the 2nd year issue are around 3,000 according to Star’s original order form.
His Airness is featured on three cards in the 1984-85 Star Co. Basketball set. The most coveted and valuable, by far, is his #101 XRC true rookie. Presented here is one of the finest signed versions of MJ’s first rookie card you will find in the hobby, newly graded and fresh to the market from perhaps the world’s deepest basketball autograph collection. Beckett has dual-graded this beauty NM-MT+ 8.5 for the card and Mint 9 for the autograph. The card condition breakdown listed on the back of the holder is: Centering 8; Corners 8.5; Edges 9; Surface 9. That evaluation seems to be spot-on. Jordan’s early-career signature is done in bold blue Sharpie. Absolutely stunning.
Finding this elusive gem is difficult enough in its pure format, with high-grade examples demanding a heavy premium. An unsigned PSA 8 went for $244,000 in September 2024. Signed examples of MJ’s original rookie, however, are even scarcer. This past summer, a BGS 8.5 with a 10 Auto grade sold privately for a half million dollars. A few months ago, one graded PSA 7 for the card and PSA/DNA 9 for the autograph went for $195,000. What separates this offered example from the pack is the timestamp of the signature, which matches MJ’s rookie-era form. Could this gem set a new auction record for any MJ signed '84 Star XRC?
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