The auction world was set ablaze as Goldin Auctions’ April Elite sale showcased a dazzling array of sports memorabilia, with a particular focus on rising NBA talents Anthony Edwards and Victor Wembanyama. The event coincided with a thrilling playoff game where Anthony Edwards shone brightly, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a victory that likely fueled the fervor for his collectibles.
One of the standout highlights of the auction was the sale of an early NBA jersey worn by Anthony Edwards during his fourth career game, fetching an astonishing $118,978. This remarkable price tag set a new record for any Edwards jersey sold publicly. The jersey, bearing MeiGray/NBA authentication and photomatching, held sentimental value as it was worn during a game where Edwards notched his first career block and contributed 12 points to his burgeoning record. Edwards’ trajectory to stardom was further solidified during the 2024 playoffs, where he etched his name alongside legends by becoming one of the youngest players to score over 40 points in consecutive postseason games.
Another prized possession, an Edwards 2020-21 Panini National Treasures Rookie Patch Autograph card, graded BGS GEM MINT 9.5 with a perfect Beckett 10 for autographs, fetched an impressive $85,550 at the auction, adding to the allure of Edwards’ collectibles.
Victor Wembanyama, a promising talent in his own right, saw a surge in interest surrounding his memorabilia, particularly his rookie cards. A 2023-24 Panini Prizm Green Shimmer First Off The Line rookie card, numbered 1 of 5 and graded PSA 10, commanded a hefty $113,460 at the auction. Additionally, a rare Gold Shimmer rookie card numbered 7/10 belonging to Wembanyama fetched $49,410, underscoring the growing appeal of this young basketball star’s memorabilia.
The auction wasn’t solely dedicated to modern NBA luminaries, as evidenced by the impressive sale of a 1996-97 Kobe Bryant Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card, which garnered a remarkable $92,720. Another highlight was the auctioning of a 2018 Panini Prizm World Cup Gold Power Prizm Kylian Mbappe rookie card, graded BGS MINT 9, which sold for $92,190, showcasing the enduring appeal of collectibles beyond basketball.
Former Duke standout Cherokee Parks also made an appearance in the auction lineup, with his NCAA Championship ring from 1994 achieving $44,320, adding a touch of vintage charm to the proceedings.
Captivating photographs capturing seminal moments in the careers of basketball icons Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar fetched impressive sums, with the Jordan photo selling for $15,982 and the Abdul-Jabbar piece for $14,640, paying homage to the rich history of the sport.
Not to be outdone, a jersey from Fernando Tatis’s early MLB days, commemorating his first career road game, saw spirited bidding and ultimately sold for $10,098, showcasing the enduring appeal of baseball collectibles.
The diverse range of memorabilia on offer at the Goldin Auctions’ April Elite sale highlighted the unwavering passion and interest in sports collectibles across generations and sports leagues, setting the stage for continued excitement and record-breaking sales in the world of sports memorabilia.
