Michael Jordan RC, PSA 10, shatters 100k !!!

[GOATcards]

My own story on the Jordan craze...

I had a PSA 9 #57 for years, the nicest example overall I had found after going through about 3 dozen 9s. Sold at $50K. (Certainly wouldn't buy something that big at current prices with my limited funds. Even the Star cards are getting ridiculous....) I put a little portion of the proceeds into an '87 sticker graded BGS 8.5, and a LeBron UD Rookie Exclusives PSA 9. (That's one of the nicer-looking Bron rookies that has both good eye appeal and decent price. I almost pulled the trigger on a Bron Topps Collection which has a nice photo but he's in a practice jersey, and the Bazooka red jersey one would be good if it had a better shot of his face. I don't even recognize him in the otherwise-nice Fleer Tradition card.)

Re Star Co. stuff:
Way back when I bought a 84 #101 during the first run-up craze ('92), and I like the truer red colors in that issue, but was eventually unsatisified with the photo image. (What the heck is going on with his mouth/lips/tongue there?) The 84-86 Star photos are almost all either unsatisfactory or paired with clashy border colors and/or odd promotions. (The photo on the Crunch n Munch, the same for the Lite, is fine, but...) The '86 #117 would be a key exception, and if that were the '84 #101 photo it would be ridiculously in-demand. The 5x7 cards of him at the '85 slam dunk contest are (a) 5x7's, and (b) not the best shots of him face-wise. Even the 84 #288 has his face in his arm shadow. The #195 is a great photo but not in an NBA/Bulls jersey.

Some folks have brought up the 88 AS #120 as an iconic photo of MJ on a card, and I guess if photos from dunk contests rather than game action are your thing, then great.

[GOATcards]

Originally Posted by Slvnumber2

The other thing to note is the excitement for Jordan has died down big time. Just look at this thread as an example. Two weeks ago we were seeing 3-5+ pages a day on this thread, and now you are seeing maybe 1-2 pages a day at best. Interest and excitement in Jordan is definitely down as are Jordan prices.

LOL, more like the excitement has gone from outright euphoria at the prices jumping like crazy, "down" to merely pretty amazing levels of interest.

[GOATcards]

Originally Posted by kefskala

If there a way to put members on block so ones’ blood pressure doesn’t go up when reading their gibberish.... thanks

I find it a hoot. I've seen the word "cesspool" get used in certain threads here, but this is nothing cesspool-wise compared to twitter.

[FT35]

Good stuff right there. I think, historically speaking, the NBA was a different league after the ‘87 slam dunk contest—pictured on ‘88F 120. He was already growing in popularity, but that moment solidified Jordan in the eyes of ALL as the premier athlete of our time. From there, he broke every barrier and took stardom to places we never thought possible. “Air” Jordan became bigger than both basketball and sport as “the man who could fly.” As a result, the NBA exploded in popularity worldwide. ‘88F 120 was the split-second moment right before everything was about to change.

[GOATcards]

Soooo. . . . how about the aesthetics of the #57 on its own merits? Great photo, but a couple things:

1) Fleer skimped on the color dyes. Even the "boldest color" 57s aren't true red like on the Star issues. I want the deep red colors I associate with my memory of the '93 Finals (e.g. the photo on his '93 Ultra #30 - https://www.google.com/search?q=jordan+1993+ultra+30 ).

2) Lots of variations that don't seem to affect prices as long as they're in the right grading company holder. I remember seeing a BGS 9.5 in person and the first thing that jumped out at me was the fuzzy lettering in "Chicago" which usually goes with the almost literally orange coloring of the jersey. Then there's the ones with the huge fish-eye right next to his face. Some of those even appear in PSA 9 holders.

Anyway, I don't get how anyone could lay down #500K for a PSA 10 where the "red" in the border looks orange compared to the red in the grading flip, unless they were price-speculating. I couldn't stand to look at it, as a collector.

(Other unacceptably orange issues: 88F #17, and the 88 Starting Lineup which is otherwise a great photo. Also the 89 Hoops looks nice photo and color-wise, but . . . "junk era".)

[GOATcards]

Originally Posted by FT35

Good stuff right there. I think, historically speaking, the NBA was a different league after the ‘87 slam dunk contest—pictured on ‘88F 120. He was already growing in popularity, but that moment solidified Jordan in the eyes of ALL as the premier athlete of our time. From there, he broke every barrier and took stardom to places we never thought possible. “Air” Jordan became bigger than both basketball and sport as “the man who could fly.” As a result, the NBA exploded in popularity worldwide. ‘88F 120 was the split-second moment right before everything was about to change.

Around '89-90 Bo Jackson was there with MJ as the premier athlete in pro sports. Then he got injured of course. In football, of course.

[Publius]

At this point I'm waiting for the 1994 Upper Deck Johnny Kilroy to take off big time. Holla if you are an OG collector and know what I'm talking about.

[vintg]

Originally Posted by GOATcards

Any idea on why MJ's 1987 sticker isn't more loved and sought after compared to the other issues that are all the rage? It's hardly been mentioned in this thread.

This issue is beset by yellow fish-eye defects, making PSA 10s nearly impossible (only 24 in existence!). And the 10 that's up for auction at REA (https://bid.robertedwardauctions.com...e?itemid=75527) has the yellow specks on the border and a noticeable fish-eye on MJ's shorts.

Hard to do better than the photo on the '86 #57 but I notice that the colors on the '87 Fleer issues are bolder/truer. One thing about this sticker is that it seems rather hard to find in a true square-cut and fully centered. They're usually off to the right to varying degrees, and with the red stripes on the right side wider at the bottom than at the top. And of course all the yellow print marks. An issue that could drive the OCD people nuts.

well, you pretty much nailed it.

I looked...and looked some more, into these, could not for the life of me get a
real good handle on the centering, and gave up.

did indeed drive my OCD nuts. LOL

come to find out, its a relative "known" fact for this card.

[interestingcool]

Originally Posted by GOATcards

Soooo. . . . how about the aesthetics of the #57 on its own merits? Great photo, but a couple things:

1) Fleer skimped on the color dyes. Even the "boldest color" 57s aren't true red like on the Star issues. I want the deep red colors I associate with my memory of the '93 Finals (e.g. the photo on his '93 Ultra #30 - https://www.google.com/search?q=jordan+1993+ultra+30 ).

2) Lots of variations that don't seem to affect prices as long as they're in the right grading company holder. I remember seeing a BGS 9.5 in person and the first thing that jumped out at me was the fuzzy lettering in "Chicago" which usually goes with the almost literally orange coloring of the jersey. Then there's the ones with the huge fish-eye right next to his face. Some of those even appear in PSA 9 holders.

Anyway, I don't get how anyone could lay down #500K for a PSA 10 where the "red" in the border looks orange compared to the red in the grading flip, unless they were price-speculating. I couldn't stand to look at it, as a collector.

(Other unacceptably orange issues: 88F #17, and the 88 Starting Lineup which is otherwise a great photo. Also the 89 Hoops looks nice photo and color-wise, but . . . "junk era".)

As far as the color dyes... why would you say the skimped? Who says they intended the 86 Fleers to be bold red but skimped so we ended up with something less? Maybe it's the exact hue and saturation they intended.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by FT35

Good stuff right there. I think, historically speaking, the NBA was a different league after the ‘87 slam dunk contest—pictured on ‘88F 120. He was already growing in popularity, but that moment solidified Jordan in the eyes of ALL as the premier athlete of our time. From there, he broke every barrier and took stardom to places we never thought possible. “Air” Jordan became bigger than both basketball and sport as “the man who could fly.” As a result, the NBA exploded in popularity worldwide. ‘88F 120 was the split-second moment right before everything was about to change.

Not really. The 1989 Playoffs were when Jordan became a superstar. The shot against the 3 seed Cavs to win the deciding game on the road. Then upsetting the 2 seed Knicks. Then winning game 1 in Detroit and pushing the Pistons to 6 games in the ECF. The NBA is about rings and it was the first time you felt Jordan was going to take the next step and bring championships to Chicago.

[FT35]

Originally Posted by rats60

Not really. The 1989 Playoffs were when Jordan became a superstar. The shot against the 3 seed Cavs to win the deciding game on the road. Then upsetting the 2 seed Knicks. Then winning game 1 in Detroit and pushing the Pistons to 6 games in the ECF. The NBA is about rings and it was the first time you felt Jordan was going to take the next step and bring championships to Chicago.

All great moments. Maybe he was just a superstar in MY heart after that famous dunk contest title! Lol. I felt like that’s when we at least started seeing him everywhere—like life-size cardboard cutouts at the grocery, school lunchrooms, malls—everywhere.

[rainmaker]

Grew up a Chicago boy and I can say at least for me and my friends, who were mainly blackhawks and Cubs or Sox fans, it was around 88/89 when mj became the true talk of the town. We were still reeling from 85 bears win and the cubbies were solid in the late 80s. I first bought packs and got excited about the bulls with 88 fleer. In the city at least it was before the cavs series. Once Phil took over then it became huge and after the blazers series in 92 and the Olympics it became global. What a time to grow up in Chicago I feel so blessed to live and breath that as it happened.

[bruin805]

Originally Posted by FT35

Good stuff right there. I think, historically speaking, the NBA was a different league after the ‘87 slam dunk contest—pictured on ‘88F 120. He was already growing in popularity, but that moment solidified Jordan in the eyes of ALL as the premier athlete of our time. From there, he broke every barrier and took stardom to places we never thought possible. “Air” Jordan became bigger than both basketball and sport as “the man who could fly.” As a result, the NBA exploded in popularity worldwide. ‘88F 120 was the split-second moment right before everything was about to change.

It's the 1988 dunk contest pictured on the card.

[FT35]

Originally Posted by bruin805

It's the 1988 dunk contest pictured on the card.

Why did I even say this?! I’ll fix it! Thanks!

[GOATcards]

Originally Posted by interestingcool

As far as the color dyes... why would you say the skimped? Who says they intended the 86 Fleers to be bold red but skimped so we ended up with something less? Maybe it's the exact hue and saturation they intended.

Compared to the Star Co. issues as well as their own '87 issues, they skimped.

[kefskala]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

Grew up a Chicago boy and I can say at least for me and my friends, who were mainly blackhawks and Cubs or Sox fans, it was around 88/89 when mj became the true talk of the town. We were still reeling from 85 bears win and the cubbies were solid in the late 80s. I first bought packs and got excited about the bulls with 88 fleer. In the city at least it was before the cavs series. Once Phil took over then it became huge and after the blazers series in 92 and the Olympics it became global. What a time to grow up in Chicago I feel so blessed to live and breath that as it happened.

Rainmaker, read your bio a few different times on other threads. Pretty impressive that you were able to follow your dream of purchasing a vineyard with the assistance of selling cards. are you located in east coast or west coast? I was a grape crusher many years ago when I would visit my grandfather in Greece. Fond memories, stepping on them with 1000 yellow jackets buzzing around use. More people should write about how selling their collection to better them selves. Takes extreme discipline and planning and not spending it on vanity items....good for you but you knew what you where doing....

[GOATcards]

Originally Posted by FT35

All great moments. Maybe he was just a superstar in MY heart after that famous dunk contest title! Lol. I felt like that’s when we at least started seeing him everywhere—like life-size cardboard cutouts at the grocery, school lunchrooms, malls—everywhere.

For me it was the Sports Illustrated video (ah, VHS...) 'Come Fly With Me: 1990.' Probably not coincidentally, it was at pretty much exactly the same time as the 1st Beckett BK issue.

He really became huge, card-values-wise, with the '92 repeat championship win.

I prefer this image to the 88F #120 one since it's more face-on:

[drobfan8]

Why is it that when there is a new Jordan guy on this froum they're always all about the Star Jordan over the Fleer?

What's the go?

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by kefskala

Rainmaker, read your bio a few different times on other threads. Pretty impressive that you were able to follow your dream of purchasing a vineyard with the assistance of selling cards. are you located in east coast or west coast? I was a grape crusher many years ago when I would visit my grandfather in Greece. Fond memories, stepping on them with 1000 yellow jackets buzzing around use. More people should write about how selling their collection to better them selves. Takes extreme discipline and planning and not spending it on vanity items....good for you but you knew what you where doing....

Thanks! Yes grapes are fun and all the better they taste really good once they ferment! I am located on the west coast would go into more detail through pm if you have any other questions. Cheers

[GOATcards]

How big was MJ as of '88? He won the MVP (and was Defensive POY) and the dunk contest, but in '88 I was of the age, and it was the right era for it, that I was into WWF wrestling. And it was Hulk Hogan that beat him out for the Nickelodeon Kid's Choice award for best male athlete.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_K..._Awards#Sports

lol:

[Mustang1990]

Originally Posted by GOATcards

The one on Goldin right now is a BGS 9.5 (https://goldinauctions.com/1987_88_F...-LOT79451.aspx) - this also has an obvious yellow fish-eye on the jersey - and the PSA 10 I know of is at REA which I linked above.

heres the psa 10 sticker on goldin
https://goldinauctions.com/1986_87_F...-LOT79192.aspx

also, take a look at this one that includes the psa 10 jordan as well as the rest of the sticker set all in psa 10!!
https://goldinauctions.com/1986_87_F...-LOT76952.aspx

just wait till this spring auction ends in 3 weeks.... if the national media isnt all over this prior to the ending, once everything hammers down with INSANE numbers on some of these cards than they will be.... there are at least 4-5 cards that will go over $1ml / each i would think

[rats60]

Originally Posted by FT35

All great moments. Maybe he was just a superstar in MY heart after that famous dunk contest title! Lol. I felt like that’s when we at least started seeing him everywhere—like life-size cardboard cutouts at the grocery, school lunchrooms, malls—everywhere.

In April of 1988 Jordan's RC was worth maybe 1.00. After the 1989 playoffs it was 50.00+.

[FT35]

Originally Posted by rats60

In April of 1988 Jordan's RC was worth maybe 1.00. After the 1989 playoffs it was 50.00+.

That is awesome! Truth be told...the first Jordan card that I ever pulled from a pack was the ‘88F 120. I was 8 and the ‘88F packs were on clearance at a Hooks drug store for $0.28. I only picked up 3 of them from a nearly full box so I could have enough $ left to buy more ‘89 Topps baseball of course. I took them to the register where my grandma (a huge Bulls fan way before it was cool) took them from me and said, “I’ll buy those for you, maybe you’ll get a Michael Jordan card.” I did, and it turned out to be my favorite card of his to this day.

[GOATcards]

Originally Posted by Mustang1990

heres the psa 10 sticker on goldin
https://goldinauctions.com/1986_87_F...-LOT79192.aspx

I was referring to the '87 sticker.

[rueben21]

I looked at the Jordan's I posted about last night in the screw down. Under a magnify glass, you could see a very faint darker red marker or something. Hard to see on the pictures. Not sure if that is from screw down or not. Looked at some other 86 Fleer cards I have and couldn't see that on them. Think PSA would reject then?