This lot closes on May 23rd, 2021 at 10:00 PM EDT for initial bids.

Buried under all the accomplishments, all the accolades, it is almost easy to miss that the late Kobe Bryant once scored a staggering 81 points in a game. Bryant ran roughshod over the Toronto Raptors during their January 22nd, 2006 game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, stunning a sold-out home crowd with a performance for the ages. Bryant, who would go on to win the NBA scoring title in 2006, gave no hints as to his intentions when he entered the half scoring 14 points in the first quarter and 12 in the second, with the Lakers trailing by 18 points early in the third quarter. Bryant would explode on the Raptors after Toronto extended their halftime lead of 63-49 to 71-53, scored 27 points in the third quarter and 28 points in the fourth quarter, single-handedly outscoring the Raptors during the last 24 minutes 55-41. Bryant hit an astounding 28 out of 46 shots, hit an impressive 7 out of 13 from behind the arc, and sunk 18 out of 20 free throws, all done amidst a crowd spiritedly chanting “M-V-P! M-V-P!” Bryant’s 81 points in a single game are second to former Los Angeles Laker Wilt Chamberlain, who scored 100 points in a game against the New York Knicks while he played for the Philadelphia Warriors on March 2nd, 1962. Bryant, whose accomplishments include 5 NBA titles, two Finals MVP Awards, one NBA MVP honor, and two scoring titles, 18 consecutive NBA All-Star selections and four All-Star MVP Awards, will be forever enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.

Presented here is a Kobe Bryant “81 Points” first day cover signed by legendary future Hall of Famer, Kobe Bryant. The 9 3/8 x 4-inch first day cover features images of Bryant during the game taking a shot, dunking, and celebrating after a basket set against a yellow backdrop that features an image of Bryant and the number “81”. “KOBE BRYANT” is labeled on the top left corner in black and white, with “81 POINTS” appearing on the bottom right corner. A 39 cent stamp is affixed to the top right corner, with a postal cancellation stamp labeled “LOS ANGELES CA JAN 22 2006 90052” across a portion of the stamp. Bryant signed the top center of the first day cover next to his celebratory image with a black marker. The signature is bold, and the first day cover displays early evidence of cornering. The Kobe Bryant “81 Points” first day cover signed by Bryant comes with a COA from Panini (PA43577) for the signature.

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