2017 Great American Trading Card Auction Ending April 1
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/1/2017
Encapsulated and graded MINT 9 by BGS, with signature graded "10" by Beckett. Michael Jordan has placed a bold, blue marker signature on the obverse of this otherwise unmarked, debut-year card. A sought-after collectible in its own right, the limited-production Star Co. rookie-card portrayal of Jordan presents beautifully. The card's BGS condition report: Centering 8.5, Corners 9, Edges 9.5, Surface 9.5. (Hologram cert. label #UAS19921.)
The 1984-85 Star Company #101 Michael Jordan entry is MJ's first NBA-licensed Rookie Card. Long acknowledged as exceptionally condition-sensitive, this very scarce, original and authentic depiction was distributed only in poly-bagged Star Co. Chicago Bulls "team sets." Production estimates range from a total of 4,000 to 7,000 pieces for the 1984-85 Star Co. NBA set. The company held the NBA Trading Card License from 1983 to 1986; early authenticity concerns have been satisfied in recent years by third-party grading companies, and the Star Co. Jordan cards – among which the offered piece is the most prominent – have seen a sustained increase in demand.
The Star #101 Michael Jordan Rookie Card is notorious for centering problems and other issues that make the MINT 9 grade so difficult to achieve. Although BGS does not keep Population Report figures for "signed" #101's, the current Population Report for the MJ #101 card shows just 34 BGS 9's (with only two examples graded higher). Naturally, specimens of this desirable card graded MINT 9 or above are exclusive pieces, and they are very seldom made available for sale in the industry.
A superb item from every perspective, this is quite likely the highest-graded and signed, true Rookie Card of Michael Jordan ever presented at auction. An outstanding offering! (Additional certification from UDA.)
Signed examples in high grade are scarce, with only a very few BGS 8.5 autos known to have sold in the last couple of years. However, the consignor reports that his extensive research revealed no confirmed record of another signed BGS 9 being referenced or coming to market previously. If true, that would make this the only graded BGS 9 auto ever to be offered for sale. Lastly, since the two graded BGS 9.5s are unsigned, it is certain that no Star 101 auto exists in a higher overall grade making this your chance to own the highest overall-graded, signed MJ debut-year rookie card in existence.