In the expansive universe of sports memorabilia, where the extraordinary meets the stupendous, an incredible sale has just rewritten the tapestry of basketball collecting history. A singular relic from 2009 has managed to dance across the golden threshold of a million dollars, uniting two titans of the sport in monetary reverence. This is no ordinary piece of memorabilia; it embodies the spirit, skill, and sheer magic of NBA legends, LeBron James and the late, great Kobe Bryant.
This isn’t just any card. This precious collectible, the 2009 Upper Deck Exquisite Dual Logoman Autograph card, earned an awe-inspiring sale price of $1,161,440, a figure that includes the buyer’s premium. The card emerged as the gleaming jewel of Goldin Auctions’ 2025 Spring Elite Auction, captivating bidders with its dual on-card autographs and exquisite NBA Logoman patches, symbolizing the iconography most recognized by fans of the hardwood realm.
While the card proudly displays a grading of PSA 6.5, a score reflective not of its lack of desirability but rather of its well-loved age and substantial thickness, the value it holds transcends mere numbers. For fans, collectors, and historians of the game, such nuances are eclipsed by the card’s emotional and cultural significance. It stands as not merely a collector’s prize but a tangible connection to two athletes whose careers are enshrined in gold.
Interest in this card was high, not only for its unique status as a one-of-a-kind item but because it immortalizes the essence and legacy of Kobe Bryant, whose life and achievements have garnered even more admiration since his tragic departure from this world in 2020. Indeed, Bryant’s signature has gained sacred status in the memorabilia community, and any chance to own something he personally touched commands fierce competition.
Goldin Auctions, known far and wide for curating and auctioning coveted artifacts of sports history, witnessed bidding-war intensity as 11 collectors vied for the piece before it ultimately settled at its jaw-dropping final price. Yet, despite its astronomical value, another James-Bryant card retains the crown for the most expensive of its ilk. In August 2022, a 2006 Upper Deck Exquisite Triple Logoman card, showcasing LeBron, Kobe, and the immortal Michael Jordan, sold for an even more eye-watering $1.68 million.
The prestige surrounding items like these has only been bolstered through Goldin’s historic dealings. In June 2023, another rare find—a dual Logoman autograph from the 2004–05 Upper Deck Exquisite set—fetched $840,000, despite being PSA Authentic but coupled with the immaculate 10 auto grade, underscoring the allure such collectibles perpetuate.
As interest and passion for basketball memorabilia climb to dizzying new heights, this latest sale illuminates more than just a sealed deal. It casts a spotlight on the unfaltering legacy left by LeBron James and Kobe Bryant—two artisanal maestros of the hoop. Their talents, furiously debated and admired, continue to resonate through these exceptional showcase pieces. Such cherished items serve as reminders that their impact on the sport and culture continues unabated.
With each auction, and the declared prices therein, the collectors’ world bears witness to more than monetary transactions. What unfolds is an unabashed celebration of sporting royalty, a homage carved in cardstock, ink, and legend. The prevalence of Kobe Bryant autographs in particular continues to plummet, making such acquisitions not just purchases but coveted conquests in the ever-evolving saga of collecting—a segment where stories, legacies, and legends are bought, sold, and cherished.
As the dust settles on this auction, those with a keen eye for the rare and a hunger for history know there remains a world of treasures still to be discovered. Goldin Auctions and their catalog of riches herald an ongoing narrative that interlaces athletic achievement with the artful allure of the collectible. And so, with each stentorian crack of the auctioneer’s gavel, a new chapter emerges, each no less thrilling than the last, as the legacy of the NBA’s finest continues to blaze its indelible trail through the annals of time.
