Above the Mantel: Caitlin Clark dominates the week’s massive auctions

[ad_1] Hey Collectors,

The WNBA season is underway and all eyes are on Caitlin Clark- on the court docket, and at public sale. This week SEVEN of her finest 1/1s playing cards are on the block, from her 2024 Panini Prizm Draft Picks Black Auto to her 2024 Panini Prizm WNBA Throwback Signatures White Sparkle.

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It’s uncommon for this many mega-cards of 1 athlete to land at public sale on the identical time, says Mantel’s personal Mike Metzler. However it’s a testomony to the hype surrounding Clark, and a bunch of sellers using an analogous technique … promote earlier than that hype has an opportunity to fade. As Rhomel Joshue Gutierrez (aka GucciRips), collector and present proprietor of the Prizm Draft Picks Black Auto mentioned, "If somebody instructed you that you might return in time and purchase one in all LeBron James’ finest rookie playing cards, would you do it?”

Which begs the query: are these collectors promoting too quickly?

by way of NYT/Getty Photographs

The “Corridor of Excellence,” opening June 20 on the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, is a brand new memorabilia museum based by Tom Brady and broadcaster Jim Grey. That includes almost 300 gadgets, the gathering pulls closely from Brady’s and Grey’s private archives and consists of cultural and sports activities milestones like Michael Jordan’s first Air Jordans, a Jackie Robinson bat from 1947, Tiger Woods’ 1997 Masters ball, and Oprah Winfrey’s Presidential Medal of Freedom. With narration from Morgan Freeman and different notable voices, the museum guarantees to mix popular culture and sports activities historical past into an immersive, self-guided expertise designed to showcase the tales and objects behind moments of iconic achievement.

by way of The Realest

The Realest is spotlighting Tony Gwynn with a high-profile memorabilia public sale that includes key artifacts from the Corridor of Famer’s legendary profession. Headliners embrace his 1987 and 1994 Silver Bat Awards (bidding at $10K and $11K), the latter tied to his near-.400 season earlier than the strike. Additionally up for grabs: his 1991 Gold Glove Award, a reminder of his defensive prowess, milestone baseballs from his 2000th hit and his 2 hundredth hit of the record-setting 1987 season, full with handwritten notes. The public sale runs by June 1 and affords a uncommon glimpse into the Gwynn household’s archive.

A Michael Jordan game-worn jersey from the 1992–93 season bought for $2.6M at Heritage Auctions this previous weekend. Jordan wore the uniform in a minimum of 17 video games throughout a championship-winning season that additionally earned him the scoring title. The jersey is notably featured on the Oct. 18, 1993 cowl of "Sports activities Illustrated." Whereas spectacular, the sale worth is nicely under the $10M fetched by Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals “Final Dance” jersey, which bought in 2022.

Al Capone’s customized platinum Patek Philippe pocket watch, famously retrofitted with 90 diamond-set “AC” initials, is headed to Sotheby’s with an estimate of $80,000 to $160,000. Initially bought in 2021 for $229,900, the watch blends gangster lore with early aftermarket customization, making it a standout crossover of classic horology and pop-culture memorabilia. Whereas the dial is worn and lacking a minute hand, the stable platinum case and bespoke gem-setting — a rarity on the time — seize Capone’s aptitude for the extravagant. It’s not only a timepiece, it’s a heavyweight relic of favor, standing, and street-level innovation.

Buying and selling playing cards that includes iconic recreation present hosts are carving out their very own area of interest in popular culture accumulating, per this enjoyable story from SI. Bob Barker’s 1991 Starline Hollywood card, usually signed and graded, celebrates his legacy on The Worth Is Proper. Passionate collector Scott Rogowsky’s quirky HQ Trivia fame is captured in 2018 Topps Allen & Ginter autos ($35–$75) and a parody twin auto with G.A.S. Buying and selling Playing cards (~$100). Michael Strahan’s crossover enchantment pushes his 2021 Panini Absolute Kaboom! card to $500+. In the meantime, TV veterans Bob Eubanks and Chuck Woolery each have signed playing cards in Donruss Americana, sometimes priced at $65–$75. Loads of good choices on the market for a card collector who usually parks in entrance of the TV at 7:00PM for an evening of gameshow watching.