The world of collectibles has found a new treasure trove in the form of graded magazines, with Sports Illustrated issues taking the spotlight. One company leading the charge in this niche market is Certified Collectibles Group (CGC), which has been diligently grading magazines for over a decade and a half. With an impressive tally of more than 28,000 Sports Illustrated magazines under its belt, CGC has become a significant player in the preservation and valuation of these historical pieces related to the sports world.
While the market for graded magazines has been steadily growing, a recent development may catapult it to new heights. The current record holder for the priciest graded magazine—a 9.8 rated copy of the December 10, 1984 issue of Sports Illustrated featuring basketball icon Michael Jordan—is now facing a potential challenge. In a groundbreaking move, CGC bestowed a perfect 9.9 grade on a December 2022 edition of Sports Illustrated showcasing soccer sensation Kylian Mbappé just ahead of the 2022 World Cup. This pristine magazine, brought in by a collector from the Midwest, is now the first-ever Sports Illustrated issue to achieve the coveted 9.9 rating. The buzz surrounding this exceptional piece has prompted its listing in an auction via the esteemed house Goldin, which has recognized the allure and value of graded magazines by dedicating a category solely for such items.
Delving deeper into the allure of these graded magazines, Goldin’s Director of Vintage Memorabilia and Photography highlights their appeal to not only sports enthusiasts but also those with an eye for quality photography. Given the noteworthy photographers who have contributed to the iconic covers of Sports Illustrated over the years, these graded issues hold a broad appeal to collectors of various backgrounds.
The featured magazine with Kylian Mbappé gracing its cover is not the sole gem up for grabs at the ongoing auction. Among the other noteworthy items are a 1965 Topps Mickey Mantle card rated at 8.5, a rare 1956 Floyd Patterson card graded at 9.0, a 1989 SI for Kids edition spotlighting Michael Jordan with a grade of 9.6, and a signed 1967 Muhammad Ali cover.
Despite the prevalence of sales on platforms like eBay, where a plethora of graded magazines are listed, dedicated auctions yield some of the most prestigious transactions in this arena. For instance, a CGC 9.6 rated issue featuring soccer icon Pele from 1975 fetched a staggering $25,000 in March 2023, while a Mike Tyson cover graded at 9.0 from 1986 commanded over $11,000 in the previous year. Of notable mention are the top eBay sales over the past year, with Michael Jordan adorning the covers of four out of the top six highest-priced graded Sports Illustrated magazines. This trend underscores the evergreen popularity of the basketball legend in the realm of collectibles.
The surge in interest surrounding graded magazines symbolizes the evolving landscape of collectibles, catering to a diverse range of enthusiasts and investors alike. As the market expands, these meticulously graded magazines are not just artifacts of the past but also lucrative assets for those with a keen eye for sports memorabilia.
