In the ever-thriving world of sports memorabilia, certain items stand out like crowned jewels. One such shining gem, a 2009 Upper Deck Exquisite Dual Logoman Autograph card featuring two titans of basketball, LeBron James and the late, great Kobe Bryant, has just stolen the spotlight—and a hefty sum from a collector’s bank account. The rare, supreme-quality card has been sold for an impressive $1,161,440, including buyer’s premium, during the said auction, conducted by Goldin Auctions, a beacon for high-ticket sports collectibles.
What makes this card so special is not only its rarity—being a 1-of-1 edition—but also its star-studded design. Embodying the heroic legacies of James and Bryant, the card features on-card autographs and the coveted NBA Logoman patches, signatures that are the Holy Grail for card enthusiasts. Despite receiving a modest PSA grade of 6.5, with a slightly better PSA 9 for the auto grade, the card triumphed in the auction’s ringing finale, thanks largely to its monumental backing and sheer rarity.
The condition grading might concern purists who prefer their collectibles mint and snug, but this didn’t deter ardent fans of basketball history. It’s the historic allure of LeBron James alongside the late Kobe Bryant, whose memory still shines brilliantly posthumously, that added an emotional layer to the card’s intrinsic value. The universal gasp following Kobe’s untimely passing in 2020 gave anything tied to his name an added sentimental and financial clout.
Part of Goldin’s glittering 2025 Spring Elite Auction, this card aimed to enthrall and it did just that. With a total of 11 eager bids, it arrived at its final towering price, presenting an intense duel of determined collectors. However, this gripping race did not etch it into the annals as the highest-selling item of its kind. That accolade is reserved for a 2006 Upper Deck Exquisite Triple Logoman card. Featuring the heavenly trifecta—LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and the legendary Michael Jordan—it fetched a jaw-dropping $1.68 million in August 2022, revealing another index of desirability in this arena.
Goldin Auctions, no stranger to such grandeur, has consistently floored the sports memorabilia market with gems of similar ilk. A previous dual masterpiece from the 2004–05 Upper Deck Exquisite set featuring both stars harvested a hefty sum of $840,000 back in June 2023, showing a clear trajectory of escalating worth and passion driving this niche.
This particular sale is more than just a financial triumph; it’s a loud statement reflecting the insatiable demand collectors have for such autograph-heavy, memory-laden cards that immortalize legends into miniature art pieces. This dual autograph built its throne on two legendary careers that set records and turned games into must-watch phenomena, offering any owner a slice of that cherished heritage.
As the article closes, it’s imperative to reflect on what this sale represents—a love letter from collectors to the game of basketball. With time, Kobe Bryant’s autographs have become rarer and far more sacred, particularly as fewer genuine articles are available. It’s common knowledge that rarity drives prices, and in the world of collectibles, owning a logoman card adorned with authentic signatures of two of basketball’s greatest icons is akin to securing a beautiful slice of history.
The market assures enthusiasts that the legacies of both LeBron James, still very much alive and dunking, and Kobe Bryant, whose spirit continues to guide budding athletes, are preserved within these precious relics. As collectors continue to fill their treasure troves with pieces of sports history, the stories they tell—of passion, glory, and substantial investments—remain priceless. Through these moments, the narrative of basketball, enriched with tales of individual brilliance and collective grit, continues to capture imaginations and inspire dreams one auction at a time.
