In the bustling world of sports memorabilia, where legendary athletes continue to fuel a feverish pursuit among collectors, a remarkable piece of basketball history just shattered expectations at an auction. The spotlight was on a unique card if not a talismanic relic—the 2009 Upper Deck Exquisite Dual Logoman Autograph card featuring NBA giants LeBron James and the late Kobe Bryant. This exceptional piece of memorabilia found its new owner after being sold for an eye-popping $1,161,440, a price that includes the buyer’s premium, at the Goldin Auctions.
Nestled within its precious card stock lies the significance of rarity and legacy. This one-of-a-kind card comes schmeared with a dollop of nostalgia, boasting on-card autographs and the significant NBA Logoman patches for both athletes, making every aspect of it desirable to collectors. The card, encapsulated and protected by a gleaming slab from PSA, received a grade of 6.5, with the autographs blazoned across it earning an impressive grade of 9. Naturally, for a card birthed over a decade ago and possessing the kind of thickness only a Lasagna connoisseur could admire, the slight dip in condition didn’t deter its value.
The card’s journey through the microscopic eye of industry standards may slightly lower its technical condition rating, but aficionados and investors alike recognize that its sentimental and historic value is of an entirely different league. The enduring mystique of a Kobe Bryant autograph, especially following his untimely departure from the world stage in 2020, cannot be understated. His legacy seems only to fortify with time, driving demand and prices upwards as if trailing the tail of a comet.
It was during Goldin’s storied 2025 Spring Elite Auction that this piece of memorabilia drew eyes and bids aplenty. It captured 11 ardent bids before the hammer fell at its remarkable reach deep into six figures. However, as much as this sale set wallets alight with excitement, it doesn’t quite steal the crown for the priciest James/Bryant duo card ever sold. That accolade yet belongs to an even more exclusive 2006 Upper Deck Exquisite Triple Logoman card which hosted not just LeBron and Kobe, but also his Airness, Michael Jordan. In August 2022, that card rocketed to winning the sheer envy of $1.68 million.
Goldin Auctions, revered for its history of showcasing premier James/Bryant memorabilia, aims to satiate collectors’ appetites with such legendary booty. Previously, in June 2023, they auctioned another dual Logoman card from the golden glimmers of 2004–05 Upper Deck Exquisite. That masterpiece floated to the tune of $840,000, reflecting its PSA Authentic authentication paired with a flawless 10 auto grade.
The bidding battle over this particular dual-signed Logoman card does more than exchange wealth for cardboard and ink; it resonates the unyielding legacy of Bryant and James. These athletes outstripped the confines of mere athletic competition to become cultural fixtures. They exist now not just in arenas but in memories, homes, and particularly in collector vaults, safely housed as cherished relics of an unforgettable basketball era.
Intriguingly, as time propels forward, these autographs form the connective tissue of basketball’s evolving history. With the supply of pristine Kobe autos shrinking faster than loose change from pockets, collectors seem vividly aware of the imperishable satisfaction offered by these relics. Like seeking a grail, those who hold these cards seem to grasp a moment fast slipping away into history’s vast chasm—a half-grin and sunbeam autograph-firmament of basketball royalty.
This sale serves as another testament to James’s still-unfolding story and Bryant’s immortal chapter in sports lore. As enthusiasts place bids and new memorabilia tips the gavel’s weight, the pulsating heart of this hobby beats with stories, legends, and the ever-compelling allure of basketball’s greatest icons.