A 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card signed “aftermarket” sold in a private sale through Goldin Auctions for $2.7 million. According to the auction house, this is a record paid for a card bearing an “aftermarket” signature.
“Aftermarket” signed cards are autographed outside of the card production line; Physically autographed cards are either signed directly on the surface, signed on a hologram sticker which is then placed on the surface of the card, or embedded as cut-out signatures – autographs cut from documents such as checks.
Due to Jordan’s long-standing exclusive deal with Upper Deck, signed Jordan rookie cards have been hard to find for decades outside of the 23 examples Jordan signed for an Upper Deck 20th anniversary buyout promotion in 2006. But Jordan has recently begun doing private signings, most notably on the Fleer rookie card, which are still considered rare.
Goldin Auctions founder and CEO Ken Goldin confirmed through a representative that the card – graded PSA Mint 9 with an autograph grade of 10 – was one of nine signed by Jordan “privately with witnesses” at a 2024 signing.
Another card of this signature (one of three PSA 9s; the other six received PSA 10 grades and, as of June, were not made public) sold through Joopiter, Pharell Williams’ auction house, for $2.5 million in late June. Goldin also confirmed to ESPN that this $2.7 million Jordan is not a resale of the $2.5 million Joopiter card.
“Signed rookie cards from the greatest athletes of all time, like Michael Jordan, represent the pinnacle of sports collectibles,” Goldin said in a statement. “This record-breaking sale is a testament to not only Jordan’s enduring legacy, but also the recognition of post-sale signed cards. […]”.
