Basketball

Kings of Chicago: Signed Walter Payton & Michael Jordan Rookies!

Walter Payton was the top athlete in Chicago a decade before Michael Jordan took over the NBA. Both athletes would be considered Chicago royalty of there ever was such a thing. Both men are also the most widely recognized face of their sports franchises, and every collector knows these players well. Both of these men are also considered to be GOATs of sorts by their own right.

There is an upcoming auction by Heritage Auctions that hosts many autographed cards and bidders have a chance to own autographed rookie cards of Walter Payton and of Michael Jordan.

WALTER PAYTON

The 1976 Topps Walter Payton #148 is unchallenged for a rookie card status. Heritage has a clean Beckett authenticated and slabbed rookie card of Payton up for grabs. The guide value or estimate was put at “$15,000 – up.” The current bid was shown to be $4,200.00, or $5,040.00 after the buyer’s premium.

According to Heritage:

In the thirteen seasons following his first round acquisition in the 1975 NFL draft, this superstar running back refashioned the record books in his image, claiming the top ranking in a vast array of career categories including rushing yards, touchdowns, carries, yards from scrimmage, all-purpose yards and more. His coach and a Hall of Fame player in his own right, Mike Ditka, called Payton the greatest football player he’d ever seen, but an even greater human being. Today the annual award presented to the NFL player offering the greatest service to his community fittingly bears Payton’s name. Offered is a brilliant blue marker signature of Sweetness on his 1976 Topps rookie card. Certified BAS Authentic Autograph.

Walter Payton rookie auto

Image by Heritage Auctions

The most valuable card that Heritage has ever sold of Walter Payton was for $228,000.00. It was a perfect 100 score SGC graded example on February 27, 2021. The next highest price for a Payton rookie card from Heritage was a perfect PSA 10 example for $36,000 back on November 18, 2021. The only other signed football card of Payton from Heritage was a 1999 SP Authentic Walter Payton (Game Jersey-Autograph) PSA NM-MT 8, PSA/DNA Auto 10, selling for $11,100.00 on November 18, 2021.

MICHAEL JORDAN

Most collectors think of the 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan #57 as his rookie card. There is another red card which many collectors have chased because it pre-dates the Fleer card. Heritage is selling a signed 1985 Star Co. Michael Jordan (1984 Gold Medalist) #195 graded by Beckett as BAS Auto 9.

It’s guide value or estimate is also “$15,000 – up.” The last bid was $4,400.00 after 8 bids.

According to Heritage:

The 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan card is the most widely desired basketball card in the industry and is recognized as his “official” rookie card. What many don’t realize is that at least a year before the landmark Fleer edition, Star Co. produced a comprehensive basketball production that included appearances by the Greatest of All Time, Michael Jordan. While Jordan has never been known as a generous signer, knowledgeable collectors will tell you that he’s tightened the reins significantly over the past six or seven years, and rumors abound that he will unfailingly refuse to autograph trading cards, presumably a condition of his contract with Upper Deck. Long story short, the population of signed rookies isn’t likely to grow, while the price almost certainly will. Offered is a fantastic blue maker signed 1985 Star Co. Michael Jordan in his Team USA jersey where he won the 1984 gold medal. Certified and graded BAS Auto 9. Also, comes with Upper Deck Certificate and Sticker #UAS24397.

Jordan Star rookie auto

Image by Heritage Auctions

AND THE OTHER TOP SIGNED CARDS

Collectors Dashboard has tracked multiple signed cards for the same auction. Here are some of the top featured auctions that Heriatge has shown:

  • 2007 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection LeBron James (Number Pieces) #EN-LJ PSA Gem Mint 10, Auto 10 – #’d 15/23 – Pop 1
  • 2003 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Kobe Bryant (Limited Logos Autograph) #LL-KB Beckett – #’d 59/75
  • Signed 1994 Upper Deck Mickey Mantle & Ken Griffey Jr. PSA/DNA Auto Authentic 9
  • 2001 Upper Deck Tiger Woods (Player’s Ink) #TW PSA Gem Mint 10, Auto 10
  • 2015 Upper Deck The Cup Connor McDavid (Honorable Numbers Rookies) #HNR-CM BGS Gem Mint 9.5, Auto 10 – Missing Serial Number
  • 2017 Panini Contenders Optic Patrick Mahomes II (Rookie Ticket Autograph) #103 BGS NM 7, Auto 9
  • 2020 Panini Chronicles Draft Picks Justin Herbert (Donruss Optic Rated Rookies Autograph-Green) #2 PSA Gem Mint 10 – #1/5

This auction ends at 10:00 PM Central on January 28, 2022.