The realm of collectibles has reached new heights with the burgeoning interest in graded magazines, particularly when it comes to iconic issues of Sports Illustrated. The Certified Collectibles Group (CGC), known for its meticulous grading standards, has been at the forefront of this trend for the past 15 years. With over 28,000 issues of Sports Illustrated assessed, it's evident that collectors are eyeing these encapsulated pieces of sports history with growing fascination.
In the annals of magazine collecting, a remarkable milestone was achieved with a graded issue of Sports Illustrated hitting a price point previously uncharted. The pinnacle was a 9.8 graded newsstand copy of the December 10, 1984 issue featuring none other than Michael Jordan during his debut with the Chicago Bulls. Titled "A Star is Born," this cover stands among the 2,000+ SI issues graded at 9.8, showcasing the enduring appeal of this basketball legend.
But the record books are on the verge of being rewritten, as a new contender emerges in the world of magazine grading. In a groundbreaking move, CGC bestowed a rare 9.9 grade upon a December 2022 issue of Sports Illustrated spotlighting soccer sensation Kylian Mbappé just before the 2022 World Cup. This unparalleled grade was bestowed upon a magazine submitted by a collector from the Midwest, marking the first SI issue to achieve a 9.9 grade. The spotlight now shines on this exceptional piece as it takes center stage at an auction hosted by Goldin, a platform quick to recognize the surging interest in graded magazines.
The allure of these graded magazines extends beyond sports enthusiasts, drawing in aficionados of photography as well. With celebrated photographers contributing to the iconic covers of Sports Illustrated over the years, these encapsulated pieces represent a blend of sports history and visual artistry, further enhancing their appeal.
The featured issue starring Mbappé comes in two variations, with an alternative cover showcasing the US soccer team. As the bidding war heats up towards the auction's climax on June 8, the highest bid for the Mbappé cover has already soared to an impressive $1,708, indicating a fervent interest in acquiring this rare gem.
Goldin's auction lineup doesn't stop there, offering a range of coveted memorabilia such as a 1965 Topps Mickey Mantle card graded at 8.5, a unique 1956 Floyd Patterson card graded at 9.0, a 1989 SI for Kids edition featuring Michael Jordan graded at 9.6, and a signed Muhammad Ali cover from 1967, to cater to diverse collector interests.
Beyond the realm of online platforms like eBay, where a plethora of graded magazines are traded, dedicated auctions have also become prominent arenas for significant sales. A CGC 9.6 graded issue showcasing soccer icon Pele from 1975 commanded a staggering $25,000 in March 2023, while a 1986 Mike Tyson cover graded at 9.0 fetched over $11,000 last year. Noteworthy is the dominance of Michael Jordan covers in the top-selling graded SIs on eBay, underscoring the enduring magnetism of the basketball superstar among collectors.
The surge in popularity of graded magazines unveils the diverse facets of collector interest and underscores the expanding horizons of sports memorabilia as a coveted investment avenue. As these encapsulated slices of sports history continue to captivate enthusiasts and investors alike, the allure of graded magazines in the collectibles market shows no sign of waning.
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