Jordan, Kobe photos lead Goldin Fall Photo Auction sales

Jordan and Kobe photos headline Goldin’s Fall Photo Auction

Original Type 1 photos of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant drew the biggest attention in Goldin’s Fall Photo Auction, with several iconic images from both stars posting strong results. The sale underscored how important original photography has become in the sports collectibles market, especially when the image is tied to a defining moment from a player’s career.

Among the top lots was a Sept. 29, 1996 Kobe Bryant signed and inscribed pre-rookie photo from his earliest Lakers photo shoot. The image sold for $65,011, setting a public-sale record for any Kobe Bryant photo.

Michael Jordan photos post major results

Jordan also had multiple standout sales in the auction. A signed Type I photo of his iconic foul-line dunk from the 1988 NBA Dunk Contest sold for $179,340. The image remains one of the most recognizable photographs in basketball history, and the result reflected that enduring appeal.

Another Jordan highlight was a Type I photo of his famous “Tears of Triumph” image from his first NBA title. The one-of-a-kind photo by Ken Levine shows Jordan clutching the 1991 NBA championship trophy while weeping with his father, James Jordan. It sold for $25,648.

A third Michael Jordan signed Type I original photo, showing a dunk at United Center from 1996, brought $29,890.

Other notable basketball and sports photo sales

The auction also featured several other important sports images that reached strong prices across multiple eras of collecting.

• A Sept. 10, 1989 photo of Barry Sanders’ NFL debut sold for $10,370, a record for a Sanders photo.
• A 1957 Jim Brown photo used for his 1958 Topps rookie card sold for $146,400.
• A historic 1946 Jackie Robinson Montreal Royals Type I original photo from Robinson’s minor league integration season sold for $40,260.
• A May 12, 1955 Roberto Clemente rookie Type I original photo sold for $27,755.
• A 1930s Bobby Jones Type I original photo inscribed to fellow golfer Dick Metz, which hangs at the USGA Museum and Augusta National Golf Club, sold for $25,132.

Why original photos continue to command attention

Original Type 1 photos have become a major segment of the hobby because they connect collectors directly to the source material behind some of sports history’s most famous images. In this auction, the strongest results came from photos tied to signature moments, milestone debuts, and images that later became part of broader sports culture.

Jordan’s Dunk Contest image, his championship celebration photo, and Bryant’s pre-rookie Lakers shoot all fit that profile. Each one carries significance beyond the player name alone, with the visual history helping drive collector demand.

Related coverage includes Michael Jordan Dunk Photo Sells for $179,340 as Kobe Bryant Image Sets Public-Sale Record.

The auction also showed how strong the market remains for early images of legendary athletes across basketball, football, baseball, and golf. From Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente to Jim Brown and Barry Sanders, the results reflected continued interest in original photos that document key moments in sports history.