Signed Jackie Robinson Rookie Card Sets $1.86M Record

Signed Jackie Robinson Rookie Card Sets New Record

One of only five signed examples of Jackie Robinson’s 1948-49 Leaf rookie card sold for $1.86 million on Friday, establishing a new public record for any card of the baseball icon.

Fanatics Collect handled the sale as part of a broader high-end auction that featured several notable results across baseball, soccer and basketball collectibles.

The card itself was graded Poor 1 by PSA, but the autograph received an 8 grade, a combination that helped make the piece one of the most significant Jackie Robinson cards ever offered publicly.

Other Major Results In The Fanatics Collect Auction

The Jackie Robinson card was not the only headline item in the auction. A 1958 Alifabolaget Pelé rookie card graded PSA 9 sold for $1.17 million, while a 1998 Upper Deck Game Jersey Michael Jordan patch autograph card numbered to 23 and graded BGS 9 brought $480,000.

The results underscored continued demand for elite vintage and modern cards tied to some of the most recognizable names in sports history.

Soccer Auction Delivers Big Prices For Yamal, Messi And Pelé

With the World Cup now in the rearview mirror, soccer cards still drew major attention in Goldin’s Global Football Auction Part 2 on Saturday night. The top sale was a 1-of-1 2023-24 Panini Donruss FIFA Kaboom! Black Lamine Yamal rookie card, which sold for $707,600 and set a new public sale record for any Yamal card.

A 2023-24 Panini Donruss FIFA Kaboom! Gold Yamal rookie card numbered 08/10 also performed strongly, realizing $189,100.

Other notable results from the auction included:

• 1958 Americana Balas Campeonato #32 Pelé rookie card, PSA GD 2 (MK), the only example on the PSA population report, sold for $610,000, an all-time high for the card.
• 2023-24 Topps Chrome Sapphire Edition UCC Image Variation Padparadscha Lionel Messi sold for $317,200.
• 2022 Panini Eminence Patch Autographs Platinum Messi signed patch card sold for $246,440.
• 2004-05 Panini Megacracks La Liga LMessi signed rookie card, graded BGS 9.5/10, sold for $219,600.

The auction added another strong chapter to the ongoing market for premium soccer cards, especially those tied to Yamal, Messi and Pelé.

Wilt Chamberlain Warmup Jacket Heads Back To Southern California

A 1970s Wilt Chamberlain warmup jacket that made headlines earlier this year after being discovered in a Goodwill bin in Oregon for just three dollars has now been auctioned for $89,600.

The jacket is headed back to Southern California after the sale. David Kohler, founder of SCP Auctions and owner of what he describes as the largest collection of historic Lakers memorabilia on the planet, told SC Daily that he purchased the jacket through the recent Sotheby’s auction.

The unusual path from a thrift-store bin to a five-figure result made the item one of the more memorable memorabilia stories of the year.

Milwaukee Card Shop Plans Downtown Flagship Near Fiserv Forum

A new card shop is coming to downtown Milwaukee near the home of the Bucks. Mitch’s Cards will become the first commercial tenant at Fieldhouse Flats, where it is scheduled to open a flagship location in early 2028.

The announcement marks the first retail commitment for the mixed-use development, which is expected to bring new housing, commercial space and community amenities to Deer District, one of Wisconsin’s most prominent sports and entertainment districts.

The 2,500-square-foot store will be located near Fiserv Forum and will be the company’s first downtown Milwaukee location. Mitch’s already operates a store in the Milwaukee suburbs.

According to the announcement, the new shop will include a modern retail showroom, dedicated event space, product releases, athlete appearances, trade nights and community events.

“Opening our downtown Milwaukee flagship location represents an exciting new chapter for Mitch’s Cards,” said Mitch Reid, owner of Mitch’s Sports Cards. “We’re excited to become part of Deer District and create a place where collectors of all ages can connect through the hobby. This location allows us to expand our reach while creating unforgettable customer experiences and celebrating Milwaukee’s incredible sports culture.”

More Collectibles News Around The Hobby

The latest auction results and retail announcements show how broad the collectibles market remains, with demand spanning iconic baseball cards, modern soccer rookies, game-used memorabilia and new brick-and-mortar hobby spaces.

High-end sales continue to reward rare, well-preserved cards and unique pieces with strong provenance, while new shop openings point to continued growth at the local level as collectors look for places to buy, trade and gather.