NEW YORK, NY.- This September, Sotheby’s and Fanatics are set to revolutionize the trading card industry with their inaugural auction, “Holy Grails.” This groundbreaking event will showcase a curated assortment of over 40 of the rarest and most coveted trading cards from the 20th and 21st centuries, celebrating legendary athletes such as Tom Brady, LeBron James, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente and many more.

The“Holy Grails” auction concept pays tribute to the collector community’s profound admiration for these rare and elusive treasures. Collectors often spend years in pursuit of these prized items. Now, in response, Sotheby’s and Fanatics are bringing together the most exceptional and sought-after pieces – the ultimate “Holy Grails” of the collecting world.

In that spirit, the exhibition and auction will be held at the Harlem Parish, a magnificent deconsecrated church on West 118th Street in New York City – a fitting backdrop for these objects of devotion. Sotheby’s and Fanatics will bring the space to life with an immersive exhibition and auction, creating an energized atmosphere evocative of stadium entertainment at the height of refinement and luxury. The exhibition will be open to the public from 23 – 24, with the live auction set to take place on 24 September.

“Holy Grails” is just the latest example of Sotheby’s investment in immersive experiences that redefine the traditional auction landscape. Earlier this year, the watch-collecting community was captivated by ‘Rough Diamonds,’ an auction concept which featured a tightly curated assortment of avant-garde timepieces. The sale was held in an underground wine cellar, with a bespoke public exhibition designed to take full advantage of the unexpected location. In a similar vein, Sotheby’s and Fanatics’ presentation of ‘Holy Grails’ aims to disrupt the status quo in the trading card industry.

“From the outset, our aim was to create an immersive auction experience unlike anything ever seen in the trading card industry,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Modern Collectables. “By choosing the iconic Harlem Parish as our venue and through bold, visual scenography and property displays, we are reimagining what the trading card industry means for collectors and enthusiasts. With this innovative approach, we’re not only shaking up the industry but also bringing cards into today’s modern world in a way that’s truly unprecedented.”

“We’re excited to help build an auction the hobby industry has never seen before: from the creative physical set up, to the incredible cards in the lot to the fans and collectors in attendance,” said Chris Lamontagne, president of Fanatics Collect and Fanatics Live.

Lamontagne went on to note that the crowd will include A-list athletes and celebrities, some of which will possibly be in the cards being offered.

FIRST LOOK: AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS

Chief among the auction’s stacked lineup is a 2005-06 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman Autographs #DLA-JE Michael Jordan and Julius Erving – BGS 8.5/Autograph 10 | 1 of 1 (estimate in excess of $1 million). As a one-of- a-kind item, being the sole copy released for that season and one of only two such cards featuring these basketball legends ever released for Exquisite Collection, it holds a unique position in sports memorabilia. This rarity is further emphasized by the fact that it is one of just eight dual logoman autographs in existence from Exquisite Collection to feature Michael Jordan. The pairing of Jordan and Erving is more than just a historical coincidence; it reflects a shared legacy of athletic prowess and mutual admiration between two transcendent figures in basketball history.

1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente PSA 9 | Rookie Card (est. $800,000 – 1 million)

Of the 10,000 examples of Roberto Clemente’s 1955 Topps rookie card graded by the major services (PSA, BGS, SGC, and CSG), only 11 received a PSA 9, highlighting the rarity of this special card. The 1955 Topps set, the first to feature a fully horizontal design, is notable for its innovation and small checklist of just 206 subjects. Besides Clemente, it includes the rookie cards of Harmon Killebrew and Sandy Koufax, making it a highly sought-after set. Clemente, a true baseball legend, boasts titles such as Hall of Famer, MVP, 15-time All-Star, 2-time World Series Champion, World Series MVP, 12-time Gold Glove winner, and 4-time batting champion.

2005-06 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Autograph Patch #6-AP LeBron James – BGS 8.5/Autograph 10 2-Color Patch | 1 of 1 (estimate in excess of $350,000)

Another unique card from the 2005-06 Exquisite release is this one-of-a-kind Patch Autograph of LeBron James. LeBron was, until recently, an Upper Deck exclusive athlete for signed trading cards, and as a result autographed trading cards of LeBron with NBA logos have not been released in packs since Upper Deck lost their license from the NBA following the 2009-10 product year. This makes any 1 of 1 patch autograph of LeBron with NBA logos highly coveted, and coming from Exquisite Collection, gives this example even greater allure. LeBron played a pivotal role in the creation of Exquisite Collection, a set that revolutionized the trading card industry. Inspired by the Sports Illustrated cover declaring LeBron the “Chosen One,” Karvin Cheung, former Senior Project Manager at Upper Deck, created Exquisite Collection. This card showcases a multi-color game-worn patch and an immaculate on-card autograph, commemorating LeBron’s third NBA season when he earned his first All-NBA 1st Team honors and set a career-high average of 31.4 points per game. The card has received an impressive BGS 8.5 grade, with the autograph graded a perfect 10.

1997-98 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Emerald #66 Tim Duncan - BGS 8 | Rookie Card (est. $200,000/300,000)

This card is perhaps Tim Duncan’s best rookie card and the rarest parallel of the iconic 1997-98 Precious Metal Gems. Each player had only 100 PMGs—90 Red/Ruby and 10 Green/Emerald— released in that year’s Metal Universe, making these cards highly sought after nearly 30 years later. Known for their vulnerability to damage, finding a PMG in this condition is incredibly rare, and finding one of the 10 Emeralds for a player widely regarded as the best power forward in NBA history is truly special. Tim Duncan’s remarkable 19-year career includes 14 All-Star appearances, five NBA Championships, two league MVPs, three Finals MVPs, 14 All-NBA selections, and 14 All-Defensive selections, solidifying his legacy as one of the game’s greatest.

2000 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket Autograph #144 Tom Brady BGS 9.5/Autograph 10 | Rookie Card | Gem Mint (est. $100,000/130,000)

Tom Brady, now celebrated as one of the greatest American football players of all time, was an unlikely hero when he was first drafted as the 199th pick overall in 2000. In his first season with the New England Patriots in 2000, only 128 mainstream rookie cards were produced, with just 11 of them featuring his autograph. Among the autographs, only four cards show him in a Patriots uniform. This particular card stands out as one of the best-condition examples ever certified by Beckett, with none of the 674 cards graded by Beckett receiving a higher grade. Brady’s remarkable 23-year NFL career includes seven Super Bowl victories, three league MVP awards, and a record for the most passing yards and touchdown passes, solidifying his legacy as a true football legend.