A highly sought-after sports card featuring the autographs of NBA legends Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, along with game-worn jersey patches, is set to go under the hammer at a public auction hosted by the trading card marketplace Alt. This one-of-a-kind item, known as the 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman card, has remained in a private collection for nearly two decades, unseen by the public until now.
Brendan Kirbach, a senior account executive at Alt, revealed that the card had been kept in ungraded condition for years. "This card was in a private collection for a couple of decades and no one knew it was available. It was just sitting raw in someone’s collection," Kirbach shared with The Athletic’s Benjamin Burrows. The card was recently graded by the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) and received a score of 8 on a scale of 1 to 10, adding to its desirability.
The auction for this remarkable card commenced on September 4, 2026, and has already attracted significant attention, with bids surpassing $2 million shortly after opening. The auction is scheduled to continue until September 24, and it is expected to draw interest from collectors and fans alike, particularly given its unique status as a one-of-one item.
This card is notable not only for its rarity but also for its connection to two of basketball's greatest players. The card is from the same set as a previously sold one-of-one card featuring Bryant and Michael Jordan, which fetched an astounding $12.93 million at Heritage Auctions last year, setting a record for the highest price ever paid for a sports card. The high-profile nature of these sales has placed a spotlight on the trading card market, which has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years.
In addition to its impressive pedigree, the 2007-08 season holds significance for both Bryant and James. During that season, Bryant won the only NBA MVP award of his illustrious career, while James claimed his first scoring title, averaging an impressive 30 points per game. This historical context adds further allure to the card, making it not just a collectible, but a piece of basketball history.
While Alt has not provided a pre-sale estimate for the Kobe-LeBron card, the PSA has indicated that it is among the most valuable cards graded this year. As the auction progresses, many will be watching to see if this card can surpass the previous record of $12.93 million, further solidifying its place in the annals of sports memorabilia.
As the bidding heats up, collectors are reminded of the potential for significant returns on investment in the trading card market, especially for items tied to iconic athletes like Bryant and James. With the auction just beginning, excitement is building around what could be a historic sale in the world of sports collectibles.
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