The world of collectibles has taken an interesting turn with the rise of graded magazines, especially focusing on iconic publications like Sports Illustrated (SI). Certified Collectibles Group (CGC) has been at the forefront of this trend for the past 15 years, examining over 28,000 editions of SI to meet the growing demand for preserved pieces of sports history.
One standout moment in the history of graded magazines was the sale of a 9.8 graded newsstand copy of the December 10, 1984 issue of SI featuring basketball legend Michael Jordan in his Chicago Bulls debut. Titled “A Star is Born,” this issue set a record price of $126,000, becoming the highest-priced graded magazine to date among over 2,000 SI issues graded at 9.8.
However, the record may soon face a new challenger with the introduction of a CGC 9.9 graded December 2022 issue of Sports Illustrated showcasing soccer sensation Kylian Mbappé just before the 2022 World Cup. This remarkable grading was awarded to a magazine submitted by a collector from the Midwest, marking the first SI issue to receive a perfect 9.9 grade. The coveted Mbappé issue is currently up for auction through Goldin and has already attracted considerable interest. Goldin has even dedicated a special category for graded magazines, recognizing their potential.
Goldin’s Director of Vintage Memorabilia and Photography emphasized that the appeal of these magazines extends beyond sports enthusiasts to include photography aficionados, given the contributions of renowned photographers to SI’s iconic covers.
The spotlight is currently on the Mbappé cover, one of two versions produced, with the alternative showcasing the US soccer team. As the auction unfolds with a closing date of June 8, bidding for the Mbappé cover has already reached an impressive $1,708.
Apart from the SI issues, the auction also features other remarkable items such as a 1965 Topps Mickey Mantle card graded at 8.5, a rare 1956 Floyd Patterson card graded at 9.0, a 1989 SI for Kids edition featuring Michael Jordan with a 9.6 grade, and a signed Muhammad Ali cover from 1967.
While many graded magazines are typically sold through platforms like eBay, boasting over 6,000 listings, notable sales also take place at specialized auctions. For instance, a CGC 9.6 graded SI issue featuring soccer legend Pele from 1975 fetched an impressive $25,000 in March 2023, while a Mike Tyson cover from 1986 graded at 9.0 sold for over $11,000 in the previous year. Notably, four of the top six highest-selling graded SIs on eBay in recent times featured the iconic Michael Jordan on the cover, highlighting the enduring popularity of the basketball legend.
This burgeoning market for graded magazines signifies a shift in collecting interests and the expanding landscape of sports memorabilia as a lucrative investment option in the collecting world.