Among the photo highlights in Goldin‘s September Elite Auction are two of the three known Type 1 Original Photos from Mike Tyson’s first professional bout in 1985. Tyson, who was nicknamed “Iron Mike” and “Kid Dynamite,” became the youngest heavyweight champion in history at age 20 against Hector Mercedes. This auction includes the first and only PSA-certified Type I action shot from his debut, as well as one of two known Type I shots with mentor Cus D’Amato in the locker room. The very trunks worn by Tyson in that first match, and pictured in both photos, are also available in the same auction and have been signed and authenticated by Tyson himself.
Another important Type I photo features Michael Jordan up against Magic Johnson in the 1991 NBA Finals when they “passed the torch” in their careers. It was Jordan’s first NBA Finals and Johnson’s last NBA Finals as the Bulls’ championship dynasty began and the Lakers’ Showtime era ended. This is one of the best Magic/Michael Type I photos in the hobby, from the series when Johnson declared Jordan the NBA’s new torchbearer, telling him, “It’s your turn now, it’s your time now.” Goldin expects this photo to sell for $10,000-15,000.
Original sports photography is becoming one of the fastest growing sectors on the auction block today with all-time high prices, as explained by Khyber Oser, Director of Vintage Memorabilia and Photography at Goldin. “We recently sold a Type 1 Photo of Michael Jordan from his first NBA game for $175,000, which was a record-breaking sale and a landmark for the Type 1 photo market,” said Oser. “Jordan and Mike Tyson debuted professionally just five months apart from each other and revolutionized their respective sports. When you draw this comparison, these ultra-rare photos from Mike Tyson’s debut match could also potentially set new records.”
The leading Type I baseball photo in the auction shows legends Lou Gehrig, Tris Speaker, Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth side-by-side before the start of the first Yankee game of the 1928 season with the Athletics. On the reverse side, International Newsreel’s original paper caption reads, “FOUR MIGHTIEST HITTERS IN AMERICAN LEAGUE…These four men represent the acme of slugging in the American League, and in perhaps the National League too.” With this rare Type I featuring some of the greatest hitters of all time, Goldin expects the photo to sell for $10,000-15,000.
The September Elite Auction auction is currently open and the items will be available for bidding through September 30. Goldin has built a reputation as the trusted leader in trading cards, memorabilia and collectibles and is a top destination for vintage photography. The Goldin marketplace is always actively accepting consignments for future auctions. To inquire about consigning sports photography or other items, email sell@goldin.co.
Highlights:
- Three Type 1 Original Photos from Mike Tyson’s first pro match
- A Type 1 Photo of Michael Jordan up against Magic Johnson during Jordan’s first NBA Finals and Johnson’s last NBA Finals (expected to sell for $10,000-15,000)
- A Type I baseball photo with Lou Gehrig, Tris Speaker, Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth before the start of the first Yankee game of the 1928 season (expected to sell for $10,000-15,000)
About Goldin:
Goldin is the leading marketplace for trading cards, collectibles and memorabilia. Founder Ken Goldin has sold more than $1.5 billion in memorabilia from many of the biggest names in sports, history, and pop culture. The company routinely sets records for the most expensive trading cards and other memorabilia ever sold. Lifelong collectors and new hobbyists alike trust Goldin because the company professionally authenticates everything it sells. Goldin is the official auction partner of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association and the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum. Learn more at Goldin.com, and on Twitter and Instagram.
