Bill Russell Rookie Card Sells For $660,000

Bill Russell was an NBA legend. Playing nearly 1000 games between 1956 and 1969, Russell averaged 15 points and 22 rebounds per game. Furthermore, he won 11 championships and five MVP titles. Coaching the Celtics in his final years as a player, he was the first Black coach to win a championship in a major pro sport. Furthermore, he returned to coach in the 1970s, spending four seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics. Russell died aged 88 in July 2022. For the first time in league history, a jersey, specifically Russell’s #6 jersey, was retired league-wide.

Furthermore, card collecting is a serious affair. The rarest cards in the best condition can go for hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you have the money, the hobby goes far beyond pack openings. In March 2021, an 8.5 (between near-mint and mint) rated Bill Russell rookie card was sold for $630,000. It is believed that there are just three Russell rookie cards of a higher grade. However, all three are held in private collections and have never been publicly auctioned. That record has now been broken.

Newly Sold Russell Card Becomes Third Most Expensive Pre-1980s Card

Boston Celtics’ player Bill Russell hooks a shot during the NBA championship’s final game in 1960 against the Saint Louis Hawks.

In an auction conducted by PWCC Marketplace, a 1957 Topps Bill Russell rookie card has sold for $660,000. Not only does it break the record for a Bill Russell card, but it also becomes the third-highest-selling pre-1980s basketball card. The only cards to sell for more money are a 1961 Wilt Chamberlain rookie card ($670,000, June 2022) and a 1948 George Mikan card ($800,000, March 2022).

Russell’s memorabilia was a rarity until fairly recently. In 2021, he facilitated the auction of more than 700 items from his Hall of Fame career. Sold between December 2021 and April 2022, the auction’s total profits were in excess of $9 million. This included $1 million for a game-worn jersey from the series-clinching win of the 1969 Finals. The profits were sent to a number of Boston-area charities, including Russell’s own non-profit, Mentor. However, if the past is anything to go by, the current record will not stand for long. How much would you spend on a historic card? Let us know in the comments below.

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Michael Jordan’s Famous Air Jordan 13s Sell For Insane Record Price

Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player to ever step on an NBA court. Overall, this is not a diss to guys like LeBron James or Kobe Bryant. It is simply a testament to Jordan and everything he was able to accomplish during his time in the league. He had a grand total of six NBA titles. Moreover, he won six NBA Finals MVP trophies, countless regular-season MVPs, and some scoring titles as well. Although many hate him for his trash talk and relentlessness on the court, he is also revered for the fear he instilled in people.

Additionally, Jordan has an incredible legacy when it comes to his sneakers. In fact, as of late, Sotheby’s has been hosting an auction for some of the shoes he wore during his NBA Finals runs. One of these shoes was a game-worn and signed Air Jordan 13 from his final championship series. These shoes were worn in Game 2 against the Utah Jazz, and are pictured below. Overall, these were considered to be a massive draw for any collector, and as it turns out, the final auction price reflects that.

Michael Jordan & The Air Jordan 13

Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals Game 2 Air Jordan XIIIs are on display during VICTORIAM, a special two-part curated collection of sports artifacts on auction at Sotheby’s on April 05, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

According to TMZ, these shoes officially sold for a massive price of $2,238,000. Originally, we reported that the highest bid was at $1.8 million, however, the final price was a few hundred thousand dollars extra. It should be noted that this is a record of shoes at auction. No sneaker has ever sold for his much. Needless to say, whoever bought these must be quite a rich individual.

At this point, prices for memorabilia like this continue to skyrocket. Every month it feels like an item has broken some sort of record. It just goes to show how popular Michael Jordan still is, all of these years later. Let us know what you think of this latest auction, in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from around the sneaker world.

Another Look

Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals Game 2 Air Jordan XIIIs are on display during VICTORIAM, a special two-part curated collection of sports artifacts on auction at Sotheby’s on April 05, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

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Air Jordan 13 “Bred” Worn During 1998 NBA Finals Could Fetch Obscene Amount At Auction

Michael Jordan’s last season with the Chicago Bulls featured two sneakers in the Air Jordan 13 and 14. Although Jordan wore the Jordan 13 for most of the season, he actually won the chip in the Jordan 14. Overall, both sneakers have proven to be huge hits amongst all of the MJ fans out there. Sneakerheads love these shoes, and Jordan Brand continues to develop new colorways for fans to enjoy. Needless to say, these shoes are legendary and fans are always eager to scoop them up.

Interestingly enough, sneakers that were worn by MJ during his championship runs are now up for auction. Recently, we reported on Sotheby’s and its Dynasty Collection which featured a plethora of amazing game-worn shoes. This collection spans from 1991 all the was to 1998 and takes sneakerheads through an incredible journey. Now, however, Sotheby’s is back with yet another game-worn Michael Jordan shoe. Below, you can find an Air Jordan 13 “Bred” from Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals.

Game-Worn Air Jordan 13

Air Jordan 13
Image via Sotheby’s

Overall, the story of how this shoe was acquired is quite unique. The ballboy was gifted these by Michael Jordan himself, and each toe box was signed. Now, they are up for auction and Sotheby’s is very confident these will go for record prices. According to Sole Collector, Sotheby’s is claiming that these could sell between $2 and $4 million. That would be an obscene price, however, as we already know, memorabilia prices have been skyrocketing over the past few years. Collectors want these pieces for their collections, and the appreciation in value makes these worth investing in.

Through Sothebys.com, you will be able to bid on these from April 3rd to April 11th. Although, you are going to need a lot of money if you want to be able to afford these. If you don’t have that kind of dough, you can forget that these even exist. You can let us know what you think of the shoes, in the comments section down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from around the sneaker world.

More Photos

Image via Sotheby’s
Air Jordan 13
Image via Sotheby’s

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Kim Kardashian’s $73,000 Watch Is A Custom Previously Auctioned Off By Pharrell

While it feels like she’s been famous forever, Kim Kardashian’s rise in Hollywood didn’t become fully realized until 2007. The 42-year-old graduated from high school in 1998 and went on to become Paris Hilton’s personal assistant. Still, it wasn’t until her sex tape with then-boyfriend Ray J leaked online that the public really began taking interest in her. Since then, plenty of hard work and a number of high-profile relationships have kept her and her family at the centre of the news cycle for years.

Among Kardashian’s many interests is the world of fashion, in which she’s steadily become more involved. Her previous marriage to Kanye West allowed her to connect with plenty of fashion moguls and industry insiders, as while as attend the Met Gala for the first time. In the time since their tumultuous divorce, the mother of two has been redeveloping her personal style and working in plenty of luxurious jewelry pieces to her looks. Most recently, she was spotted out with James Corden wearing one of Pharrell Williams’ old custom pieces.

Kim’s Custom Flex

As Complex notes, photos of the reality starlet and the English comedian running around Malibu are circulating. Wearing jeans, a bodysuit, and a long braided ponytail, Kardashian looks more casual than usual but still put together. At the time, she also wore a watch on her wrist, which we now know cost an astounding $73,000. The model is a Casio G-Shock x Bape DW-6900. It’s a one-of-a-kind that was designed thanks to the talents of Jacob & Co.

The coveted piece was part of a 2022 auction through JOOPITER, the new Louis Vuitton Men’s Creative Director’s online platform. The listing reveals that it boasts 14-karat white gold with white, cognac, yellow, and black diamonds. “It is a perfectly balanced exercise in form vs. function. In addition to the flooded bezel and case, the back is also frosted with a diamond-studded caricature of Pharrell, borrowed from the In My Mind album cover artwork,” the product note explains.

Filming Carpool Karaoke with James Corden

It remains unclear exactly when we’ll see Kim Kardashian (and her watch) on The Late Late Show. Still, fans are eager to watch her perform her favourite songs during Carpool Karaoke. The socialite has appeared on Corden’s program in the past. However, seeing her croon – something she rarely does publicly – on camera will certainly be entertaining. Let us know what you hope to hear her sing in the comments, and check out some of the segment’s funniest moments in the video above.

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Rap Memorabilia Featured in the ‘Hip Hop Legends’ Auction

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The Hip Hop Legends Auction, hosted by the auction house Gotta Have Rock and Roll have announced that a collection of items owned or worn by 2pac are being sold to the highest bidder. The auction house is home to a rare collection of original artifacts such as posters, jewelry, clothing, and hats. 

Nearly 100 items from different Hip Hop artists from various generations and price points are on the market and ready to be sold. A small batch of items in the sale previously belonged to the “All Eyez on Me” rapper, including his infamous red bandana.

Additionally, amongst the items on sale are the M.O.B. pinky ring he wore in the “All About U” music video, a handwritten letter he wrote to his girlfriend while in prison, promotional posters, gold chains, a Versace bracelet, and his original mugshot. 

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Other artifacts being sold come from rappers that have transitioned such as signed items from The Notorious B.I.G., Aaliyah, Big Pun, Eazy E, DMX, and Ol’ Dirty Bastard, and a handwritten note from XXXTentacion. A high-ticket item that is expected to sell quickly is the Roc-A-Fella jacket worn and autographed by Jay-Z. The promotional piece has already earned a minimum bid of $5,000. It is estimated to reach or exceed a bid of $20,000. 

Some of the highest bids on items include the aforementioned gold ring worn by 2pac at $10,000. Wednesday morning, the highest bid stands at $26,000. The Eazy-E stage also used as a DJ stand in the “We Want Eazy” had a starting bid of $5,000 that has already been reached. 

Collectables from Eminem, Nicki Minaj, Beastie Boys, Snoop Dogg, Nas, Lil Wayne, Wu-Tang Clan, Cypress Hill, The Fugees, Method Man, Drake, Public Enemy, and numerous others could soon have a new home as well. The action can be viewed on the Gotta Have Rock and Roll official website.

The post Rap Memorabilia Featured in the ‘Hip Hop Legends’ Auction appeared first on The Source.

Tupac Shakur’s Unreleased 1992 Pictures Auctioned As NFTs

The greatest rappers of all time can’t escape the Web3 proliferation craze of the 2020s, even in death. Previously unreleased pictures of Tupac Shakur from 1992 are being auctioned as NFTs. Moreover, the photos are of the West Coast legend’s performance at Prince’s Grand Slam West nightclub in Minneapolis. Furthermore, MakersPlace will auction off the 17 snaps starting Thursday (February 23) at 3pm EST. Titled “2Pacalypse92,” Lawrence “Loupy D” Dotson took all the shots, and he formerly served as managing editor at Kronick Magazine. Even though many might be disappointed by the digital nature of this enterprise, not all hope is lost for fans of both Tupac and physical media.

In fact, each NFT will come paired with its own original negative. To elaborate, collectors can own a piece of the genre’s performance history that exists in both digital and physical spaces. “The atmosphere was hyped,” Loupy D recalled concerning the late legend’s 1992 performance. “The crowd was loving it. He put on a show. He wasn’t just a rapper, he was a performer, he had a theater background. Tupac knew he had to engage the crowd.”

Tupac’s Unreleased 1992 Pictures Revived As NFTs

Moreover, some of these snapshots will appear in the upcoming Dear Mama docuseries from FX. The deep dive will focus, as the title implies, on the “California Love” MC, his mother, and their relationship. Afeni Shakur was a former Black Panther who influenced the rapper greatly, and passed away in 2016. “For Tupac superfans, I believe that two of the most important things in the project is the never seen before,” said series director, executive producer, and writer Allen Hughes. “But most importantly, you get to understand why he made certain decisions.”

Meanwhile, fans might get to hear more music from Tupac very soon, as his estate and other collaborators promised new music soon. Also, this isn’t the first time a valuable piece of Pac memorabilia made the news recently. The late great John Singleton owned a portrait of the MC from the film “Baby Boy” that’s valued at $75,000. While not many details were shared concerning these 1992 pics, we’re sure it’ll cost a pretty penny to commemorate his legacy. Regardless, stick around on HNHH for the latest news on Tupac Shakur and his enduring presence.

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Biggie Smalls Air Jordans Sold At Auction For Over $30K

The Notorious B.I.G. is arguably the greatest rapper of all time, and the only thing that rivals the history of that debate is the history of his impact. 23 pairs of Biggie Smalls Air Jordans sold for over $30K at an auction this week. The Sotheby’s auction closed on Friday (February 3), with the highest bid being a 9.5 and 10.5 pair for $32,760 each. Furthermore, the Christopher Wallace Air Jordan XIII came from a partnership between Jordan Brand and the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation.

NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 1994: Rapper The Notorious BIG attends an event in November 1994 in New York, New York. (Photo by Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

While they created it in 2017 on what would’ve been Biggie’s 45th birthday, they kept it under wraps. Much later, their unveil took place this week in honor of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. However, it’s not all that this specific colorway of Jordan 13s honors. Moreover, the shoe celebrates February 3, 2023 (2/3/23), representing Michael Jordan’s jersey number. What’s more is that this shoe kicks off the “Jordan Year,” which will presumably celebrate the raging Bull in many ways. However, the best news here is that Biggie’s limited edition Jordans look really nice.

For example, the sneaker features a black and anthracite upper with images and phrases from Biggie’s iconography. The tongue displays Christopher Wallace’s iconic silhouette, and the shoe as a whole tributes his legacy, willpower, and faith. Also, they designed the sneaker with black and red flannel-designed sock liner and insoles. On the tongue tag, it reads, “It was all a dream” and “If you don’t know, now you know.” In addition, the word “dream” is etched on metal aglets. According to a post from Biggie’s official IG page, all auction proceeds will go to the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation.

Moreover, the foundation “aims to empower inner-city youth with educational learning instruments, sponsorships, grants and community-based mentorship programs and campaigns, all in line with its motto, ‘Think B.I.G.’ Books Instead of Guns.’ What do you think about these limited edition Air Jordans featuring Biggie Smalls? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments below. Also, as always, come back to HNHH for more stories on hip-hop history and the enduring influence of the greats.

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Colin Kaepernick Jersey To Sell For Big Bucks At Auction

Colin Kaepernick got a very rough deal when it comes to his time in the NFL. During his first few years with the San Francisco 49ers, he was the man. Overall, he brought the team to a Super Bowl and even orchestrated a second-half comeback that almost won them the whole thing. However, his career eventually took a turn. The 49ers started to decline and after protesting racial inequality by kneeling during the anthem, Kap found himself out of the league. Today, it is still seen as one of the biggest injustices in the history of the NFL.

Regardless, Colin Kaepernick continues to fight for what he believes in. While he still hasn’t gotten that second NFL opportunity, he still works hard whenever he gets the chance. It is clear to everyone that he remains in good shape, and one can only imagine how he would play if he were back in the league. For now, fans will simply have to dream.

Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Candlestick Park on January 12, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers defeated the Packers 45-31. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

Iconic Colin Kaepernick Jersey Hits Auction

Now, according to Heritage Auctions, a Kaepernick jersey from his 2013 playoff run is being sold at auction. In fact, this is a game-worn and signed jersey from the Divisional Round win against the Green Bay Packers. Overall, Kaepernick was a force in this game. He threw for 263 yards while additionally running for another 181. Moreover, he scored a grand total of four touchdowns. Interestingly enough, Kaepernick even added his stats to his signature on the jersey, which adds something unique to the memorabilia.

As it stands, Heritage Auctions is expecting this to go for a price of $40,000. For now, fans can begin bidding on this, and the auction will eventually end on February 25th. If you are a collector who loves Kap, then this will be for you. However, if you aren’t a fan, we’re sure some other great pieces will be hitting the auction block shortly.

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