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Two Sotheby’s auctioneers appeared on a “pitcher’s mound” in a deconsecrated Harlem church this week to sell off $7 million worth of collectible cards.
It was the first card auction in a partnership from Sotheby’s and Michael Rubin’s Fanatics.
Billionaire Patriots owner Robert Kraft shelled out $120,000 for a Tom Brady rookie card — and four Brady cards overall went for $813,600.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft won a bid of $120,000 for a Brady rookie card. Matt Borkowski/BFA.com The auction was called “Holy Grails.” Matt Borkowski/BFA.comKraft and Brady were spotted sitting together for the sale at NYC’s Harlem Parish along with Rubin in the front row.
Attendees also included Logan Paul, Meek Mill, billionaire Shad Khan, artist Rashid Johnson, sports broadcaster Taylor Rooks, Kevin Durant’s business partner Rich Kleiman, 76ers co-owner David Blitzer and NFL stars including Malik Nabers, Channing Crowder and Ryan Clark.
The sale was called “Holy Grails,” and completing the theme were sporty stained glass windows, a church organist playing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” an auction floor designed as a baseball diamond, a bullpen and bidders in pews.
A 2018 Topps card featuring Shohei Ohtani went for $336,000, setting a new auction record for the Dodgers star.
In other sales, a rare 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente rookie card sold for $840,000, the highest of the auction.
Also up for sale were cards featuring LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Jackie Robinson, Mickey Mantle and more.
Kraft and Brady sat together in the front row. Matt Borkowski/BFA.comKraft’s team famously selected Brady in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft, when Drew Bledsoe was the starter.
Brady took over in 2001 when Bledsoe was injured, and became an NFL legend, winning six Super Bowls and spending 20 seasons with the team.
The now-retired star and Kraft have remained close.
Also up for sale were some rare Pokémon cards, including a 1995 prototype Japanese Pikachu and a 1999 Charizard.
