Auction Buzz: Goldin's big sale went beyond Honus Wagner

A copy of the hobby's biggest cards set a new seven-figure auction record this weekend via Goldin Auctions, but it was far from the only notable sale in its two-session October Legends event that included some remarkable modern card sales that fetched six-figures and a collection from Cal Ripken Jr. that topped the million-dollar mark on its own.

AN EXQUISITE PIECE
The Item: Michael Jordan & Scottie Pippen 2005-06 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Logoman Autographed Patches #DLA-JP (1/1)
The Price: Sold for $295,200 after 11 bids
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: It's not perfect, but it's a one-of-a-kind card -- and it's one of those kinds of cards that's as big as it gets as a dual-logoman auto from the brand that helped usher in the super-premium products that generate huge cash for high-rolling collectors today. It's slabbed as authentic likely due to the top left corner and how it's signed off the edges of the card but, again, it's alone as the only copy made making it a name-your-price piece. And, believe it or not, compared to many of the Exquisite card sales of the last few years this one still feels a tad under-priced.

Keep reading for a deeper look at four more big items in the sale that should command attention.

IT JUST SHOULDN'T EXIST ... 
The Item: 1961-62 Fleer NBA unopened 24-pack wax box (BBCE Certified with Wilt Chamberlain RC showing)
The Price: Sold for $221,400 after 16 bids
Why it’s Buzz-worthy:  This is the kind of piece that shouldn't ever be opened but if one would dare to, there are at least two Wilt Chamberlain RCs awaiting them -- one a standard RC on the top of a pack and an In-action RC on the back of a pack as were noted when Baseball Card Exchange examined this one before wrapping it. The original price on this one? Just $1.20 for the whole box (a nickel per pack) and it includes plenty more some 25 years before Fleer arrived with another RC-loaded release. Also found here are cards of Oscar Robertson, Bill Russell, Jerry West, Bob Cousy, Hal Greer and Elgin Baylor to name a few. At least three of those Hall of Famers and all-time greats were spotted on packs during inspection, too. "Unopened material from the 1961-62 Fleer issue, especially of this magnitude and quality, is virtually never found in the modern hobby," read the auction listing. "This is a splendid box with its full complement of packs, and its presentation at auction here must be regarded as an extremely auspicious opportunity."

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A MODERN GEM ... EVEN AS A NINE
The Item: Patrick Mahomes 2017 Panini National Treasures Black #161 Rookie Patch Auto (/5) BGS 9-10
The Price: Sold for $236,160 after 20 bids
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: Yes, it's a rarity and it's only three years old but Mahomes is poised to be the future of the NFL's elite already and the cardboard prices out there often prove it. Only four other copies exist so the BGS 9 mark may not matter -- but we should all be fine with nines anyway -- and the patch includes a piece of the AFC logo from one of the jerseys he wore. "NFL enthusiasts are certain that they'll be applauding the breathtaking achievements of Patrick Mahomes II for many seasons to come," read the auction listing, and there's an "extremely active market for his cards [for fans to] follow their extraordinarily rapid, upward paths." This sale is strong but it's really only the beginning here.

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CONTINUED DOMINANCE
The Item: 1999 Wizards of the Coast Pokemon unopened 36-pack booster box
The Price: Sold for $31,980 after 19 bids
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: The big money being paid for early Pokemon boxes -- and really more than just that -- continued here with this 36-pack box that's not the first edition still racking in plenty of interest. It's not a six-figure box like the first edition but it wasn't that long ago at all that the Blowout's Most Wanted price for the big one looked closer to this price (albeit higher) compared to what it looks like now. As the volume of first edition boxes available gets lower and lower the prices will get higher and higher when (if) they become available and as those boxes go crazy people will inevitably turn their attention to other releases like this one.

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BIG FISH, BIG FUTURE POTENTIAL
The Item: Mike Trout 2011 Bowman Chrome Superfractor #175 Rookie Card parallel (1/1) PSA 10
The Price: Sold for $221,400 after nine bids
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: There was perhaps a time when Mike Trout was maybe the lone king of modern cardboard at the auction house beyond names like Tom Brady, Michael Jordan and LeBron James, but these days he's one of a few kings found across the sports realm. This card is clearly nothing to sniff at, but his 2009 Bowman Draft prospect card debuts just seem to command more right now on the block -- here's the rec0rd-holder and big reason why. Other unsigned early rarities like this one will continue to be in demand over time when -- if -- they pop up on the auction block and arguably still will have room to grow. This six-figure sale of an unsigned slab shows just that -- and even the Goldin listing notes that thought. "It has become increasingly clear that Mike Trout cards, Goldin Auctions and the hobby itself are poised, together, to continue reaching breathtaking heights that dramatically transcend the expectations of the past."

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