Stadium Goods and Christie’s Announce Largest Sneaker Auction Ever
Following a in 2020, and Christie’s have taken things up another notch, announcing their largest online sneaker auction ever. Dubbed ‘Original Air Takes Flight: The Evolution and Influence of Sneakers’, the auction features 90 rare Grails, including early samples, a complete set of OG Air Jordans (1-14), , and Jordan Brand exclusives for the likes of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Derek Jeter, Drake, Eminem, and more.
Highlights of this jaw-dropping tribute to the legacy of Michael Jordan include early development prototypes and sample pairs: a one-of-a-kind 1985/86 Air Jordan 2 development sample, a salesman’s sample of the ‘Bred’, as well as rare UNC, Michigan and Georgetown player exclusives. And that’s just some of the gems that are up for grabs.
The Air Jordan 2 is believed to be one of the very first versions of the second signature model, and considered the only existing sample. Meanwhile, the Air Jordan 1 salesman’s sample was used by a Nike rep to promote the first-ever signature Jordan shoe in 1985. Made in 1984 as per the production code, the shoe has the number ‘84’ and ends in ‘SS’, denoting its salesman sample status. Oh, it also comes in a vintage Nike-branded briefcase believed to belong to an early Nike product specialist nicknamed ‘EKINs’ (Nike spelled backward) – as if it wasn’t cool enough already!
Pairs worn in-game by MJ himself include the Air Jordan 11 ‘Concord’, Air Jordan 12 ‘Taxi’, Air Jordan 13 ‘He Got Game’, and Air Jordan 17. Additionally, there’s worn pairs signed by BJ Armstrong and Charles Barkley, with other game-worn items from Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Derek Jeter, Russell Westbrook, Ray Allen and Jimmy Butler. Some other creps of cultural significance are the Jordan Brand collaborations with Eminem and Drake.
Early highlights from the auction are up for viewing online, with a full sale live on beginning June 4. From June 4 to 9, the full selection of items will be displayed at Christie’s New York, with additional viewings of select items from June 9 to 30. Bidding will start from June 22 until June 30. Time to bust out the credit card!