Michael Jordan
NBA Hall of Fame Shooting Guard and 6-time NBA Champion · Basketball - NBA
Chicago Bulls
Era
Modern Era - Circa late 1990s to early 2000s signature style
Item Type
Trading Card
Condition
Excellent - The card has sharp corners; the signature is bold with minor ink pooling in the 'M', showing healthy saturation and no fading.
Rarity
Moderate - While Jordan is a prolific signer through his contract with Upper Deck, his on-card autographs from early 90s base sets remain highly sought after.
Overall Assessment
A premium specimen of the greatest basketball player of all time. The blue ink provides a beautiful contrast against the Chicago Bulls red uniform in the photo.
Authenticity Assessment
Highly likely authentic / Likely Authentic - Confidence: 90%. Signature exhibits the characteristic fluid flow and speed consistent with genuine specimens.
Signature Style
Abbreviated 'M / Jordan' style with standard loop flourishes and a trailing horizontal exit stroke.
Signature Characteristics
Fast movement; the 'M' is sharp and upright; the 'J' is sweeping and overlaps the first part of the name; the end of 'Jordan' degrades into a rhythmic wave characteristic of his high-volume signing style.
Ink & Medium
Blue Felt-tip / Permanent Marker (Sharpie type) on gloss-coated cardstock.
Item Description
1991-92 Upper Deck Basketball Card #44 featuring Michael Jordan in an action shot against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Estimated Value
$3,500 - $6,500 USD (Authenticated/Slabbed), significantly higher if high-grade card.
Comparison to Known Examples
Consistent with 'Type III' signatures identified in his career, showing more abbreviation than the full 'Michael Jordan' signatures of the mid-1980s.
Authentication Tips
Check for the 'Upper Deck Authenticated' (UDA) hologram on the reverse. Authentic Jordans show high speed with no hesitation and a specific loop in the letter 'J' that often resembles a 'g' shape.
Certification Recommendation
PSA/DNA, JSA, or Beckett Authentication Services (BAS). Given the Upper Deck card, BAS/PSA dual grading (card and auto) is preferred.
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; ink absorption looks correct for the surface and there is no evidence of an autopen 'stop and start' dot.
Provenance Notes
Ideal documentation would include a UDA Certificate of Authenticity or a photo of the signing event, as Jordan has had an exclusive signing deal with Upper Deck since 1992.
Historical Context
Signed on an iconic early Upper Deck card which revolutionized the hobby with high-quality photography and anti-counterfeit holograms.
Market Trends
Strongly Appreciating - Jordan memorabilia remains the 'gold standard' for the hobby; values for on-card autos have tripled over the last decade.
Investment Potential
High - Michael Jordan is the most blue-chip investment in sports collectibles with a global market that spans all age demographics.
Similar Autographs
Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Magic Johnson authenticated trading cards.
Display & Preservation
Keep in a UV-protected magnetic 'One-Touch' holder or a professional slab to prevent ink fading from sunlight exposure.
Interesting Facts
Jordan is known to have one of the most consistent signatures in sports history due to his long-standing contractual obligation to sign tens of thousands of items for Upper Deck.