Michael Jordan
NBA Hall of Fame Shooting Guard / 6-time NBA Champion · Basketball - NBA
Chicago Bulls / Washington Wizards
Era
Modern Era - Circa late 1990s to early 2000s
Item Type
Trading Card
Condition
Excellent - The signature is bold and vibrant with no significant fading. The card shows minor surface wear but no major creases or corner dings visible in the image.
Rarity
Moderate - While Jordan has signed many items through Upper Deck contracts, he is and remains the most difficult and expensive 'modern' signature to obtain due to his exclusive contract and high demand.
Overall Assessment
A premium example of a modern-era Michael Jordan signature on an attractive, historically themed card. If accompanied by a UDA hologram, it is a centerpiece-caliber item for any collection.
Authenticity Assessment
Highly likely authentic. The signature displays the precise flow, specific letter loops, and the characteristic horizontal strike-through consistent with thousands of Upper Deck authenticated examples.
Signature Style
Stylized full name signature with a prominent 'M' and 'J'. The signature features the classic Jordan loop in the 'J' and a sharp, horizontal line extending from the final letter, a staple of his post-peak signing style.
Signature Characteristics
Features the 'high-arc' M, 45-degree slant, and a very specific 'J' that looks like a number 2. No signs of pen hesitation; the signature displays high velocity and fluid motion.
Ink & Medium
Blue felt-tip permanent marker (Sharpie style) on a glossy cardboard stock.
Item Description
Upper Deck 'The Jordan Journals' Championship trading card, featuring an image of Jordan in his red Bulls away jersey during the 1992 NBA Eastern Conference Finals.
Estimated Value
$3,000 - $6,500 USD (highly dependent on professional certification)
Comparison to Known Examples
Matches high-end UDA-verified examples from the late 90s very closely, specifically the way the tail of the 'n' in Jordan underlines the rest of the name.
Authentication Tips
Look for the specific 'M' bridge and the way the 'J' loops back. Most importantly, check for the Upper Deck Authenticated (UDA) hologram on the back or an accompanying COA, as Jordan rarely signed cards like this outside of his UDA contract.
Certification Recommendation
PSA/DNA, Beckett (BAS), or JSA. Since this is an Upper Deck item, verification against the UDA database is the gold standard.
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed in the signature flow. The main risk with Jordan cards is the 'aftermarket' signature; a collector should ensure there is a matching UDA hologram.
Provenance Notes
Jordan autographs without Upper Deck documentation are viewed with high skepticism. A letter of provenance from an in-person signing is rare for Jordan due to his security protocols.
Historical Context
The 'Jordan Journals' cards celebrate specific moments of his championship dominance, making them highly thematic and desirable for Bulls historians.
Market Trends
Jordan autographs continue to appreciate steadily. Following 'The Last Dance' documentary, prices for signed cards from the 90s have reached record highs.
Investment Potential
Excellent. Jordan is the blue-chip standard of sports memorabilia; his signature is considered a safe long-term store of value.
Similar Autographs
Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird.
Display & Preservation
Should be kept in a UV-protected magnetic 'One-Touch' holder to prevent the blue ink from fading under light exposure.
Interesting Facts
Michael Jordan has had an exclusive signing contract with Upper Deck since 1992, which revolutionized the 'Authenticated' memorabilia market and significantly curbed the forgery market for his name.