1948 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson card.
Fanatics and Sotheby’s want to help you level up your deck.
The two companies are launching a new platform this summer to give collectors access to the rarest and most valuable trading cards across all sports. Aptly titled Fanatics Collect, the online marketplace will offer cards worth $100,000 or above and other coveted memorabilia via both fixed-priced listings and high-end auctions.
“This unique partnership is a reflection of the elevated status and cultural impact of the hobby and gives these highly sought-after cards incredible reach and visibility to potential collectors around the world,” Fanatics Collect CEO Nick Bell said in a statement. “We’re truly excited to be able to pair our knowledge in high-end sports cards with Sotheby’s unrivaled expertise in storytelling across exceptional fine art and objects.”
Fanatics started auctioning off cards after it acquired sports memorabilia reseller PWCC Marketplace last year. Company executives have decided to replace the PWCC brand with the Fanatics Collection to elevate the shopping experience. The new marketplace allows sports enthusiasts to browse and instantly purchase hundreds of thousands of collectibles. In addition, live and online auctions will be held weekly and monthly at Sotheby’s. (The auction house launched a sports and modern collectibles department in 2022 and has since achieved numerous world records with sporting memorabilia.)
The first live sale, set to take place in New York this September, will be led by a 1948 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson card (pictured above). It is the only true rookie card of the baseball idol and is in exceptional condition, according to Fanatics. As such, the rarity is expected to fetch between $275,000 and $350,000 at the summer sale.
“Through high-end auctions, state-of-the-art exhibitions, and exhilarating events, this collaboration marks a significant milestone within the ever-growing and engaged trading card community,” adds Sotheby’s head of modern collectibles Brahm Wachter. “We eagerly anticipate ushering promising collectors into an exciting new era of innovation and accessibility.”
Further information regarding the upcoming September and December sales will be shared in the forthcoming weeks. Fanatics Collect is also planning to introduce peer-to-peer trading, AI-powered concierge services, card scanning, and digital collectibles later this year. Stay tuned.
