Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls 2009-10 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Autograph Patch 40/50 #P-MJ PSA 10 | Game-Used Patch | On-Card Autograph

As Air Jordan walked off an NBA court for the final time in April 2003, he did so in the midst of an era of transition. The greatest player the sport had known to that point had redefined superstardom and served as a shining beacon of excellence for those after him to follow. Naturally, the basketball collecting world simultaneously took this opportunity to revolutionize the hobby around a new crop of future legends.

On June 4, 2004, the world of sports cards changed forever. On this date, Upper Deck released the first year of Exquisite Collection Basketball. Released at what was then the jaw-dropping price of $500 for five cards, 20-years on this product line continues to be a byword for excellence in high-end trading cards. 

The creator of Exquisite Collection, Karvin Cheung, had been looking for the right player to serve as the centerpiece for a new high-end set that would feature highly-limited rookie patch autographs. Cheung has cited the moment he saw LeBron James on the cover of Sports Illustrated in February 2002 under the headline “Chosen One” as the single moment that he knew he had his player. Unknowingly, the basketball card world was also about to have perhaps its most important product in hobby history.

Upper Deck did not have to wait long to see that they had struck gold. Despite some initial balking at a then eye-watering $500 price tag for just five cards, collectors gravitated toward this new high-end entry into the market. The checklist showed that Michael Jordan would again be featured in his Chicago Bulls uniform after his brief stint with the Washington Wizards, and the distinct wooden box captivated collectors of all ages as it presented these cards as a truly premium product. The singular dual NBA Logoman patch cards that combined LeBron, MJ, and Kobe in different combinations represented the absolute peak of the hobby. Upper Deck had created something truly special, a brand that would become the standard bearer for high end card collecting.

In its time, Exquisite Collection basketball has seen records tumble and worldwide fascination, forming the cornerstone of many of the most important trading card collections around the world and joining the Mount Rushmore of trading card sets for many enthusiasts.

This card features a bold on-card autograph, paired with a multi-colored game-used patch. Grading Exquisite Collection cards can be challenging due to their thick cardstock, but this impeccable example has managed to overcome that, earning a grade of Gem Mint 10 from Professional Sports Authenticators (PSA). At the time of cataloging, it stands alone in the population report as the only copy to achieve such grade.

This card has been authenticated and deemed to be in Gem Mint condition, receiving a grade of 10 from Professional Sports Authenticators (PSA). The "40/50" stamp on the card signifies its place in the limited print run.

The PSA certificate number for this card is: 97355335.

Going Deeper - Michael Jordan

His Airness

On March 18, 1995 Jordan made headlines, doing so with possibly the most iconic press release in history. Two simple words: “I’m back.”

With his number already retired and his likeness captured on a statue in front of the United Center, MJ returned to the Bulls midway through the 1994-95 in the number he had used as a Chicago White Sox minor leaguer the summer before, 45. Immediately, and unsurprisingly, he changed the fortunes of the team and after going 13-4 following his return Chicago was back in the playoffs. While they fell in six games to the eventual Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic, the three-time champion made it clear that the NBA was going to once again be his for the taking.

Ahead of the 1995-96 season, Jordan and the Bulls added dynamic rebounder Dennis Rodman and formed a new big three in the wake of imposing big man Horace Grant’s departure two seasons prior. The move paid dividends as Chicago became the biggest juggernaut in basketball history. That first season the Bulls opened the year with an unreal 41-3 mark and would finish with a then-record 72 wins. The sheer dominance resulted in Michael’s fourth league MVP, championship and Finals MVP. The next year was much of the same as the Bulls won 69 games and another title, and Jordan’s claim as the greatest player in the history of the sport to that point was fairly assured. Yet, with all the success on the court, the infighting and politics off it left the Bulls on shaky ground.

‘The Last Dance’ was Michael Jordan’s final season with the Chicago Bulls (1997-98) and is perhaps the most beloved period in Jordan folklore, as Michael reached the apex of his popularity and powers while simultaneously conquering major internal divisions that were fracturing the team dynamics of the late 90s Chicago Bulls. The season is referred to as The Last Dance in large part due to the smash-hit ESPN documentary of the same name, which chronicled the Bulls efforts in the 1997-1998 season. The players were cognizant that the roster would ultimately be disbanded at the end of the season and knew it was their final opportunity to capture a 6th Bulls Championship of the decade. The Last Dance was Michael Jordan’s ‘magnum opus’ as an athlete – a testament to him as a competitor, a sportsman, a teammate, and ultimately, a champion.

The fairytale season culminated in a rematch of the 1997 NBA Finals with the Bulls squaring off against John Stockton, Karl Malone, and the Utah Jazz. In Game 6, with the Bulls leading the series 3-2, Jordan famously came up with a last-minute steal before sinking a game-winning jumper in the closing seconds. It was a picture-perfect ending that only ‘His Airness’ could have delivered. At the conclusion of the game, Jordan was named Finals MVP for an all-time record 6th time.