2005-06 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman Autographs #DLA-JE Michael Jordan and Julius Erving - BGS 8.5/Autograph 10 | 1 of 1 | On-Card Autographs | Sporting News Jordan Cover

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 crossover between what would become perhaps the single most premier product in the hobby and the entry into the NBA of one of its most transformational stars ever was no coincidence. 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. What followed was history: 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.

Had Cheung been ruminating on perhaps the most important trading card set produced in the 21st century on October 29,1984, Cheung may instead have pointed to another fresh faced-phenom who would go on to become perhaps the greatest player of all time: Michael Jordan. It was on that date that Sporting News ran a cover of then-rookie Michael Jordan in doctor’s scrubs under the headline “The Next Dr. J.” 

Julius “Dr. J” Erving is considered by many to be one of the best players of his era and earned a reputation as one of basketball’s greatest showmen. From his skywalking free-throw line dunks in the 1976 ABA Slam Dunk Contest and the 1984 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, to his incredible baseline scoop layup against the Lakers in 1980, and the legendary “Rock the Baby” slam dunk, ‘The Doctor’ had created countless basketball memories for fans of all ages, and they had watched him at the heart of a transitional time for professional basketball in the U.S. A massive star in the briefly-lived but highly influential ABA, where he won two championships with the New York Nets, he transitioned into the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers and had just been named league MVP in 1981. He then helped lead them to an NBA Championship in 1983, where the 76ers swept the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. Although nearing the end of his career, there was perhaps no one who was more box office in October 1984 than Dr. J, yet this new guard for the Chicago Bulls out of UNC had fans intrigued.

The comparison turned out to be prescient. Both Jordan and Dr. J competed in the 1985 Dunk Contest, and after Dr. J had been eliminated, Jordan picked up the mantle of free-throw line dunks, running from the opposite end of the court before adopting his trademark jumpman pose. It seemed the torch had been passed from one era-defining star to another. Jordan would go on to redefine the game of basketball with his own legendary moves, including the hand-switch layup in the 1991 Finals, the triple-pump layup, and perhaps his most famous of all, his lethal clutch-time top of the key jump shots. His most outstated trait, a sheer determination to win, helped him and the Chicago Bulls utterly dominate the 1990s NBA. Jordan also led the Dream Team, packed with NBA talent for the first time ever, on their tour de force to Olympic Gold in 1992, demonstrating the world-class talent of the NBA on the biggest international stage. To this day, “Jordan” is synonymous with greatness, elite sporting and basketball talent, and tireless work ethic. Just like Erving, today’s NBA elite emulated Michael Jordan. The history of NBA basketball is simply incomplete without these two legends.

Two generational greats on a one-of-a-kind card from one of the most important trading card brands in recent memory, this dual Logoman is an important piece of hoops history.

This 2005-06 Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman Autograph of Michael Jordan and Julius Erving has been in the same collection for 17 years. The only example from 2005-06 Exquisite Collection, it is one of only two Dual Logoman Autographs of the pair ever made under the Exquisite Collection brand, and one of only eight to feature Michael Jordan. The card features iconic game-used Logoman patches, with Jordan’s coming from his game-worn jersey while Erving’s comes from a game-used warmup. It also features beautiful on-card autographs of these two icons. The front of the card is stamped with a script “1 of 1” in the bottom right corner emphasizing its unduplicated nature.

Exquisite Collection has just celebrated its 20th anniversary and is a giant in the hobby as it remains considered the most iconic basketball card set ever produced.

This card has been authenticated and deemed to be in Near Mint-Mint+ condition, receiving a grade of 8.5 from Beckett Grading Services (BGS). The autographs were graded and received a 10 from BGS. Its 8.5 grade from Beckett is impressive, especially given the thickness of the card and the on-card nature of the autographs. 

The BGS Certificate Number for this card is: 0013203615.

This lot also includes a copy of the October 29, 1984 edition of Sporting News that features Michael Jordan on the cover in medical scrubs under the headline “The Next Dr. J?” as well as four hard-copy photographs featuring the pair.