S
otheby’s is proud to present Modern Collectibles, featuring an emerging group of property that is helping to define a cultural relevance in the collectibles category. Cherished by popular opinion, demand, and creativity - Modern Collectibles can range from sneakers to sports cards to skateboards and fine leather trunks. This auction features a host of items including a Supreme Bicycle formerly owned by Eric Clapton, a Will Smith screen worn t-shirt from the film ‘Men In Black’, a Panini National Treasures 'Assistant to the Traveling Secretary’ card featuring ‘Seinfeld’s’ George Costanza, a 2016 ‘Back to the Future’ Nike MAG, and a 1986 GEM MT 10 Jordan Rookie Card, one of the most sought-after sports cards.
One of the rarest items from the Supreme archives is their infamous collaboration with the independent American bicycle manufacturer Brooklyn Machine Works. In 1998 Supreme founder James Jebbia commissioned Brooklyn Machine Works to produce a bespoke version of their 24” hardtail BMX cruiser bike. Each of the 36 bikes were hand made in Brooklyn and featured Supreme branding on the frame, alongside Supreme engraving on the forks, stem and brake booster.
Jebbia gifted bikes to senior store employees who were working at the four Supreme stores in New York, Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka at the time. These bikes came with a choice of red, black, white, blue or yellow paint finishes, and were never sold to the public. This white version of the Supreme/BMW cruiser was once owned by friend of the brand, Eric Clapton when he was living in New York.
Released on July 2nd, 1997, Men in Black follows the story of long time government official ‘K’ (Tommy Lee Jones) and his new partner, ‘J’ (Will Smith), as they are tasked with monitoring alien activity on earth.
Sotheby’s is proud to offer the original shirt worn by Will Smith when his character first enters the ‘Men In Black’ headquarters and begins his transition from ‘James Darrell Edwards III’ to ‘Agent J’, including in the famous scene in which ‘Agent J’ has his thumbprints removed. The shirt is offered with other complimentary items.
Seinfeld, also known as “The Show about Nothing” documented the chronicles of four friends living in New York through the late 80s and 90s. The characters included Jerry Seinfeld, George Costanza, Elaine Benes and Cosmo Kramer. Debuted in 1989, some consider ‘Seinfeld’ to be one of the most successful sitcoms of all time.
A fan favorite, viewers of the show will recall that George Costanza struggled to maintain a steady career, often jumping from job to job. However at the end of the 5th season, in an episode titled “The Opposite” George found some stability as the ‘Assistant to the Traveling Secretary’ for the New York Yankees. The episode was notable as George realized that almost every instinct in his life was incorrect, and as such decided to consistently do ‘the opposite’ of whatever he thought would – in fact – be the right decision. His choices throughout the episode – the opposite of what he felt he should do – ultimately landed him a job with the Yankees.
Created by Panini National Treasures with a flash of humor, and graded a 9 Mint by PSA the ‘Assistant to the Traveling Secretary’ card features a jersey patch of a pinstripe uniform from Jason Alexander as the character George Costanza.
The Nike MAG which premiered in the 1989 sequel, Back to the Future II, was instantly one of the most coveted – but unavailable – shoes in history. In the film, Marty time travels to the year 2015, and famously turns on his Nike MAGs featuring ‘power laces’, that self-tie. That moment became iconic in the history of footwear.
The 2016 release was limited to just 89 pairs worldwide, and notably features self-lacing ‘Adaptive Fit’ technology, as prophesied in the 1989 film. An individually responsive system, ‘Adaptive Fit’ senses the wearer and tightens and loosens the sneakers according to the foot, bringing the design elements from ‘ Back to the Future’ to life.
Basketball’s greatest legend Michael Jordan, needs no introduction. If one were to name his accomplishments in the sport, the list would include many of the greatest achievements and history-making moments in professional sports history. Presented is one of the most sought-after modern cards of any type, and arguably the most popular card from any era or sport. This is an opportunity for a collection of basketball cards to reach the apex of refinement.
The card notably has become an iconic image in its class of collectibles, harkening other hallmark collectibles such as Action Comics No. 1, the T206 Honus Wagner, the Nike Moon Shoe, and more. Truly, the summum bonum of the basketball card collecting hobby.
