Joe Namath's Iconic 1965 Rookie Photo Achieves Record Sale at Goldin Co. Auction

• Posted: December 8, 2023, 1:29 am
• in Sports Card News
• by admin

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A historic 1965 Type 1 photograph of Joe Namath, which was used for his famous rookie card, recently sold for an impressive $197,640 at a Goldin Co. auction. This sale not only marks a record for Type 1 football photographs but also highlights the lasting appeal of Namath's image in sports collectibles.

The photograph, vital for creating Namath's sought-after 1965 Topps rookie card, has become one of the most coveted items in the realm of football card collecting. Its significant sale price at the Goldin Co.'s November Elite Auction reflects the photograph's immense value and appeal to collectors.

Other remarkable pieces featured in the Goldin Co. auction included:

• A dual-signed Type 1 photo from 1967 of Muhammad Ali and Wilt Chamberlain, taken during their “Wide World of Sports” fight promotion, which sold for $17,080.
• A signed Type 1 photo of Michael Jordan from his 1984-85 rookie season, also auctioned for $17,080.
• A Type 1 photo from 1994 showcasing Tiger Woods, commemorating the year he became the youngest U.S. Amateur Championship winner, fetched $7,595.

Additionally, the auction presented several other significant Type 1 photos:

• A Michael Jordan photo from the 1988 Playoffs, captured by the New York Times, highlighting his back-to-back 50-point games in the NBA playoffs, was sold for $6,100.
• A rare 1983 photo from the infamous "Pine Tar Game" featuring George Brett, sold for $4,574.
• A 1985 photo from a Sports Illustrated shoot with Mike Tyson in trainer Cus D'Amato's Catskills gym was auctioned for $3,660.

These sales at the Goldin Co. auction underscore the rich history and strong interest in sports photography and memorabilia, celebrating iconic moments and figures from various sports.