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Megadeth Memorabilia Auction

This is the sixth edition of a multi-part blog series produced in partnership with The Realest on the key events and factors shaping the modern music memorabilia market. The Realest is the first dedicated authentication standard and marketplace for music memorabilia.

Megadeth: Megastars of the Thrash Metal Universe

Emerging from the Los Angeles metal scene in the early 1980s, Megadeth, spearheaded by Dave Mustaine, has etched its name into the halls of heavy metal history. 

Founded after Mustaine’s departure from Metallica, Megadeth has become a cornerstone of the thrash metal genre. With a notable front-man driving the show, Megadeth has managed to not only cement its place within a competitive metal scene, but has also secured the admiration and respect of fans, with the Cyber Army providing one of music's strongest followings.

The band's debut album, Killing Is My Business…And Business Is Good!, released in 1985, served as a declaration of intent for the fast rising act. Backed by Mustaine's blistering guitar riffs, combined with his easily recognizable vocals, it didn’t take long for Megadeth to establish itself as a formidable force within the world of thrash metal. In a later interview, Mustaine would note that the debut album, and the emergence of Megadeth, were borne from a desire to be faster and heavier than Metallica, a theme that would continue throughout the 1980s and 1990s. With an initial album that showcased Mustaine's songwriting prowess while offering timely and relatable context, the album would go on to become one of Combat Records' highest selling releases despite failing to chart on the Billboard 200.

Megadeth's subsequent albums, Peace Sells…But Who's Buying? (1986) and Rust in Peace (1988), further solidified their position as thrash metal royalty. Peace Sells…, with its anti-war and socially conscious themes, expanded the band's reach into the realm of extreme metal while also incorporating a unique blend of the more common progressive metal. The album's title track provided an indictment of the global arms trade and became somewhat of a protest song for a generation that felt a growing sense of disillusion with the world around them.

Throughout the late 1980s, productions like Rust in Peace delivered songs such as "Holy Wars…The Punishment Due," "Hangar 18," and "Tornado of Souls" which played a role in laying the foundation for what would become a breakout stretch over the next decade. Known as the "big four" of thrash metal, Anthrax, Megadeth, Metallica, and Slayer each carved their own path up the Billboard charts as various renditions of metal became increasingly popular both in the states and in Europe.

The early 1990s witnessed Megadeth's commercial breakthrough with albums like Countdown to Extinction (1992) and Youthanasia (1994). Countdown to Extinction propelled the band into mainstream success as it was the band's first certified platinum record and reached number two on the Billboard 200. Youthanasia followed with a top-four Billboard appearance and yet another RIAA Platinum award while three years later, Cryptic Writing also hit the top-ten.

Much like their big-four counterparts, Megadeth started to weave radio-friendly singles within their albums to broaden their appeal and attract new listeners while retaining their core fanbase.

Despite lineup changes and various personnel struggles, Megadeth continued to release critically acclaimed albums throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. After their 1999 album Risk left much to be desired with its attempt to garner mainstream success, The World Needs a Hero went live in 2001 with a quick climb to #16 on the Billboard chart and a return to metal supremacy for Mustaine and Co.

Megadeth Memorabilia Market

This influence extends beyond their music, as the market for Megadeth memorabilia offers a diverse and dynamic range of collectibles from guitars and stage-worn clothing to handwritten lyrics and original posters. 

Stage-used guitars played by Mustaine have realized five-figures at auction in various styles, ranging from Jackson King V double-necks to Dana Bourgeois acoustic guitars. 

The Realest has opened its inaugural auction with a significant collection of Megadeth memorabilia on the block. There are multiple setlists, including one from a show in Prior Lake, Minnesota that is signed by members of the band in addition to Tama drum sticks personally autographed by their user, Dirk Verbeuren. 

This Summer, Megadeth embarked on a tour across Europe and The Realest will be showcasing collectibles from their performances. We've previously highlighted the market for concert posters and three limited edition originals, including a pair from intimate yet equally iconic shows, will be available through the marketplace hosted by The Realest. As with all of the memorabilia sold through the site, collectors can rest assured knowing all posters and autographs have been authenticated as original as opposed to reprints that can be found on other secondary market sites.

The headline item of the event is an iconic Gibson Flying V guitar that was used on stage by Dave Mustaine. In an opaque market where authenticity is often questionable at best, this guitar has been personally presented by Mustaine and Megadeth management with authentication covering both the instrument and Mustaine’s signature. With an impressive 40 bids and counting, the Gibson is nearing $4,000 with more than 5 days remaining in the event. 

In total, 36 different Megadeth collectibles are up for auction with each of them having already secured at least one bid. To explore the Megadeth memorabilia market and their latest auction hosted by The Realest, head over to https://therealest.com/marketplace. 

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Disclaimer: You understand that by reading Altan Insights, you are not receiving financial advice. No content published here constitutes a recommendation that any particular security, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. You further understand that the author(s) are not advising you personally concerning the nature, potential, value or suitability of any particular security, transaction, or investment strategy. You alone are solely responsible for determining whether an investment, security or strategy, or any other product or service, is appropriate or suitable for you based on your investment objectives and personal financial situation. Please speak with a financial advisor to understand if the risks inherent in trading are appropriate for you. Trade at your own risk.

Sotheby’s and NBA Strike Auction Partnership

Sotheby's has entered a multiyear partnership with the NBA to auction game-worn jerseys and memorabilia. The collaboration has already launched with over 60 game-worn jerseys on offer, including those worn by notable players like Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson in their debut regular season games, along with jerseys from other stars from both this and past seasons. Highlights from the auction will be displayed at Sotheby's New York Headquarters from November 14-21, with bidding continuing through November 21.

The partnership plans nine auctions, focusing on specific NBA games and events rather than team-based auctions. MeiGray will continue to authenticate the league’s game-used items. As of early Friday morning, the bidding for Wembanyama's jersey had reached $100,000. Brahm Wachter, Head of Modern Collectibles at Sotheby’s, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the global appeal of NBA memorabilia and Sotheby's commitment to offering unique objects with exceptional provenance.

Throughout the 2023-24 NBA season, Sotheby’s will host various auctions, primarily online, featuring exclusive NBA game-worn jerseys, apparel, and memorabilia. These auctions will include items from major NBA events like Christmas Day games, All-Star Weekend, the NBA Finals, and more. Additionally, Sotheby's plans to conduct live auction events after the NBA All-Star Game and Finals, with auction bidders also invited to special events organized by the auction house. NBA 

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1962 Ferrari GTO sells for $52 Million at Auction

A 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO has become the second most expensive car ever auctioned, selling for $52 million at RM Sotheby's. This sale price, though significant, fell short of its $60 million asking price, reflecting a slight downturn in the market for collectible cars. The car, previously bought privately by collector Jim Jaeger in 1985 for around $500,000, was sold to an anonymous bidder. The Ferrari, one of only 34 produced and one of two raced by Ferrari’s own team, was featured in Sotheby’s high-profile New York fall auctions, using the collection of high-profile bidders to strike up some interest in the car.

The car's inclusion in the auction, alongside other unique items like a Jean Royère sofa at Christie's contemporary art sale, reflects a shift in auction houses' strategies to attract collectors. These additions create an anything-goes atmosphere in auctions traditionally focused on high-end art. However, the effectiveness of this approach is questionable, as the Ferrari sold for less than its anticipated price. The GTO model, particularly this one with a championship track record including a class win at the 1962 Nürburgring 1000 KM, commands a premium among car collectors.

The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO's rarity is underscored by its infrequent appearance in the market, with the last sale of a 250 GTO by RM Sotheby’s in 2018 fetching $48.4 million. This particular GTO, initially sold in 1964 for about $6,000, exemplifies the significant appreciation in value of these rare collectible cars over time.

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Collectible Happenings

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Certified Collectibles Group (CCG) is set to open an office in Dubai in 2024 to provide easier access for collectors and dealers in the UAE and surrounding region to their leading authentication, grading, and encapsulation services for coins, banknotes, and pop culture collectibles. This expansion aims to better serve the fast-growing Middle Eastern collectibles market, with CCG offering full insurance coverage for items submitted to their Dubai office for certification and return. CCG

An online auction titled “The Fashion of Prince” by RR Auction showcases the evolving style of American musician Prince, featuring items from his iconic Purple Rain era to his 1990s phase, including lace-laden attire and his famous ruffled shirt from the American Music Awards. The auction, which also includes master tapes, backstage passes, and other ephemera, captures Prince's unique fashion sense, with the items sourced from collectors and those close to him, such as his ex-wife Mayte Garcia. ARTNET

Ron and Mary Knappen, a Wisconsin couple who once ran a profitable business selling vintage telephones, are now struggling to find buyers for their massive collection of tens of thousands of phones. Despite their once thriving business that generated nearly $1 million a year, changing tastes and technology have diminished interest in their inventory, leaving them with a vast collection stored across multiple properties, including barns, sheds, and a multi-room museum. MADISON.COM

Mark Rothko's "Untitled (Yellow, Orange, Yellow, Light Orange)" from 1955, a key highlight of Christie's New York auction, sold for $46.4 million, slightly over its $45 million estimate, underscoring the enduring passion for Abstract Expressionism. This sale, alongside record-breaking works by other abstract artists like Joan Mitchell and Richard Diebenkorn, demonstrates the continued strong market demand for Abstract Expressionist art, with Rothko's work exemplifying the genre's deep emotional impact and visual power. ARTNET

Robert Edward Auctions is set to offer one of only ten known copies of Babe Ruth’s first trading card, the 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth, in its upcoming Fall Catalog Auction. This rare card, graded SGC 3 (VG), is the highest-graded example on the SGC Population Report with bidding currently sitting at $5,250,000. SPORTSCOLLECTORSDAILY

Kobe Bryant's last road game uniform and shoes, worn during an April 11, 2016 game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, are set to be auctioned by SCP Auctions with an estimate exceeding $500,000. This memorabilia, photo-matched by Resolution Photomatching and Sports Investors Authentication, has a current bid of $50,000 with 15 days left in the sale. SPORTSCOLLECTORSDAILY

Goldin privately sold a PSA type I photo of Michael Jordan for $225,000. They claim it is the highest sale for any Jordan type I photo. GOLDIN

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Feel free to reach out to Keenan@Altaninsights.com for any questions/comments.

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Disclaimer: You understand that by reading Altan Insights, you are not receiving financial advice. No content published here constitutes a recommendation that any particular security, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. You further understand that the author(s) are not advising you personally concerning the nature, potential, value or suitability of any particular security, transaction, or investment strategy. You alone are solely responsible for determining whether an investment, security or strategy, or any other product or service, is appropriate or suitable for you based on your investment objectives and personal financial situation. Please speak with a financial advisor to understand if the risks inherent in trading are appropriate for you. Trade at your own risk.

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For those of us who track art and collectibles markets, it’s the most wonderful time of the year.

With art and luxury on the block, November often acts as the crescendo of the auction season before the industry heads home for the holidays.

The jaw-dropping sales that increase in frequency this time of year are already rolling in. In a single week, we saw a diamond sell for $44 million, multiple paintings hammer for more than $100 million, and the first multi-million U.S. stamp.

Except for a few consignment headlines, the sports memorabilia market has remained largely subdued. However, that relative dormancy - which has persisted since the late summer sales in August - could end this week with the spotlight turning to none other than... **drum roll**... golf.  

In hindsight, we probably should have opted for golf claps instead of the drumroll.

All joking aside, this is a serious week for collectors of golf memorabilia as arguably the most important auction for this niche market is scheduled to close on Friday.Golden Age Auctions, which sold a set of Tiger Woods clubs in 2022 for $5.6 million and now lays claim to the most expensive sale for any golf memorabilia, is hosting its 2023 Premier Auction and no record is safe.

There’s Walter Hagen’s Patek Philippe Pocket Watch, which was awarded to the late golf legend after he won the 1914 US Open, his first of 11 Major Championships. The watch is already priced above $36,000 which easily makes it the most expensive golf-related watch ever sold at auction. For context on the golf-watch market, in 2007, Christie’s sold the 18K Golf wristwatch presented to Gene Sarazen after his 1922 Open Championship for $31,000.

While the watch is certainly an impressive award, it’s a Masters Tournament Trophy that has already cleared six figures. Sam Snead, the winner of three Masters Tournaments, won his first in 1949 which also happened to be the year that the Augusta National Golf Club began fitting its victors with the now coveted green jacket.

Until only recently, it was Masters trophies and jackets that controlled the leaderboard of golf memorabilia. When Golden Age sold a Masters trophy won by Arnold Palmer for $444,012 in 2016, it stood behind Horten Smith’s 1936 green jacket, which was given retroactively, as the second most expensive golf memorabilia sold. There have now been two Masters trophies that have sold for at least $500,000 and nine that have hammered for at least six figures.

Aside from Tiger Woods, demand for modern golf memorabilia has been limited to say the least. In a sport dominated by legends of old, there will be a new record established for any Rory Mcllroy-used club as his Nike Method Prototype Putter has neared $20,000 through 32 bids. The bidding activity provides a positive sign for Rory’s demand as the putter last sold in 2017 for $5,011.

For golf fans familiar with the Disney movie The Greatest Game Ever Played, a PSA Type-1 photo of protagonist and 1913 US Open champion Francis Ouimet and his caddie Eddie Lowery could become the most expensive golf photo ever sold. It was less than a year ago when the record was set by an image from the 1934 Masters that sold for $82,246 and this latest image already stands as the eighth Type-1 golf photo to exceed $20,000 at Golden Age.

Last, but certainly not least, there’s a red dot Tiger putter.

Cited in a Scotty Cameron-signed COA as Tiger’s “Actual Back Up” putter, this club could be the crème de la crème of publicly available golf putters. As those close to the game of golf collecting know, Tiger used the same red dot Scotty Cameron putter throughout the course of his storied career. While that putter would likely appraise in the ballpark of $10 million, the putter up for auction this week is rumored to be the only other red dot gamer ever used by Tiger in tournament play. Steeped in a compelling backstory which features a frustrated Tiger, the putter set to go under the hammer this week is rumored to be the sole alternative red dot ever used by the legend in tournament play. The tale goes that Tiger, in a moment of anger, damaged his preferred putter and was forced to finish the round using one of his backup clubs. While the existing record for any red dot stands at $393,300, the question looms: could speculation propel this putter into the record books?

Picasso Portrait sells for $139 Million in Fisher Landau Sale

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A Picasso painting, "Femme à la montre" from 1932 featuring his 'golden muse' Marie-Thérèse Walter, fetched $139.4 million ($121M hammer price), marking the second-highest auction price for the artist's work. The piece was the star of the Emily Fisher Landau sale, held by Sotheby's who earlier secured the rights to manage Landau's esteemed estate. Landau, a board member of the Whitney Museum and a private museum owner, treasured this painting, displaying it prominently in her home.

The auction saw intense bidding, starting at $95 million and soaring to the pre-sale estimate of $120 million after a competitive session among bidders, including international collectors. Brooke Lampley, Sotheby’s head of global fine art, secured the final bid for her client.

This is the highest price for a Picasso work at auction in eight years. The sale of Les Femmes d’Alger (Version ‘O’) in May of 2015 at Christie’s still holds the auction record for the Spanish artist. ARTNET

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Rare stamp sells for $2 Million

The Inverted Jenny, a rare 1918 U.S. stamp featuring an upside-down airplane, has broken records by selling for $2 million at Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries in New York. This sale represents an enormous leap from its original cost of 24 cents, marking an extraordinary moment in philately.

The stamp gained its fame due to a printing error during the rush to release it for the inaugural airmail flight, resulting in the famed inversion. William T. Robey, a bank teller, purchased the only sheet of 100 error stamps and quickly sold them for a substantial profit, which then changed hands for even more.

The Inverted Jenny has since become a legend among stamp collectors, with various blocks and individual stamps from the original sheet fetching high prices at auction. The most recent sale of the position 49 stamp, known for its exceptional condition and "Mint Never-Hinged" status, set a new high for a single U.S. stamp. This particular stamp, stored in a bank vault for a century, was previously sold for $1.59 million in 2018 before reaching its record-breaking price in the latest auction, where an anonymous buyer prevailed in a competitive bidding.

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Collectible Happenings

Items associated with the assassination of John F. Kennedy, including a section of the picket fence from the "grassy knoll" and a window from the Texas School Book Depository, are being auctioned by RR Auction, 60 years after the event. The auction, closing on November 8, also features Lee Harvey Oswald's first handgun, his jail call receipt, and JFK's 1945 personal diary. TMZ

Barbara Walters' estate, valued at around $8 million, is up for auction at Bonhams, featuring over 300 lots including American art, jewelry, fashion, and furniture from her Upper East Side home. Highlights of the auction, which runs through November 7 with a live event on November 6, include her audacious jewelry collection and a John Singer Sargent portrait, with net proceeds going to undisclosed charities. ARTNET

An extremely rare 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth rookie trading card, once belonging to a Baltimore News newspaper boy and later housed at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, is now up for auction. With only ten known examples, this card, graded VG 3 by SGC, is the second-finest confirmed example and is expected to fetch a record-breaking price, reflecting Ruth's unparalleled legacy in baseball and the trading card industry. REA

During a drug bust in Melbourne's south-east, police seized an estimated $200,000 worth of Lego, along with methamphetamine, gemstones, cash, and an imitation firearm. A 36-year-old man faces multiple charges related to the bust, where the items seized are believed to be proceeds of crime. 9NEWS MELBOURNE

Thieves executed a well-organized heist at the Royal Lancers & Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Museum by cutting through the floor to steal "priceless" silver military antiques, including a rosewater dish similar to the Wimbledon women's singles trophy. The burglary, which included items of high sentimental value, occurred early Sunday morning, prompting concerns that the stolen artifacts might be melted down for their silver content. BBC

A federal judge has resolved a long-standing family dispute over the ownership of four Norman Rockwell drawings that hung in the White House, ruling in favor of William Nile Elam III. The case involved allegations of theft and concealed ownership, but the judge found insufficient evidence of these claims, concluding that the artworks had been legitimately passed down to Elam from his ancestors. ARTNET

 As New York's art auctions approach amid global economic uncertainties, major auction houses like Christie's, Sotheby's, and Phillips are cautiously pricing and securing top artworks, such as a Picasso valued over $120 million from the Emily Fisher Landau estate. The art market, currently valued at $60 billion, faces a potential down cycle, with signs of softening demand and a shift in buyer focus, despite expectations that the November season could generate significant revenue for the auction houses. NYTIMES

Geddy Lee, the famed lead singer of the rock band Rush and an avid baseball memorabilia collector, is putting his historic baseball collection up for auction with Christie’s and Hunt Auctions. The collection, featuring nearly 300 items including rare artifacts like a baseball signed by “Shoeless” Joe Jackson and memorabilia from Negro Leagues legends, will be auctioned starting December 6, with public viewing from December 1-5. SPORTSCOLLECTORSDIGEST

CGC Video Games™ is now offering grading services for box-only submissions, allowing collectors to protect and grade individual components of their favorite games, including special limited-edition and display-only boxes. This service is available for games currently eligible for CGC Video Games’ certification, excluding items like Big Boxes, homebrews, and reproductions. CGC

A hoverboard prop used by Michael J. Fox's character Marty McFly in the sci-fi film "Back to the Future: Part II" was auctioned on Tuesday, June 21st, fetching $156,000. This iconic prop, a lightweight foam board painted pink and decorated with "HOVERBOARD" and Mattel logos, exhibits wear from use and age, including a repaired crack and repositioned footpad fastening strips. PROPSTORE

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Feel free to reach out to Keenan@Altaninsights.com for any questions/comments.

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Disclaimer: You understand that by reading Altan Insights, you are not receiving financial advice. No content published here constitutes a recommendation that any particular security, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. You further understand that the author(s) are not advising you personally concerning the nature, potential, value or suitability of any particular security, transaction, or investment strategy. You alone are solely responsible for determining whether an investment, security or strategy, or any other product or service, is appropriate or suitable for you based on your investment objectives and personal financial situation. Please speak with a financial advisor to understand if the risks inherent in trading are appropriate for you. Trade at your own risk.

GemRate October Recap

GemRate’s October recap is here! Year over year increases for every grader, with CGC finding +101% gains over the past year. SGC found a record monthly high of 129,000 cards graded, growing +12% since September and +59% over the past year. 

PSA still remains top dog, in no small part thanks to TCG & Non Sport grading. Rising +68% over the last year, but falling off by -8% since September. CGC has also found continued growth in the category, growing by a whopping +180% since September. Though there was some pop report maintenance over at CGC this month, they are claiming that these numbers are accurate.

Wemby-mania has reached the hobby in full force, even with a supply of cards that have only just been released, the French phenom’s Topps Now Draft card is the most graded PSA sports card of the month. GEMRATE

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Artist hit with $1.6 million in damages for selling ‘replica’ BAYC NFTs

In a recent legal dispute over the NFT series Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), artist Ryder Ripps and co-creator Jeremy Cahen have been ordered by a California judge to pay over $1.5 million in damages. They had attempted to produce and sell their own version of Bored Apes, labeled RR/BAYC (Ryder Ripps Bored Ape Yacht Club), claiming it was a parody. U.S. District Judge John F. Walter rejected this defense.

The court found that Ripps and Cahen had "intentionally infringed" on Yuga’s BAYC Marks. Despite initial legal action by Yuga Labs, the defendants continued to market their RR/BAYC NFT collection. The court observed strong similarities between the two products, emphasizing that Ripps’s NFTs were too similar to Yuga's trademarks, leading to potential online user confusion. ARTNET

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Collectible Happenings

The uniform and shoes Kobe Bryant wore during his final road game will be auctioned by SCP Auctions in mid-November. Earlier this year, a Bryant jersey from his 2007-08 MVP season fetched $5.8 million, highlighting the high demand for memorabilia linked to the basketball legend. SPORTSCOLLECTORSDAILY

The 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary Coupé driven by Jordan Belfort in the movie ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ is going up for sale at Bonhams. Estimated at $1.5 - $2 million the car will be sold following the close of this Formula 1 season in Abu Dhabi. BONHAMS

eBay has introduced a new mailing kit tailored for sellers of ungraded, lower-value trading cards, offering an eBay-branded envelope with a three-pocket insert for card placement and a protective cardboard insert. Priced at $41.33, the kit provides 100 envelopes, pockets, and cardboard inserts, streamlining the company's low-cost Standard Envelope shipping option which allows for sending up to 15 raw cards with USPS tracking. SPORTSCOLLECTORSDAILY

Serop Simonian, an art dealer, has been arrested and charged with leading an illegal trafficking ring that allegedly sold trafficked Egyptian antiquities to institutions like the Louvre and the Met. The global investigation has implicated multiple dealers and museum professionals, with Simonian believed to have sold the artifacts for around €60 million ($63 million), claiming they left Egypt legally in the 1970s. ARTNET

Vince Lombardi's iconic office phone, once turned over to his longtime secretary Ruth McKloskey after his tenure as the Packers’ general manager ended in 1968, is up for auction at Heritage Auctions. Complete with a silver plate courtesy of Mack Trucks and boasting an engraving of "Vince Lombardi", the phone is expected to fetch upwards of $20,000 in the company's Fall Sports Catalog Auction. SPORTSCOLLECTORSDAILY

BONUS HALLOWEEN CONTENT: A+ Costume of a Steph Curry card TWITTER

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Feel free to reach out to Keenan@Altaninsights.com for any questions/comments.

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Enjoyed this article? Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter to receive more like it in your inbox weekly!‍

Disclaimer: You understand that by reading Altan Insights, you are not receiving financial advice. No content published here constitutes a recommendation that any particular security, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. You further understand that the author(s) are not advising you personally concerning the nature, potential, value or suitability of any particular security, transaction, or investment strategy. You alone are solely responsible for determining whether an investment, security or strategy, or any other product or service, is appropriate or suitable for you based on your investment objectives and personal financial situation. Please speak with a financial advisor to understand if the risks inherent in trading are appropriate for you. Trade at your own risk.

EDHREC Acquires Cardsphere

MtG trading website, Cardsphere, has been acquired by Space Cow Media. The transaction will take place on November 1st, 2023, when it will join other TCG products under Space Cow’s brand like EDHREC and Archidekt.

Users should not expect significant changes to the Cardsphere service, but the transition will likely cause hiccups in certain aspects of the service. Two of the three founding members are staying on during the transition to try to smooth everything out for users.

Space Cow acquired Cardsphere for their active community of MtG traders as well as the unique trade-flow of cards. Cardsphere operates similarly to VeriSwap, a trusted trading hub for sports card collectors. CARDSPHERE

Christie’s Rainmaker Jussi Pylkkänen to Depart After 38 Years

Global president of Christie’s, Jussi Pylkkänen, will be stepping down after a 38 year career with the house. He plans to step down at the end of the year and become an independent art advisor.

Pylkkänen has presided over some of the most talked about sales of the last 30 years. ‘Salvator Mundi’ and ‘Shot Sage Blue Marilyn’ both were hammered down by Pylkkänen, the former for $450.3M (record price for a painting) and the latter for $195M (record auction price for a contemporary work). Last year he was the auctioneer for the Paul Allen sale; the largest single owner sale in history, totaling $1.5B in sales.

The auctioneer has played a significant role in the growth of the house since joining in the mid-1980s. He lead the impressionist and Modern department starting in 1995, he then ran operations in Europe, the Middle East, and Russia, before becoming Global President in 2014.

Pylkkänen reflected on his career at the house by saying: 

“Christie’s is an inspiring place to work and has brought me great happiness across four decades working with the very best specialists in the market, at the very heart of the art world.  I have been privileged to have the opportunity to befriend collectors all over the globe and auctioneer works of art of superb quality in every category in London, New York, Paris and Hong Kong.  The art market continues to evolve and the extraordinary influx of buyers at the top of the market now offers me a unique opportunity to share my experience with a new generation of collectors who are keen to buy major works of art both privately and at auction.” ARTNEWS

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Collectible Happenings

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The vast art collection of the late Silvio Berlusconi, former Italian prime minister, has been criticized by leading art critic Vittorio Sgarbi as being primarily of low quality and little value. Despite its size, only a handful of the artworks hold significant artistic value, and managing the collection is becoming a costly and challenging task for Berlusconi's heirs. BBC

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Saudi artist Mohammed Al-Saleem set a new world record for Saudi artists by selling his 1986 artwork for $1.1 million at Sotheby’s 20th Century Art/Middle East sale in London, surpassing its pre-sale estimate by seven times. The artwork, inspired by Riyadh's skyline, previously held a record of $91,000 at Sotheby’s in 2019, and is part of a collection showcasing prominent Saudi modernists. ARABNEWS

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The iconic 1993 New Yorker cartoon by Peter Steiner, featuring two dogs with the caption "On the internet, nobody knows you’re a dog," has become the most reprinted cartoon in the magazine's history and recently sold for a record-breaking $175,000 at auction. Steiner, surprised by the cartoon's success, shared that the cartoon is more of a reflection of his feelings of being an imposter rather than solely about the internet. SMITHSONIANMAG

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Christie's New York will proceed with the auction of Paul Cézanne's "Fruits et pot de gingembre" after brokering a restitution agreement between Switzerland's Langmatt Foundation and the heirs of the painting's pre-World War II Jewish owner, Jacob Goldschmidt. The work is expected to bring in between $35 and $55 million. ARTNET

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Paul McCartney's fully restored double-decker bus, used during his iconic 1972 Wings tour of Europe, is set to be auctioned by Julien’s Auctions with an estimated value of $200,000-$300,000. This 1953 Bristol KSW, known as WNO 481, not only served as McCartney's tour bus but was also artistically painted in a psychedelic style reminiscent of the Beatles' Yellow Submarine and was designed to be family-friendly, accommodating band members' children with features like bunk beds and a play area. ARTNET

Rally has sold out of a set of 200 Mickey Mantle Relic cards. Except, it isn’t his jersey or a bat inside of the card, it is a piece of his childhood home. More specifically, a piece of corrugated steel that had come loose on the side of the barn. Rally claims that there will not be any issuance of barn relics in the future. RALLY

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Auction house Christie's collaborated with the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in an event titled "Know Who We Are" during Frieze London arts week, showcasing and auctioning contemporary African art to support MOWAA's upcoming exhibitions. The increasing popularity and recognition of African art on the global stage is evident with significant sales, including a piece by Tunji Adeniyi-Jones selling for £75,600, and the art genre has seen a transformational rise in its influence and value in galleries, auctions, and collectors' choices worldwide. AFRICANBUSINESS

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Heritage Auctions is selling Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s game-worn Bucks jersey from the 1970-71 regular season and playoffs, including the championship securing game four of the 1971 NBA finals. HERITAGE

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Heritage is set to auction a highly sought-after 1977 Topps Star Wars Series Luke Skywalker sticker, the only one graded as PSA Gem Mint 10 with an MBA Gold Diamond certification, expected to fetch over $100,000. The Nov. 9 event will feature 182 other PSA Gem Mint 10 cards from the iconic 1977 Topps Star Wars series, including notable cards of Darth Vader and Han Solo, reflecting the enduring popularity of this franchise in the collectible world. HERITAGE

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Feel free to reach out to Keenan@Altaninsights.com for any questions/comments.

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Disclaimer: You understand that by reading Altan Insights, you are not receiving financial advice. No content published here constitutes a recommendation that any particular security, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. You further understand that the author(s) are not advising you personally concerning the nature, potential, value or suitability of any particular security, transaction, or investment strategy. You alone are solely responsible for determining whether an investment, security or strategy, or any other product or service, is appropriate or suitable for you based on your investment objectives and personal financial situation. Please speak with a financial advisor to understand if the risks inherent in trading are appropriate for you. Trade at your own risk.

^{Photo: RR Auction}

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Shovels don't often sell for close to one million dollars.

Most shovels, though, haven't been thrust into the moon's surface. Most shovels haven't collected hundreds of pounds in lunar samples. And even among those that have, most haven't returned to earth to tell the tale. They rest up there looking down on us, stranded vestiges of missions in which they had served their purpose and then represented nothing more than unneeded weight.

‍Charlie Duke's scoop from Apollo 16 made it back to earth, and last week it sold for $874,998 in a $2 million event at RR Auction, the house that has seemingly cornered the market for artifacts that braved the final frontier.

‍Twice annually for the last decade, RR Auction has hosted Space Exploration and Aviation auction events, assembling troves of assets that have spent time in space on missions. People talk about collectibles "mooning" - many of the assets sold at RR literally have. And the values aren't so pedestrian and earthly either.

Duke's lunar scoop is the second most expensive item to see the moon's surface sold by the auction house. The crown belongs to Commander Scott's Apollo 15 lunar surface-worn chronograph, the only privately-owned watch worn on the moon, which sold for $1,592,500 back in 2015.  Those two items stand above the fray of all of the controllers, manuals, computers, and checklists that have crossed the auction block.

Along the way, the auction house has built a sturdy competitive position in space exploration artifacts. Competition for earthly consignments and historical objects is fierce, but items that have left our atmosphere very frequently end up at RR, and then many of those same objects end up back at RR when the previous buyer is ready to move on. Can you call something as vast as space a niche?

Many of the consignments come from the astronauts themselves, or at least they did the first time they were sold, contributing to enviable provenance. Memorabilia from other categories so often relies upon the word of one person who came into contact with the star in a fateful moment some 20 years earlier. The astronauts' collections are surprisingly broad and deep; some have had a bevy of space-flown flags up for sale. What, were these guys stuffing their suits with merch like NFL rookies wearing 25 jerseys at once at the rookie photoshoot?! Nonetheless, space flags just so happen to be a hot category.

Over the last decade at RR, we count 183 lots containing flags that have flown in space, amassing nearly $1.4 million in total sales. While the wind doesn't blow in space - except for solar wind - the flag category seems to be enjoying a nice tailwind in 2023. Sales have totaled nearly $193k with an average sales price of just over $12,000. That's both the highest volume and average in the last four years by some margin. The closest figures were achieved in 2022 with $151k in volume and nearly $8,400 in average sales price respectively.

‍The repeat sales - and there are many of them - often support the idea of rising interest and dollar values. At last week's auction, the Apollo 11 flown flag from the collection of Michael Collins sold for $86,100. The flag previously sold in 2014 for $55,125. Or take Dave Scott's Apollo 15 Landed Flag Display. It eked out gains from a prior April 2020 sale of $15,000 when it sold for $18,749 last week.

The oddity - or space oddity, if you will - is that repeat sales do occur with such frequency. It's not surprising that the items resurface at RR when they do sell, given the house's well-carved competitive position, but we're a bit surprised to find space collectors are such serial flippers.  Four of the top 24 lots in the event had sold at the house previously. That's probably not a percentage dissimilar from what you might see at a high-end art auction, but we wonder what inspires collectors to sell their space swag. Do they just look up at the moon one day and say, "Eh, I've seen enough"? Or is it an aging collecting base in general?

Either way, the vintage space memorabilia category is fascinating. Can't wait to see what Bezos and Elon make of the ultra-modern category.

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Disclaimer: You understand that by reading Altan Insights, you are not receiving financial advice. No content published here constitutes a recommendation that any particular security, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. You further understand that the author(s) are not advising you personally concerning the nature, potential, value or suitability of any particular security, transaction, or investment strategy. You alone are solely responsible for determining whether an investment, security or strategy, or any other product or service, is appropriate or suitable for you based on your investment objectives and personal financial situation. Please speak with a financial advisor to understand if the risks inherent in trading are appropriate for you. Trade at your own risk.

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Future generations will never know the sheer panic, resulting relief, and pulse-pounding thrill of thinking you left the tickets to the big game on the counter, only to remember you slid them into your back pocket on the way out the door. There they are, phew.

They're also unlikely to nurture a growing stack of tickets from the games they attended, as the world eschews paper for the convenience and simplicity of digital ticketing. Gone is the feeling of renewal and hope that season ticket holders felt when they gazed upon a freshly delivered booklet of tickets, the pages to a story yet to be penned. Gone is the will-call rendezvous. Gone is the sketchy stadium-side transaction and the triumph of discovering the tickets are authentic after all.

Digital collectibles and apps scramble to fill the void, but they're creating a new category, not replacing what was rendered obsolete. It's difficult to contrive a replacement for a keepsake that was wholly organic and naturally supply-constrained. Cards are printed in arbitrary quantities, but the number of tickets corresponds with the number of seats in the arena. Only so many were actually in the building on the night of the incredible play, or the comeback win, or the milestone achievement, and only so many were retained as years passed. There was a real connection to the event in question, and the quantity of those connections was ever dwindling.

‍Like many other categories, ticket stubs exploded in popularity among collectors in 2021 and 2022 for the above reasons. Perhaps prices escalated too quickly.  8 of the top 10 sales of all time took place in 2021. And then 2022 followed that up by delivering 5 new entries to the top 10 in just the first two months of the year. The record holder from 2018 until 2021 was a single-day ticket to the inaugural Masters, then called the Augusta National Invitational. It sold for $116,075 in April of 2018. That record was lifted to $175,000 in October of 2021. By December, it was $270,600. By February, it was $468,000. A month later, the current record was set via a private sale brokered by Golden Age. It was a ticket to the same inaugural Masters, autographed by 17 participants, and it sold for $600,000.

As swiftly as prices went up, they returned to earth as the boom faded and speculators returned to other areas of interest. Stubs for Mickey Mantle's debut, once sold for as much as $142,000, now more commonly sell for mid-five-figure sums.  Other pockets of the market have been plagued by concerns of fraud. Lionel Messi's debut ticket, which neared $50,000 at its peak, fell to low four-figure levels, while Pele World Cup debut stubs met a similar fate.

The market has no doubt cooled, but it remains active. Heritage sold over $800,000 in tickets last quarter, including a $300,000 result for a Jackie Robinson debut stub. Now, when moments of significance happen in modern sports, collectors search for any way they can get their hands on an elusive paper ticket, or when those efforts prove fruitless, they long for the bygone era of stubs.

Professional sports franchises have noticed.

‍Postseason MLB contenders, the Rangers and Phillies, have taken to selling commemorative tickets as souvenirs. They're printed with the game and seat number of your choosing for $15 to $25. It's not bad. It's like the Topps Now of tickets. And if you were in the building, it's a cool way to remember it. A nice stocking stuffer. But you didn't have to be in the building to secure one, and that makes it a category all its own. It's not a ticket stub. It's a tchotchke.

The Chicago Blackhawks are getting warmer. They recently announced a program allowing only fans who scanned into the game the opportunity to purchase a commemorative, physical ticket (including their unique seat details) for $10. Yes, that's $10 more on top of the digital ticket you already paid for to cover printing and shipping. Ah, so the ticket was not in the building for the moment. They've got the natural supply constraint part in place, but it comes up short of forging a tidy connection to the event itself - more tchotchke than ticket.

The tickets that are most collectable and valuable were never initially purchased as collectibles at all. That's what made them special. Their seemingly irreversible extinction could further strengthen their nostalgic appeal, as in other obsolete artifacts like vinyl and maybe one day VHS (we'll see, Pete Davidson). But that appeal can't be replicated and mass-produced.

It's just a relief to see Ford's Theater hasn't taken to selling commemorative tickets after last month's $262,500 sale of front-row tickets from April 14th, 1965.

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Disclaimer: You understand that by reading Altan Insights, you are not receiving financial advice. No content published here constitutes a recommendation that any particular security, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. You further understand that the author(s) are not advising you personally concerning the nature, potential, value or suitability of any particular security, transaction, or investment strategy. You alone are solely responsible for determining whether an investment, security or strategy, or any other product or service, is appropriate or suitable for you based on your investment objectives and personal financial situation. Please speak with a financial advisor to understand if the risks inherent in trading are appropriate for you. Trade at your own risk.

Bottle of 1926 Macallan Whisky May Fetch £1.2m

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The News: A rare bottle of 1926 Macallan whisky, potentially the world's most expensive, is set to be auctioned at Sotheby’s in London with an estimate of £1.2 million (~$1,450,000). Only 40 bottles of this unique Adami 1926 variant were ever produced, elevating its already legendary status among collectors.

‍Why: This specific bottle, aged in sherry casks for six decades before being bottled in 1986, is renowned not only for its rarity but also for being the first of its kind to be reconditioned by the Macallan distillery. This process involved the replacement of its capsule and cork, as well as a 1ml liquid sample for authenticity testing against another 1926 bottle in Glasgow. 

‍What's Next: Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s global head of spirits, remarks, "This must surely be the most desirable bottle of whisky ever to come to the market." However, despite its exorbitant value and rich history, the chances of the buyer actually tasting the spirit are slim. Of the original 40 bottles, only one has ever been confirmed to be opened and consumed. GUARDIAN

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Phillips 20th Century & Contemporary London Sale Falls Flat

The Highlights: Phillips’s 20th Century and Contemporary Sale in London garners a lukewarm $22.4 million with 40 lots sold. A majority of the top ten art pieces sold under the anticipated price or were not sold at all.

‍Key Takeaways: The top lot results revealed concerning trends. Two of the most awaited pieces were withdrawn due to insufficient presale interest. Meanwhile, the leading sales, including a Banksy mural and a Luc Tuymans piece, barely met or were below their estimates. Several artworks, previously bought at higher prices, were sold at a loss, hinting at a declining market value.

‍Market Trends: While some lots, such as Mohammed Sami's Childhood and Stefanie Heinze's Median (Fin Fotole), experienced intense bidding and doubled their estimates, others like Damien Hirst's works underperformed. The fluctuating bidding patterns suggest a market filled with unpredictability. ARTNET

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Collectible Happenings

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A long-lost 20-inch model of the X-wing starfighter from 1977's Star Wars sold for a record $3.135 million at a Heritage Auction in Dallas. The screen-used prop, once part of Oscar-nominated modelmaker Greg Jein's collection, was recently discovered in Jein's garage after being missing for decades. THR

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A Mark Rothko painting titled "Olive over Red (1956)" is set to be offered for $40 million at Paris+ par Art Basel by Pace gallery, coinciding with a major Rothko retrospective at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris. The artwork, once owned by financier Thomas H. Lee who purchased it for $1.9 million in 1995, hasn't been publicly displayed since 1971 and will test the art market amid current geopolitical volatility. ARTNET

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A collection of 3,300 T206 cards will go up for sale at Heritage in 2024. The collection has been passed down for three generations and includes 10,000+ period cards. TWITTER

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Templum, Inc. has launched Templum One, a first-of-its-kind ecosystem for private markets and alternative assets, streamlining investments in alternatives to be as straightforward as buying public stocks. The platform connects issuers, investors, and other market participants, offering a unified solution for alternative investment opportunities ranging from private equity and real estate to art and collectibles. TEMPLUM

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Ryan Hoge, president of PSA, tweeted out some numbers regarding how closely each PSA office matches eachothers grading output. TWEET

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Collectibles investment company, Rally Road, recently announced their purchase of Mickey Mantle’s childhood home in Commerce, Oklahoma. ESPN writers Sara Coello and Dan Hajducky dive into Rally’s plans and what to expect out of this endeavor. ESPN

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The Blackhawks have begun offering fans the chance to purchase commemorative physical tickets along with the digital ticket they use to get into the stadium. TWITTER

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Feel free to reach out to Keenan@Altaninsights.com for any questions/comments.

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Enjoyed this article? Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter to receive more like it in your inbox weekly!‍

Disclaimer: You understand that by reading Altan Insights, you are not receiving financial advice. No content published here constitutes a recommendation that any particular security, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. You further understand that the author(s) are not advising you personally concerning the nature, potential, value or suitability of any particular security, transaction, or investment strategy. You alone are solely responsible for determining whether an investment, security or strategy, or any other product or service, is appropriate or suitable for you based on your investment objectives and personal financial situation. Please speak with a financial advisor to understand if the risks inherent in trading are appropriate for you. Trade at your own risk.