Whether you are Michael Jordan collector, Bulls fan, or
“Sneakerhead,” here’s something to salivate over: four (4) pairs of 1988
through 1993 game-used and dual-signed Air Jordan sneakers worn and
autographed by “His Airness” himself during his reign in Chicago. They
come directly from the personal collection of a longtime Hollywood agent
who attended many games at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, CA, and acquired a few, if not all, of these pairs straight from MJ after a Bulls-Lakers game. The only catch is that
all four pairs have deteriorating soles due to adverse
temperature/storage conditions, causing the delicate cushioning material
Nike used at that time in the midsoles to disintegrate. All should be
able to be professionally restored. Represented are the third, fourth, sixth and
eighth editions of Air Jordans in the iconic series, stretching from
MJ’s first MVP season of 1988 to the Bull's initial "Three-Peat" trump in
1993.
Air Jordan III. Released to the public in 1988, this
was the pair Mars Blackman (Spike Lee) referred to with his famous line
“It’s gotta be the shoes!” in Nike’s first Air Jordan commercial. It
was also the first Air Jordan creation from legendary designer Tinker
Hatfield, who replaced the wings logo on the tongues with the “Jumpman”
logo and added a never-before-seen air pocket in the midsole. The
full-grain leather uppers were another first, allowing MJ to break in
new pair right away and change shoes every game if he wanted. Michael
wore the AJ-III in various colorways. This offered pair is white with
red trim on the heels and a gray interior. He wore a slightly different
colorway (no red on heels) when he won the 1988 Slam Dunk Title with the
famous dunk from the free-throw line. They come in size 13 with their
original laces and insoles, and are properly tagged “880607 FT1” on the
interior. Game wear is evident. Almost the entire midsole cushioning has
disintegrated, but outsoles are still intact from front. Jordan has
signed both outer ankles in 9/10 blue ballpoint pen. Two LOA's from
PSA/DNA.
Air Jordan IV. Released to the public in 1989 and
again the work of Hatfield, this pair saw action during MJ’s outstanding
1988-89 season in which he won his third straight scoring title and hit
one of the most amazing clutch shots of his young career—the hanging, buzzer-beating jumper over Craig
Ehlo to beat the Cavs in the playoffs, better known as “The Shot.” Some
new features on the AJ-IV were the nubuck material on the uppers and
heels, plastic grids, and mesh to breathe easier. On the now-padded
tongues, “Flight” was stamped on the outside with “Air Jordan” on the
inside. This more traditional (albeit most popular) white colorway comes
in size 13 with its original laces and insoles, and is properly tagged
“890204 FT2” on the interior. Game wear is evident throughout. Most of
the midsole cushioning has disintegrated, but the outsoles are still
intact from front. Jordan has signed both outer ankles in 8-9/10 blue
ballpoint pen. Two LOA's from PSA/DNA.
Air Jordan VI. Released to the public in 1991 and
another Hatfield design, this pair hails from Jordan’s second MVP season
in which he led the Bulls to their first NBA championship and was named
Finals MVP. Some unique features on the AJ-VI were the clean toe caps,
rubber tongues with finger loops, lace locks, plastic heel tabs and
inner sock sleeves. Michael wore the AJ-VI in four colorways. This rarer
white leather version with black tongues and blue trim comes in size 13
with its original laces and insoles. Jerry Seinfeld wore a similar
AJ-VI colorway on episodes of Seinfeld. In addition, MJ may have worn
this off-Bulls colorway in the offseason for a charity or UNC
alumni/reunion game. (He played in a few Magic Johnson Midsummer’s Night
Charity games held at the Forum, according to the consignor). The shoes
are properly tagged “910406 T3” on the interior. Game wear is evident
throughout. Almost all midsole cushioning has disintegrated, but the
outsoles are still intact from front. Jordan has signed both outer back
lower ankles in 8/10 black ballpoint pen. Two LOA's from PSA/DNA.
Air Jordan VIII. Released to the public in 1993,
this pair saw action during another incredible 1992-93 campaign in which
Jordan won his 7th straight scoring title and led the Bulls to their
third straight NBA title. Unique features to the high-top cut included a
color splash (red, white, black, gray) on the outsole, lockdown straps
stamped with “23”, a thick inner-body sock and a carpet-like Jumpman
logo on the tongues. This white colorway comes in size
13 with its original laces and insoles, and is properly tagged “920911
FT2” on the interior. Game wear is evident throughout. Much of the
midsole cushioning has disintegrated, but the outsoles are still intact
from mid-front. Jordan has signed both toes in 9/10 black marker. Two
LOA's from PSA/DNA.
Lot includes 8 full LOAs from PSA/DNA, one for each shoe.
Provenance: This lot originates from a gentleman who
has enjoyed a long and successful career in Hollywood as an agent for
many well-known athletes and entertainers. His professional and personal
network enabled him to amass a significant collection of memorabilia,
nearly all of which was given to him directly from the athletes and
entertainers themselves. Each of these pairs is being introduced to the
marketplace for the first time. While our consignor remains
anonymous, SCP Auctions will issue an LOA for each pair attesting to its player-direct provenance.