This September, Sotheby’s and Fanatics will revolutionize the trading card industry with their inaugural Holy Grails auction. This groundbreaking event will showcase a curated selection of over 40 of the rarest and most coveted trading cards of the 20th and 21st centuries, honoring legendary athletes such as Tom Brady, LeBron James, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente and many more.
The Holy Grails auction concept pays tribute to the collecting community’s deep admiration for these rare and elusive treasures. Collectors often spend years searching for these valuable pieces. In response, Sotheby’s and Fanatics are now bringing together the most extraordinary and sought-after pieces – the ultimate “Holy Grails” of the collecting world.
In that spirit, the exhibition and auction will be held at Harlem Parish, a magnificent former church on West 118th Street in New York City – a fitting setting for these devotional objects. Sotheby’s and Fanatics will bring the space to life with a comprehensive exhibition and auction, creating a high-energy atmosphere reminiscent of stadium entertainment at its finest and most luxurious. The exhibition will be open to the public from September 23-24, with the live auction taking place on September 24.
“Holy Grails” is just the latest example of Sotheby’s investment in immersive experiences that are redefining the traditional auction landscape. Earlier this year, the watch collecting community was captivated by “Rough Diamonds,” an auction concept that presented a carefully curated selection of avant-garde watches. The sale took place in an underground wine cellar, with a bespoke public display that took full advantage of the unexpected location. Similarly, Sotheby’s and Fanatics’ presentation of “Holy Grails” aims to disrupt the status quo in the trading card industry.
“From the beginning, our goal was to create a comprehensive auction experience the trading card industry has never seen before,” said Brahm Wachter, head of modern collectibles at Sotheby’s. “By choosing the iconic Harlem Parish as the venue and through bold visual scenography and object presentations, we are reimagining what the trading card industry means to collectors and enthusiasts. With this innovative approach, we are not only shaking up the industry, but also bringing cards into today’s modern world in a way that is truly unprecedented.”
“We are excited to help build an auction unlike anything the hobby industry has ever seen before: from the creative physical design to the incredible cards in the lot to the fans and collectors in attendance,” said Chris Lamontagne, President of Fanatics Collect and Fanatics Live.
