2001-02 Upper Deck Michael Jordan Buybacks Auto 1/10 #A1 (97-98 Upper Deck #18) BGS 9.5 Auto 9

An extraordinary Michael Jordan autograph and one of the most compelling concepts from Upper Deck's long association with the basketball icon. This 2001-02 Upper Deck Michael Jordan Buybacks Autograph began life as a 1997-98 Upper Deck #18 Michael Jordan card before being specially sourced by Upper Deck, personally autographed by Jordan, hand numbered 01/10 and reissued as part of the company's extremely limited 2001-02 Michael Jordan Buybacks program.<br><br>Rather than creating an entirely new card for the promotion, Upper Deck reached into Jordan's earlier card history, using cards from previous Upper Deck releases and transforming them into exceptionally limited signed examples. Each was autographed by Jordan, individually hand numbered and authenticated by Upper Deck before being offered through the 2001-02 program. This example is particularly desirable as the first of just ten produced, carrying the handwritten 01/10 serial number on the bottom right corner of the card front. <br><br>The underlying 1997-98 Upper Deck #18 is itself an outstanding choice for the Buybacks program, capturing one of the defining moments of Jordan's legendary career. The card depicts Jordan celebrating his game-winning shot against the Utah Jazz in Game 1 of the 1997 NBA Finals, a series in which he averaged 32 points and led Chicago to its fifth NBA championship. One year later, Jordan and the Bulls would defeat Utah again to complete their second three-peat and secure Jordan's sixth championship and sixth NBA Finals MVP award. <br><br>Making this offering even more special is the accompanying original 2001-02 Upper Deck Autographed MJ Buy Back redemption card. The redemption explains the program itself, stating that the recipient had received a special Upper Deck trading card personally autographed by Michael Jordan. Upper Deck further states that the original card was purchased unsigned from a third party in 2001, subsequently autographed by Jordan, and returned to Upper Deck for release in 2001-02 Upper Deck Basketball. The redemption also bears the matching Upper Deck authentication hologram number AAA09722, providing exceptional provenance and an important surviving companion to the autographed card. <br><br>The Jordan has been graded Gem Mint 9.5 by BGS, with impressive subgrades of 9.5 Centering, 9.5 Edges, 9 Corners and 9.5 Surface. Jordan's signature has additionally been graded 9 by Beckett. Combining an original 1997-98 Upper Deck Jordan card, a bold, authenticated Michael Jordan autograph, first-of-ten 01/10 hand numbering, Gem Mint BGS 9.5 condition and its original Upper Deck redemption, this is a tremendous Michael Jordan rarity with outstanding provenance. More than simply an autographed Jordan card, it represents a fascinating intersection of an original Upper Deck release, Jordan's championship-era career and one of Upper Deck's most distinctive limited autograph programs.