If you collect 1990s basketball, you already know SPx changed the look and feel of cards. Upper Deck went all in on die-cuts, heavy foil, and holograms, and the result still feels futuristic. Sitting at the top of that mountain is the 1996 SPx Michael Jordan Record Breaker Autograph, card R1. It is one of the earliest pack-issued Jordan autos, it is numbered, and it comes wrapped in all the premium tech that made SPx such a moment.
What the card actually is
• Insert name: Record Breaker, card R1
• Autograph: on-card, typically a bold blue signature right across the holographic portrait
• Serial numbering: limited to 250 copies, hand-numbered on the card
• Authentication: Upper Deck Authenticated, with the UDA hologram/markings collectors look for
The design still hits. You get SPx’s signature die-cut shape, a lenticular-style hologram portrait, layered foil textures, and a clean area for the auto that makes the signature pop. It is unmistakably 1996 and still unlike anything on modern shelves.
Why it matters in Jordan’s autograph timeline
In the mid-90s, pack-pulled Jordan autographs were almost mythical. Upper Deck had the license and the relationship with UDA, so when this card landed, it instantly separated itself from the avalanche of inserts that defined the era. It is numbered, it is hard-signed, and it ties directly to the Bulls’ record-shattering 1995–96 campaign, which is what the “Record Breaker” theme celebrates. That combination is why the card gets mentioned in the same breath as other cornerstone MJ autos from the decade.
About the 1996–97 SPx set
SPx Basketball debuted as a premium experiment and became a brand template. Packs focused on one showcase card with maximum visual impact. The base checklist mixed stars and rookies on die-cut, holographic cards, then layered in a small number of inserts, parallels, and, in very rare cases, autographs. The Record Breaker Jordan is the crown of that first basketball SPx run.
Real-world sales to frame the market
You shared a couple of 2025 results for PSA 6 copies and one for a PSA 8. They paint a clear picture of how grade moves the needle.
• PSA 6: $6,650 on July 2, 2025 (11 bids)
• PSA 6: $6,244 on July 8, 2025 (7 bids)
• PSA 8: $15,999.99 on August 23, 2025 (Buy It Now)
Those comps line up with what seasoned buyers expect: this card scales hard with condition because the stock is fragile and the design shows everything.
Condition is the battle
This release is notorious for grading challenges.
• Chipping and edge wear around the die-cut contours
• Micro-scratches or print lines in the hologram and foil field
• Corner touches from the thick, slick stock
• Signature quality, since the pen sits on foil and lenticular layers
A truly crisp copy with a strong autograph jumps tiers. Many collectors prioritize auto presentation first, then settle on the best overall grade they can afford.
Authentication checklist before you buy
Because there is also a non-autographed Record Breaker, forged signatures on base cards exist. Here is how to protect yourself.
• Look for proper Upper Deck Authenticated markings for this era
• Confirm the hand-numbered serial out of 250 and make sure the style and placement are right
• Study the ink flow on the signature. Authentic examples show confident, uninterrupted strokes, not starts and stops or pooling from a slow hand
• Inspect the hologram and foil under bright light. Recolored edges or surface tampering are easier to spot that way
Why collectors chase it
It checks every box that matters in the 90s lane: a top-tier player, an on-card auto, true serial numbering, and a set identity that still feels premium. It is also tied to a season everyone remembers. That story power means the card reads immediately even to casual fans, which helps long-term demand.
How I’d approach it as a buyer today
• Decide if you are “auto first” or “grade first.” For many, a bold, centered signature beats a marginal grade bump.
• Use the PSA 6 results around $6,200–$6,650 and the PSA 8 at about $16,000 as anchors. If a copy sits between those grades, price expectations should sit between those numbers.
• Be patient. With only 250 made and many locked in collections, the right copy at the right price takes time.
• If you are building a focused MJ run, pair this with one clean SPx base and a Bulls 72–10 season insert for a tidy three-card display that tells the whole story.
Quick snapshot for your notes
• Year/brand: 1996 SPx Basketball
• Card: Record Breaker R1 Michael Jordan Autograph
• Print run: 250 copies, hand-numbered
• Auto type: on-card, Upper Deck Authenticated
• Known hurdles: die-cut chipping, hologram surface lines, autograph quality
• Recent comps you provided: PSA 6 around $6,200–$6,650, PSA 8 about $15,999.99
Three decades later, the 1996 SPx Record Breaker Autograph still feels like the hobby’s idea of a Jordan moment on cardboard. It is scarce, instantly recognizable, and anchored to the season that turned a dynasty into a myth.
