As reported by various outlets, a Shelter location in Portland and Sotheby’s where a rare pair of Nike Air Jordan sneakers that were created for Spike Lee has hit a jackpot after the pair of shoed sold for more than $50k.
Spike Lee has a history with both basketball and the Jordan Brand. He first put his mark on the Air Jordan 3 in the earliest Jordan advertisements, such as “Spike and Mike.”
The special Jordan “Spiz’ike” was created in 2006 as a result of his relationship with Jordan.
One of the most prominent models is the Air Jordan 3 “Oscar,” was first worn by Spike Lee at the 2019 Academy Awards.
The gold-painted leather sneakers were found in a donation bin at the Portland Rescue Mission’s Burnside Shelter location in April of this year.
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The donor, however indicated the wish to remain completely anonymous.
Since the client still had to pay the common charges due to the home’s public sale, Sotheby’s honored the season by donating the entire hammer value to Learn the Mission.
In keeping with Sotheby’s, there is an over sized Jumpman insignia as well as embroidered logos for Lee’s production company, 40 Acres, and A Mule Filmworks on the sneaker’s heels. In addition, Tinker Hatfield, the sneakers’ designer, and Lee both have their signatures embroidered on them.
Although this particular pair never really fit Lee’s toes, only a small number of pairs are in use because the shoe was never really introduced to the public.
According to the mission’s website, the sneakers turned up in new settings after someone in the long-term shelter program rummaged through a donation bin. At last, the two approached Ed Holcomb, the system director, at his office. Recognizing them as the Spike Lee Oscar Nikes, Holcomb took them to a posh sneaker resale shop in downtown Portland, even though he was certain they were fake.
“The owner came back after taking another long look and offered to buy them from me immediately for $10,000 or to consign them in his store for a potentially larger return,” Holcomb wrote.
Following some research, Holcomb found {that} a comparable pair had brought almost $48,000 at auction at Sotheby’s in 2021.
After contacting Hatfield, Mission sent him an invitation to travel to Portland, where he confirmed the authenticity of the sneakers and gave the Mission “further design paraphernalia, together with a substitute field and a framed design proof, which he signed,” according to Sotheby’s.
“I’m happy the sneakers found their way to this location. It’s a happy conclusion to a very pleasant challenge,” he told the mission staff.