I loved the “King of Collectibles” docuseries from Netflix.
Imagine if “Antiques Roadshow” met “Hard Knocks” and then had a baby with a history textbook.
That’s “King of Collectibles.”
Each episode, from unearthing a rookie Jordan card to selling a Steph Curry for six figures, plays out like a mini-drama.
It’s the ultimate sports fan fantasy league, except the points are dollars.
And the players are all-time legends like Jim Morrison, Jackie Robinson, and, yes, the Manning brothers.
We ride shotgun with Ken Goldin, the fast-talking ringmaster of the multi-million dollar collectibles circus.
I binge-watched the entire Season One in 6 nights (one episode per night).
Trailer for “King of Collectibles”
Watch “King of Colelctibles”
You can stream it on Netflix here: https://www.netflix.com/title/81505384
Ratings:
- My Rating: 95/100
- IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 91/100 (Users)
My Review of King of Collectibles (Season 1)
Below is a summary of the 6 episodes from Season 1 (release date: April 28, 2023).
I loved all the episodes but S1 E5 was probably my favorite (Ken’s hangout with Peyton in which he educates the football star on the collectibles market was fun and).
I do wish they had dug more into the behind-the-scenes business of Goldin Auctions.
My understanding on Goldin’s business model is they collect a buyer’s premium of twenty-two percent (22%) of the hammer price (e.g. the winning bid at auction (when the “hammer” falls)). That’s payable by the buyer as part of the total purchase price for the benefit of Goldin Auctions.
The sale price, often referred to as the final price, includes the hammer price plus any additional fees such as the buyer’s premium, taxes, and possibly other charges like shipping or handling, depending on the auction house’s policies.
The buyer’s premium is a percentage added on top of the hammer price. That is paid by the buyer to the auction house as part of the total purchase price.
I think that’s how it works. Anyway, hopefully they cover that in a future episode.
Here’s a summary of the episodes:
Season 1, E1 · Hail to the King
The episode begins with an intro to Ken Goldin and his auction house.
Then there’s the intense setup for the Jackie Robinson auction at Goldin Auctions HQ in New Jersey.
It focuses on a rare baseball jersey worn by Robinson in 1951 with a steep reserve price of $10 million.
Another highlight is the T206 Honus Wagner card expected to sell for over $1 million.
This episode also features Ken and Dave dealing with a tense auction.
And there’s Drake’s significant find during a live “box break,” where he uncovers an unopened pack including a rookie Michael Jordan card.
The appraisal of Beanie Babies brings a nostalgic element, reminding viewers of past collecting crazes.
S1 E2 · Number One or Bust
Ryan discovers a 1976 Apple computer in a collector’s basement, part of a vast collection of Apple products, highlighting a significant piece of tech history.
The episode also involves the sale of an iconic El Clásico soccer jersey, adding a sports historical touch.
Additionally, high-value transactions occur, including the sale of a Steph Curry rookie card for $180,000 and a LeBron James Triple Man Logo card fetches $2.4 million after intense interest from collectors.
Goldin also visits a collector with an extensive Muhammad Ali collection. The collector reveals his plan to corner the market on Ali memorabilia. Goldin acquires a rare Ali fight-worn robe.
S1 E3 · The Goldin Ticket
Myesha’s first music consignment features personal items from rock legends Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison, emphasizing the diversification of the auction house into music memorabilia.
Her achievement is highlighted along with a pivotal announcement, enriching the narrative of expanding beyond sports collectibles.
A consignor brings in a collection of Negro League artifacts discovered in a Harlem attic. Goldin and team work to authenticate and appraise the items. There’s an emotional story behind the consignor’s connection to the collection
S1 E4 · Puerto Richo
Ken strives to connect with a high-profile collector to secure a significant deal.
The buyer sets his sights on a Michael Jordan game-worn jersey. An intense bidding war breaks out.
This episode also features a WWE legend who brings a sequined robe and teases the importance of a set of Pokémon cards that might have historical significance. There’s a Pokémon Trophy Set, showing the breadth of items the auction house deals with.
The episode caps off with the representation of the Declaration of Independence
S1 E5 · Dreams Do Come True
A heartwarming story unfolds as a teenager discovers a collectible that might change his family’s future, adding a personal and emotional layer to the show.
In a significant highlight, Ken Goldin visits a Denver store where Peyton Manning appears to discuss the value of one of his jerseys.
This interaction is part of a broader discussion about the worth of sports memorabilia, including a comparison between the Super Bowl-winning jerseys of Peyton and his brother Eli Manning.
Additionally, Ken educates Peyton about collecting, featuring other celebrity memorabilia such as Britney Spears’ top, Mike Tyson’s shorts, and rookie F1 cards, which adds an educational dimension and showcases the diversity of collectibles discussed.
S1 E6 · The Goldin Offer
The season finale sees the Robbies negotiating with NBA star Karl Malone. They want his collection of basketball jerseys and shoes belonging to the 1992 Dream Team players.
This collection, which Malone has owned since 1992, includes game-worn jerseys and shoes from all twelve players of the team, fully authenticated and personalized to Karl Malone.
The collection is highlighted for its historical significance, representing “the most important team in the history of basketball,” as noted by Ken Goldin.
A surprising find in a modest attic reveals a collection that provides a thrilling end to the series. This episode also includes the private sale of a Lewis Hamilton F1 card for approximately $1 million.
And it’s got Logan Paul’s live box break of Pokémon cards, and the collection of Olympic Dream Team uniforms by Karl Malone’s wife.
They prepare for the biggest auction of the season, featuring the Muhammad Ali collection.
Another highlight is the record-breaking sale of a Mickey Mantle rookie card for $5.2 million
King of Collectibles (Season 2 in 2024)
On July 25, 2023, Ken Goldin announced on Instagram that Netflix renewed King of Collectibles for Season 2.
There’s no release date yet except that it will be in 2024.
Ken also hinted here in a funny post on TikTok that there will be many more seasons than just two.
Since it’s a Netflix Original, Netflix will keep renewing seasons as long as the episode quality is comparable to season 1.
I’ll update this section when I have a release date for Season 2.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc