Remember the Nike Air Mag self-lacing sneakers introduced last year? Apparently, a pair was put on the block recently by Heritage Auctions in a sale called The Future is Now which saw this pair of high-tech sneakers closes at a whopping $52,500, setting the world record for a collectible sneaker at public auction. The recent 2016 Air Mags sale smashes the previous record by a good $20,000. The 2016 Nike Air Mag, designated Lot #77121, is listed as size 11 and comes in its original box with signed numbered plate, display and charging accessories, plus a Deadstock Plate signed by Tinker Hatfield, one of the Nike architect who made self-lacing shoe a reality.
The Future is Now sale held on June 11 saw 151 lots of rare pop culture and urban art objects, sneakers and “street art” being offered. It also marked the first time a major international auction house, i.e. Heritage Auctions, has offered collectible sneakers. Other highlights of the Sunday auctions include Futura 2000’s Untitled, a larger scale work with spray paint and acrylic on canvas which closed at a cool $35,000, two separate Damien Hirst hand-drawn skateboard decks (Dots 5 – Skull and Dots 5 – Little Shark) which sold for $12,500 each, and a silkscreen print on t-shirt Andy Warhol titled Self-portrait with Fright Wig, circa 1986 which was taken away for $12,500 (for a tee!).
Images: Heritage Auctions.