From May 2003, Upper Deck held the rights to LeBron James's autograph on cards and memorabilia, so the signed cards of his rookie season are Upper Deck's. This is one of them, made in 500 copies.
The 2003-04 SP Authentic set has 189 cards. Its unsigned rookies are numbered to 999, most of the signed rookies to 1,250, and the top tier, #148 to #153, to 500. LeBron is #148. He signed the card itself, not a sticker, and the back congratulates the owner on a card personally autographed by him.
His signature, on the card itself, in his rookie season.
Under the words ROOKIE AUTHENTICS, LeBron rises for a one-handed dunk in a wine-red Cavaliers jersey against bronze rays. The serial number runs up the left side, and his signature, in blue ink, crosses the lower half.
Scarcer parallels sit above it, numbered to 50 and to 25.
The design is close to that of the same year's Ultimate Collection. What sets this one apart is simple: his signature, in his rookie season, on the card.
