Michael Jordan Dual-Signed | 1985 Nike Air Jordan 1 ‘Bred’ Mid | Size 13 | Attributed Wear to Michael Jordan

Offered in this lot is a pair of 1985 Nike Air Jordan 1 sneakers in the Black and Red “Bred” colorway.

The pair is dual-signed by Michael Jordan and is accompanied by a letter from James Spence Authentication regarding the signatures. The sneakers are accompanied by a letter of provenance from the consignor. It states:

I purchased this pair of shoes at a charity auction in the fall of 1985 to benefit the Parry Center for Children in Portland, Oregon. I was told they were donated by the wife of a high-ranking Nike executive. I have kept them securely stored in a safe ever since. Each shoe is signed by Michael Jordan and features “M.J." initials on the side of the sole.

This example presents a unique variation, featuring a mid-cut profile and the absence of the “TYPS” (Tang Yong Player Sample) coding typically associated with mid-cut Air Jordan 1s. The interior coding reads “13 850102,” indicating production between January and February 1985.

The left shoe displays “M.J” handwritten on the lateral midsole. Sotheby’s cannot confirm the origin of this handwriting or identify who wrote it.

The sneakers exhibit signs of heavy wear, including creasing, scuff marks, and loss of traction on the outsole. Michael Jordan did not wear the Air Jordan 1 “Bred” in any NBA games; however, he famously wore the colorway during the 1985 NBA Dunk Contest and in media shoots.

The Nike 'Air Jordan' is one of the most iconic designs in the history of both streetwear and basketball, and is a key part of the origin of the Air Jordan brand for Nike. Designed by Peter Moore, Michael Jordan wore Air Jordan 1s in 1984 and 1985, as well as modified versions in 1986 (after a broken foot Michael endured). These specific shoes are the iconic ‘Chicago’ colorway, and perhaps the most recognizable for Michael, as well as the Nike brand.

In 1984, Nike gave Michael Jordan his own signature line of shoes and clothes, which was pivotal in Michael agreeing to sign with Nike. It was the first time the brand did anything like this, and it paved the way for many of the player collaborations we now see. The term “Air Jordan” was coined by Michael Jordan’s agent David Falk. David apparently came up with the name because Nike shoes had air in the soles and because, of course, Michael Jordan played basketball in the air.

In terms of the shoe itself, the original Air Jordan 1s were so popular and successful that Nike continued to make new signature Air Jordans each season. This tradition continued beyond Michael’s retirement, and Nike is currently on the Air Jordan 40. From the day it launched, Air Jordans have always represented the pinnacle of sneaker design. The shoes are unmatched when it comes to quality, craftsmanship, materials, innovation, performance, and, of course, style.