| Top collectible player photographs sold in 2003 | | • Michael Jordan | | • Derek Jeter | | • LeBron James | | • Allen Iverson | | • Kobe Bryant | | • Brett Favre | | • Mickey Mantle | | • Babe Ruth | | • Barry Bonds | | • Nomar Garciaparra | | | | Source: Photo File | |
Sales of collectible sports photographs reached an all-time high in 2003, according to Photo File Inc., the only licensed manufacturer of player photos for the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB. Exact sales figures were not available, but Chuck Singer, president of the Yonkers, N.Y.-based licensee, said wholesale prices of collectible sports photos last year were close to $20 million.
After posting annual increases each year since 1988, industry revenue peaked in 1998 when the Mark McGwire-Sammy Sosa home run race pushed collectible sports
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| Yankees legend Mickey Mantle ranked among the most popular athletes with photograph buyers. |
photo sales to approximately $15 million. Sales dropped dramatically until 2001, when Cal Ripken's final season helped re-ignite sales, Singer said.
In addition to having sole rights to the four major leagues, Photo File has licensing rights with the players associations from the NFL, NHL and MLB.
— David Broughton
