Rich Memories Make Memorabilia Expensive

The items expected to be of greatest value will be newspapers and magazine covers, specificallySports Illustratedissues from 1983 and 1984.

"The first customer that comes in to buy the magazine now will be the lucky one," says Ed Kan, owner of American Nostalgia & Collectibles.

The magazine is Sports Illustrated, from November 1983. It marks the first time Jordan appeared on the cover of SI. Kan's last copy sells for $100.

The December 10, 1984 issue of SI, where Jordan appears in a Chicago Bulls uniform for the first time, is selling for $50.

The South Hills Mall store owner says anything related to Jordan has always commanded a top dollar.

Mitch Neuberger agrees. Neuberger, of Sports Cards Plus, expects to see an increase in people buying what's left.

Greg Allen just paid $75 for an autographed golf ball. "It's worth that to me solely because when I was a kid I got his autograph on a piece of paper and to this day I can't find it," Allen explains.

Neuberger says Jordan's popularity transcends time. "He was always popular. During this lockout, as much bad stuff as you heard about it, nobody ever bad-mouthed this guy," Neuberger says. "And that's why that gentleman that just paid for this golfball, he'll always remain an idol to that guy."

And to many of us. Reporter: Barbara Cain