A pair of old Nike sneakers, the so-called "Waffle Shoe" or "Moon Shoe," was sold at Sotheby's for a fantastic $475,500.
The 1972 model is almost a mythical part of the history of the famous company. If the official legend is to be believed, when creating the Moon Shoe prototype, Nike co-founder Bill Bauerman used his wife's waffle iron to give the sneaker's sole a distinctive pattern. It was intended to help runners improve their performance while also reducing wear and tear on the sole. The shoes were designed specifically for the 1972 Munich Olympics, and a total of 12 pairs were produced. It is not surprising that this model eventually became such a rarity. But it is believed that the Moon Shoe was one of the reasons for the company's dizzying success.
The sneakers were purchased by Canadian businessman Miles Nadal and were part of a collection of the 100 rarest sneakers ever made, which were sold at Sotheby's and Stadium Goods. Before that, Nadal had already purchased the other 99 pairs, paying $850,000 for them last week, even before the auction began. At that time, he also wanted to buy at once. Nike sneakersAs part of the collection. But the organizers of the auction refused him, understanding that such rarities are more profitable to sell separately. It was expected that for them it would be possible to get $110 000 to $160 000. The reality turned out to be much more impressive.
Nadal plans to exhibit the sneakers in his private museum. There is already a collection of rare car models. Interestingly, the businessman himself has never collected sneakers before and even rarely wears them, preferring a strict business style of dress. He simply loves collecting rare things, whether it's cars, watches, art, books or antiques.
Previously, the most expensive sneakers ever sold at Sotheby's auction was A pair of ConverseThe two are the same as the ones Michael Jordan wore in 1984 when he managed to win the gold medal during the game against Spain. They sold in 2017 for $190,000.
