UPDATE:  THIS CARD IS QUICKLY BECOMING THE "GHOST CARD" THAT I COINED IT TO BE WEEKS AGO.  IT IS VANISHING INEXPLICIBLY FROM THE MARKET.  BECKETT DOESN'T UNDERSTAND IT AND OTHERS ARE "OUT OF STOCK". 

SEE MY NEWLY UPLOADED PHOTOS. 

I MAY VERY WELL BE IN POSSESSION OF THE LAST AVAILABLE UPPER DECK GHOST CARD.

IS THIS THE CARD OF THE CENTURY?

Make no mistake about it!  These are definitely ERROR CARDS and they are disappearing quickly.  I see but one other on eBay anymore... soon to be none?

He calls out in his description that LeBron "played in the game", when in fact it is verifiable and documented THAT HE DID NOT.  That card can be had for $1200 and maybe less.  It could very well be the last GHOST CARD not being hoarded... besides mine.  I think sellers caught on quickly and scooped up all the low priced cards available.  As I understand collecting, the time is coming where you won't see this card anywhere for under $20k.  Go ahead, mark my words and watch.  In the meantime these 5000 cards seem to be going into hiding.

Upper Deck

LeBron James Rookie

WCG 10 Gem Mint.

The 2004 All Star Game

*** ERROR CARD ***

*** Edition Limited to 5000 ***

*** VERY RARE ***

*** Each card numbered ***

*** This one:  4613/5000 ***

Misprint?  No.  Typo?  No.  Ink issue?  No.

How then is this an ERROR CARD? 

The rookie sensation pictured as a 2004 All Star on this Game Card, and detailed on its back, was beside himself when he learned that he would NOT suit up or play in the game.   When LeBron James, despite his remarkable talent, was denied participation on the All Star team he was livid!  But neither his unprecedented NBA start nor his valid protest would be enough to highlight his Rookie Year with the honor of being chosen an All Star. 

The only year in his fabulous 21 year career that he did not make the team!  The year that ruined a perfect record.

It was obvious to some that the Rookie belonged in the game.  NEVERTHELESS IT WAS PRESUMPTUOUS TO CREATE the LeBron James 2004 Rookie All Star Game Card on a whim.  And an ERROR to publish and distribute the card before the game was ever played.  Based on the big day that never happened, it proved to be a major blunder!  ...except to those possessing the card, of course.

Hey, basketball is fun.  LeBron James is incredible and Upper Deck is prestigious.  But c'mon, there is no other way to classify this card than as a fat blunder.  A mistake.   But the card was published.  And it  survived. It is limited.  It will be the highlight of whichever collection it ends up being part of, and possibly the most valued over time.  At least while it can still be obtained.  When its gone it will be gone.

That's why I'm coining it "The Ghost Card".  Maybe LeBron was there in spirit, but his body was definitely absent from this All Star game!  Yet, he is pictured front and center as a 2004 All Star!  It would have been his first.  And as a rookie, no less!  Statistically maybe so, but the card is still a Technical Foul.  An ERROR!  A Ghost.

Error collectables commonly transcend into the five or even six figure price categories over time.  Next go round this error card could easily demand $20k+!  Those with foresight are the ones the rest of us end up envying.