SOLE COLLECTOR: Sneakers

To go along with the retroing of the Air Jordan I and II in 1994, we also saw the return of the Air Jordan III. This is the same box used for the 1 and 2 Retro in 1994 which were all released to celebrate Michael Jordan’s tenth year in the NBA.

As the Air Jordan XV debuted in 1999 so did the long-lasting Jordan face box. It is an all black box with a grey top that features MJ’s face on it with lines going through it. This specific box was used for almost every single Air Jordan model over the next five years, and, at [...]

This was the box for the original Air Jordan III in 1988. It is a black box that features the elephant print design found on the Air Jordan III sneaker. The box top is black and features a red Jumpman on it as well as the Nike Air logo on the side.

Last but not least, the final colorway of the original Air Jordan III is the "true blue." This is a unique colorway as it is the first blue colorway to be released since there was not one for the original Air Jordan II. This colorway was later retroed in 2001 were it served as the last colorway to be retroed for the Air Jordan III model at the time.

After the first two colorways of the original Air Jordan III were not very bulls-like, the third colorway released lives up to the name. The "fire red" version was also the last original Air Jordan III colorway to be retroed. Some say saving the best for last after we got teased a few years before it was actually retroed when Derek Anderson appeared with a player exclusive "fire red" Air Jordan retro III of his own. But nonetheless nothing beats an original.

The Air Jordan III originally debuts in 1988. It is also the first Air Jordan model to not have the ill-fated Air Jordan "wings" logo. But it is also the first shoe to debut the new and now famous worldwide "jumpman" logo. These also contain a cement print on them which was very unique for its time. Another very popular sneaker among some of the all time greatest Air Jordans ever.

Another new year another new Air Jordan. The Air Jordan III debuts in 1988 behind the strong ad campaign where Nike teamed up with famed director Spike Lee and created "Mars Blackmon." This was only the beginning of a very long relationship that continues to this very day. Do you know, do you know, do you know???

Along with the retro of the Air Jordan I and II, we also get the III in 1994. One of two colorways to be retroed with both being original. These come in the commemorative box as well along with the retro card. They also took a $5 retail increase from when they originally came out and were $105.

Once again the Air Jordan III makes a return to the retro scene, this time in 2001. This was the last Air Jordan III to be retroed with the original Nike logo on the back as the rest of the colorways were replaced with the Jordan Jumpman logo.

You can't have the "Pure $" without the "Black Cat." To finish off the theme, it was the last colorway for the Air Jordan III Retro for 2007. Just like the "Pure $" Air Jordan Retro III, if you flip down the rubber flap in the back you'll see the words "Black Cat" stitched.

In 2003 we get a very special treat. This original colorway of the Air Jordan III was limited to urban accounts as well as select chainstores. Very true to the original, just bearing the Jumpman logo on the back this time around.

For the second year in the row Jordan Brand continues their "Pure $" theme by retroing the Air Jordan III in this specific colorway. This time around it was released separate from its "Black Cat" counterpart. If you flip the rubber flap in the back down the "Pure $" insignia is stitched in silver.