Air Jordan Book by Assouline Celebrates 40 Years of the Jumpman
Jordan Brand and Assouline Publishing are releasing a book that chronicles four decades of Air Jordan history. The book launches... The post Air Jordan Book by Assouline Celebrates 40 Years of the Jumpman appeared first on .
Jordan Brand and Assouline Publishing are releasing a book that chronicles four decades of Air Jordan history. The book launches in October 2025, marking 40 years since the first Air Jordan sneaker hit stores in 1985. Author Adam Bradley wrote the text, and Michael Jordan added his own contribution.
The book is divided into six chapters, with each section representing one of Michael Jordan’s NBA championship rings. This structure walks through different eras of both Jordan’s career and the evolution of the sneaker line itself. The first Air Jordan released while Jordan was still establishing himself as a player. By the time the Air Jordan 11 came out in 1995, he’d already won three championships and retired once. The six-chapter format connects the shoes to what was happening on the court during each release period.
Assouline is releasing the book in two formats. The Classic Edition costs $123 and features a never-before-published Annie Leibovitz photograph of Jordan on the cover. Leibovitz shot Jordan in the Jumpman pose, the same stance that became the brand’s logo. This specific image hasn’t been seen publicly until now, despite Leibovitz photographing Jordan multiple times throughout his career.
The Ultimate Edition is priced at $2,300 and limited to 1,000 numbered copies. Each copy comes in a black clamshell case with Baroque-style decoration. The ornate design on the case references the laser-etched graphics that appeared on the Air Jordan 20 in 2005. That shoe was the first Jordan model to use laser etching technology, a process that burns patterns directly into leather without adding extra materials or weight. Before laser etching became common in sneaker manufacturing, decorative details required layering different materials or stitching, which added bulk to shoes.
Release Date, Availability, and Price
Both editions are available exclusively through Assouline’s website and their physical boutiques. The Classic Edition at $123 is accessible for most fans who want a definitive Jordan Brand history book. The Ultimate Edition at $2,300 with only 1,000 copies will likely sell out quickly to serious collectors.
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