Masters' viral sensation: Free eclipse glasses sold on eBay

As eclipse fever swept the nation, free glasses from the Masters became a hot item

Cover Image for Masters' viral sensation: Free eclipse glasses sold on eBay
Featuring the Masters logo and only available to patrons at Augusta National, the eclipse glasses became a hot item Monday. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Each year, the Masters merchandise tent features a new item that goes viral.

Those items usually costs a pretty penny. Not this year.

This year’s sensation didn’t even cost a penny.

What is it?

How about solar eclipse glasses that were handed out to patrons entering Augusta National’s practice round Monday, a perfectly timed item as eclipse fever gripped much of the nation.

The glasses, which allow the user to look directly at the sun during an eclipse without experiencing eye damage, feature Masters flags in yellow and green and are made by a company called DayStarFilters.

The glasses feature the date of the eclipse and the label “Created Exclusively for the Masters Tournament” on the inside flaps.
The glasses feature the date of the eclipse and the label “Created Exclusively for the Masters Tournament” on the inside flaps.

The thin, cardboard glasses started hitting eBay on Monday afternoon. Through 10 p.m. ET, 26 pair had been sold at an average sale price of $43.65.

The first to hit the site commanded a higher price, but as more appeared for sale, those that were unused, or unfolded, commanded a better premium.

Darren Rovell is the founder of cllct.com and one of the country's leading reporters on the collectible market. He previously worked for ESPN, CNBC and The Action Network.