It's a TV show opening scene that seems simple enough, but it spawned a lot of Internet and TV chatter with millions (and millions) amused.

(Click for a closer view.)

Hot takes arrived left and right on entertainment sites and political pundits had their thoughts, too. (Left and right, I'm sure.) It was something simple and something planned that generated some buzz and even some high-profile tweets that went out to some 20 million people. (Meanwhile, the episode itself had just 588,000 people watching per Nielsen. Go figure.)

What is it? It's the opening-credits scene for the fifth season of Ballers and it had player-turned-agent-turned-businessman Spencer Strasmore (aka Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) reading a copy of Elizabeth Warren's 2017 book This Fight is Our Fight as he sat on the beach in the first episode. It all takes place quickly and Strasmore's down-time is interrupted first by his girlfriend (Arielle Kebbel) asking him why he never goes into the ocean -- then that's interrupted by a phone call from Bossman (aka the Ballers-world owner of the Dallas Cowboys) before he walks off down the shoreline to chat. The scene isn't about a paperback with tattered edges at all, really -- it's about the mystery of the water, what Strasmore might be hiding -- but that's how the book's brief on-screen life comes to an end.

Meanwhile, that actual copy of the book? Well, it's still alive and well.

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It's a simple mistake that's not supposed to happen since the United States Mint has strict standards, but, well, it happened.

And it's a bill that's worth a lot more than you might think as it sold for a ton Friday night via Heritage Auctions in Dallas.

What you see above is the Del Monte note -- and while you might think that collecting during the pandemic has been crazy this sale is absolutely bananas ... it sold for $396,000. That's way more than it originally sold for back when it was previously discovered and put onto the market.

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BlowoutCards.com has caught another legendary Pokémon card at auction.

Tonight, when the dust settled over at Heritage Auctions, one of only two Pokémon Blastoise #009/165R Commissioned Presentation Galaxy Star Hologram cards made by Wizards of the Coast in 1998 sold for $360,000. It's graded a CGC NM/Mint+ 8.5 and "the present day existence of the other is questionable" as it may not even exist now according to the auction house. Just two of these blank-backed cards were made to present the concept of an English-market release to Nintendo executives all those years ago.

"Pokémon is the largest media franchise and this is one of the rarest collectibles," said Blowout's Thomas Fish after the sale. "I had to catch this one."

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The Bucks bucks stop here ... or are they just getting started?

Giannis Antetokounmpo's 2013-14 Panini Prizm 1/1 Black Mosaic Rookie Card parallel topped the million-dollar mark on the auction block this weekend via Goldin Auctions.

It sold for $1,168,500 after 25 bids and it wasn't the only notable NBA card sold by the auction house. In fact, there were more than a dozen six-figure sales for notable basketball, baseball, football, soccer and gaming cards in this single auction event that included more than $14 million in sales.

"The number of records set in our Holiday Auctions is incredible," said founder Ken Goldin in a prepared release. “It clearly demonstrates a combination between the power of our marketing with the increased demand for cards and memorabilia. The future of the Hobby in general and Goldin Auctions looks very bright.”

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Blowout Cards may not catch 'em all ... but we're trying.

This Pokémon 1st Edition booster box sold for $360,000 via Heritage Auctions on Thursday night -- a mark that includes the buyer's premium and set a new record sale. That topped a $198,000 mark (also via Heritage) in September.

Our 36-pack box includes 396 untouched cards that could carry potential for perfect Gem Mint 10 copies of everything, including the rare Charizard card that has generated headlines on its own with some six-figure sales on its own in advance of the 25th anniversary of the game's arrival in the United States next February.

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An auction of props and wardrobe pieces from HBO's hit show Ballers is entering its final week via Heritage Auctions and there are a number of interesting items that will end up in collectors' hands on Sunday.

A number of items were used by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as well as other cast members from the series that ran five seasons. Auction proceeds will benefit the Know Your Rights Camp. So far, a number of the items are dirt-cheap but action should pick up by the time things are over -- nearly 500 different items up for grabs.

Keep reading for a quick look at a few of the pieces on the auction block.

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It's the holy grail of gaming ... and it's up for grabs.

BlowoutCards.com is the owner of a PSA 10 grade Pokémon 1st Edition set that previously generated headlines from around the world -- not just the collecting world -- when it previously sold for six figures little over a year ago. Now, it's back on the market with the biggest cards in the mix ... all in PSA's top grade.

The full set of 102 cards, which can be seen in a gallery below, is presently listed on eBay. It has a Buy-It-Now price of $1,000,000.01 -- and serious offers are also being fielded as it's on the market in advance of the 25th anniversary of the game's arrival in the United States next February.

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A copy of the hobby's biggest cards set a new seven-figure auction record this weekend via Goldin Auctions, but it was far from the only notable sale in its two-session October Legends event that included some remarkable modern card sales that fetched six-figures and a collection from Cal Ripken Jr. that topped the million-dollar mark on its own.

AN EXQUISITE PIECE
The Item: Michael Jordan & Scottie Pippen 2005-06 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Logoman Autographed Patches #DLA-JP (1/1)
The Price: Sold for $295,200 after 11 bids
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: It's not perfect, but it's a one-of-a-kind card -- and it's one of those kinds of cards that's as big as it gets as a dual-logoman auto from the brand that helped usher in the super-premium products that generate huge cash for high-rolling collectors today. It's slabbed as authentic likely due to the top left corner and how it's signed off the edges of the card but, again, it's alone as the only copy made making it a name-your-price piece. And, believe it or not, compared to many of the Exquisite card sales of the last few years this one still feels a tad under-priced.

Keep reading for a deeper look at four more big items in the sale that should command attention.

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If you want $100 off an item over at Goldin Auctions, here's how you can do it.

All new registrants who go here and complete the form have taken the first step.

After that, you'll need to email info@goldinauctions.com, state you are from the Blowout Forum and that you just registered at Goldin Auctions for the first time to request a $100 credit for your account.

You will receive a $100 electronic gift certificate that can be used in any auction on any invoice from today through Dec 31, 2021. The certificate is non-transferable.

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Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com. 

>> Click here to buy cards on BlowoutCards.com 

Update (Nov. 1): This one sold for $1,426,800 -- a new record for the grade.

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A low-grade copy of the biggest baseball card ever made hits the market next week.

It's a 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner baseball card and it's up for grabs in the new Goldin Auctions sale that opens Monday and closes on Oct. 31. It's a card that figures to sell well -- as this one has always done in the past -- but with a hot market potentially paving the way for new heights for this card in this condition. Either way, it's expected to be a seven-figure sale.

“Although news accounts of our company's record-breaking, seven-figure prices realized for modern cards now occur on a monthly, or even weekly basis, our success in the vintage field remains as impressive as ever," said CEO Ken Goldin. "Our unmatched expertise in all cards, old and new, along with the hobby's best marketing and promotional capabilities, ensures the very best results."

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It's easy to all this one a freakish sale -- both with the subject and the price.

A 2013-14 Panini National Treasures NBA logoman of "The Greek Freak" -- the reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo -- commanded some big money in bidding action via Goldin Auctions on Sunday night.

How much? A cool $1,857,300 after premiums -- a new record for an NBA card.

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Move over, Honus Wagner, there's a new cardboard icon in the world.

Mike Trout's 2009 Bowman Draft Superfractor set a new all-time sales record for any and all sports cards on Saturday night with the final gavel dropping at $3,936,000 via Runnemde, N.J.-based Goldin Auctions.

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Blowoutcards.com is very excited to be part of sports card history.

For more than 20 years, our team has worked with collectors and investors looking to purchase unopened boxes and cases, and early this year while working on The Modern Wax Fund we were fortunate to meet with some of the most-passionate collectors in the business.

The 1986-87 Fleer NBA sealed case of 12 36-pack boxes is one of the most-prestigious, rare and sought-after items in our hobby as it includes the Rookie Cards for Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone and many other Hall of Famers. We fielded dozens of calls for our opinion and assessment of value shortly after what many consider the "holy grail" of modern era sports cards was going to be available at auction.

One of those calls was from a collector that we have worked with in the past and we were given the green light to purchase the case on his behalf. We are pleased to announce that we were successful in procuring it for him via Collect Auctions for $1.79 million on Thursday night.

Based on perfect collation -- Fleer was relatively consistent in its delivery at that time -- the case should be home to roughly 40 untouched Jordans, which have sold for $100,000 in BGS 10 form and PSA 10s have pushed that mark to just over $97,000 via Goldin Auctions. The card is heavily graded but those top marks are elusive due to the printing, cutting and packaging of the era.

Blowout Cards is active in the market and looking to purchase unopened NBA boxes and cases. A few current examples include 1980-81 Topps, 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection, any Panini Prizm and also  Panini National Treasures releases.

If you have any to sell, please email wanted@blowoutcards.com.

For more information on the Modern Wax Fund, visit Modernwaxfund.com.
For inquiries or questions please contact Thomas Fish at fish@blowoutcards.com.

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Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com. 

>> Click here to buy cards on BlowoutCards.com.

Update: The above card sold for $1.84 million when the auction ended -- the buyer being a direct-mail company's CEO.

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The action is picking up as the clock is winding down for the finale tonight at Goldin Auctions with this 2003-04 Exquisite Collection LeBron James card already topping the $1-million mark with its premium.

There's about nine hours to go before the auction might end with more bids beyond the current 24, but even the current mark would make it the most-expensive basketball card ever sold as well as the priciest modern card in any sport, topping past $900,000-plus sales of key Mike Trout autos via Goldin.

The Runnemede, N.J.-based auction house has a number of other big-ticket memorabilia pieces and interesting items in its current auction. (Don't believe me? Hit that link and look at the first six items -- they're huge and don't make my list this time.)

Keep reading for a deeper look at a few more items ending tonight.

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Today's the last day of auction action over at Crazy Uncle Auctions and since that might not be on your natural list of places to check for modern cardboard, well ... that's why Buzz is here.

The Harrison, N.Y.-based auction house has an impressive array of stuff -- from elite oldschool pieces that you wouldn't imagine existing to stuff fresh from the card factories of today.

POLAR BEAR POWER
The Item: Pete Alonso 2019 Topps NOW #705A Autographed Relic (/99)
The Price: $80 after five bids (about 10 hours remaining)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This is one of 15 Alonso cards up for grabs in this one and it's at a fraction of the previous eBay prices (for now) with some solid flip potential even if bidding picks up from here. (It should but could still be a good buy.) eBay asking prices are at least $100 higher and actual sales of comparable Relics (not this one but others from Topps Now) are $250 and up. The key here might be timing -- with MLB set to return there could be more attention here very soon for this big-market slugger. Either way, it's an iconic card noting a key part of his career so far and not a generic aut0-Relic card.

Keep reading for a deeper look at four more items ending tonight that caught Buzz's attention for this weekend edition of Auction Buzz -- the action closes at 11 p.m Eastern here.

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THE BIG KAHUNA
The Item: LeBron James 2003-04 Exquisite Collection rookie patch autograph /23 (BGS 9.5/10)
The Price: $800,000 after 21 bids (three weeks remaining)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: The current Goldin Auctions sale includes a number of legendary pieces for Michael Jordan up for grabs, but right now it's a different No. 23 who might be re-writing the record books for some NBA cardboard soon and could become a million-dollar sports card. Early bidding action makes that something in the realm of possibility so far on this LeBron James piece. There were only 23 RPAs made and signed in this landmark release.

Keep reading for a deeper look at four more of items up for grabs in their current auction.

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Knowing where to look for new items in your collection can be a challenge at times -- if you shop where many others do, you might not find rare gems and you might find plenty of things from one genre of collecting that you might not want or need.

But sometimes you might be surprised by what you can find via auction houses, which used to be the home of mostly vintage treasures. Not any more.

The 15 items you see above (click for a closer look) are from a wide array of the collecting world and they're all up for grabs right now via Crazy Uncle Auctions, a Harrison, N.Y.-based auction house.

Keep reading for a deeper look at five of them.

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The first night of Dallas-based Heritage Auctions' three-day Spring Sports Catalog Auction opened with some serious firepower that wasn't just about all of those vintage rarities that just shouldn't exist anymore.

It also included some impressive sales of rare singles from modern cardboard -- and some modern cases that probably don't exist anymore in high volume as the treasures inside them can command huge wads of cash, too.

Among five cards that commanded six-figure sales last night was the 2010 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks Superfractor 1/1 autograph of former NL MVP Christian Yelich, which sold for $111,000 in a PSA 9 slab. Joining it was a 2011 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks Superfractor 1/1 autograph (also a PSA 9) of Francisco Lindor, which went for $102,000. The other five six-figure cards were of Joe Jackson, Mickey Mantle and Ted Williams -- cards either immensely rare or in high grades. A top-grade Michael Jordan 1986-87 Fleer Rookie Card just missed that club but set a new record for the card's sale.

A number of other key modern cards were scorchers, too -- check out a gallery and sales stats after the jump -- and some modern cases less than a decade old also commanded top dollar, too.

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Monster season, monster ball.

The baseball that New York Mets rookie Pete Alonso hit for his record-tying 52nd home run this season sold for five figures via MLB Auctions on Sunday.

How much? A cool $27,690 (with $15 more for shipping, of course) after 86 bids in the auction that began on Oct. 2.

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Update (Oct. 20): It sold for $187,500.

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The Chosen One's jersey is on the auction block and it could fetch six-figures when it sells next month.

Seventeen years after LeBron James made his Sports Illustrated debut, the gold St. Vincent-St. Mary Fighting Irish jersey he wore for that photo and a game that night is being sold via Runnemede, N.J.-based Goldin Auctions.

"Few players transcend their sport and few collectibles transcend the industry," said Ken Goldin the auction-house founder. "When you combine those two elements into one item records are broken and that is what we fully expect with this historic high school jersey of the world's most recognizable athlete of this generation."

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This hood of NASCAR driver Gray Gaulding's No. 08 Panini America Chevy may not look this clean once it arrives, but it will be headed into a collection out there sometime soon.

Why? How? Well it will be taking the track on Friday night at Bristol Motor Speedway, a track with action that can the equivalent of a race meeting a demolition derby inside a football stadium -- a literal track where the whole "rubbing is racing" cliche is far more than 100-percent true. After that? Well, there's no waiting for that -- this race-used hood already on the auction block. (Keep reading for the info there.)

The arrival of 2019 Donruss football cards and NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes II are on the hood for the ride under the lights at the Food City 300 -- one of a few races where the card-maker has signed on with the 21-year-old Virginia native.

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You may have seen the headlines, but here's the real scoop.

BlowoutCards.com was the buyer of the $107,010 PSA 10 grade Pokémon 1st Edition set sold via Goldin Auctions this weekend, a sale that generated headlines from around the world -- not just the collecting world -- as the power of Pokémon is well-known. (And it's not just the cherished Charizard card leading the way here, either.)

Among the national news sites writing about this one? Newsweek, CNBC, TMZ Sports, Kotaku, Geek.com and CNET.

BlowoutCards.com is aggressively buying past Pokémon booster boxes and sets -- send an email pokemon@blowoutcards.com if you're selling. Keep reading to see this landmark set in its entirety and for Goldin's take on why the set is (and it is) a key release for a generation of younger collectors.

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What if Mike Trout had been found on a 2011 Bowman Chrome Rookie Card autograph and it had a Superfractor parallel?

That didn't happen, but that dream cardboard scenario could have been close to reality if a new item in an upcoming Goldin Auctions event is any indicator.

It's a PSA/DNA certified Trout autograph -- that part's for sure -- on a card that looks like it could be a genuine Super from that year's release. It's a card that could have been printed by Topps but then never released when a signing couldn't be lined up in time.

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A Chicago Cubs fan you know might need a loan.

That's because the fielding gloves used by Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo when they fielded the final out in the 2016 World Series to end 108 years of heartache are headed to the auction block on Aug. 1 in Chicago via a Goldin Auctions event coinciding with the National Sports Collectors Convention.

The opening bid? A cool $250,000 -- and they are being sold together.

Both gloves are signed and inscribed by the players to note their historic status with documentation from both MLB Authentication and Fanatics, which handled autograph signings with the championship team. The items have been seen on countless pieces of memorabilia given their significance, of course, with the Bryant glove seen on one of his 2017 Topps Heritage cards and both on the cover of Sports Illustrated being just two examples.

"Goldin Auctions is proud to offer at auction two significant pieces of history involving that monumental play," reads the auction listing. "Two truly remarkable pieces of baseball history offered in one lot."

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It's got four rounded corners and plenty of missing original real estate, but it's the highest-selling piece of cardboard this year.

SCP Auctions has brokered a private sale of this 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner card for $1.2 million, according to the company.

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