Update: This sold for a whopping $172,725 after an initial estimate of $50,000.

"This remarkable letter from Tupac exemplifies what's thrilling about the auction business," said Ken Goldin, Founder of Goldin Auctions, "as this recently discovered find caught the eye of several serious and well-heeled bidders who went back and forth for hours until this record-setting price was reached."

--

A four-page letter and an additional letter hand-written by Tupac Shakur while he was in New York’s Clinton Correctional Facility in 1995 are on the auction block.

And the interest in them seems strong with bidding already in five-figures as part of the Goldin Auctions sale.

The mail was sent to Death Row Records publicist Nina Bhadreshwar and its letter notes that the essay had not been sent anywhere and was hers to decide what to do with it.

Continue reading →

If you want an autographed Connor McDavid puck, jersey or photo in the future, there's only one place to get it.

Upper Deck Authenticated.

This adds onto the overall deal for autographed trading cards that Upper Deck has had since McDavid was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers.

Continue reading →

One of the most sought-after cards in 2015-16 Panini Immaculate Collection has been found -- in a case of 2015-16 Panini Flawless.

Last month, a collector discovered the Kristaps Porzingis Flawless logoman 1/1 in a box of Immaculate and at that time Panini America said it had mistakenly swapped the cards and that the Immaculate 1/1 would be placed into Flawless, the company's most-premium NBA product.

The hunt for that notable card ended this weekend as it was found by a BlowoutCards.com customer, Anthony from New York, inside a Flawless briefcase.

Continue reading →

A Boston-area autograph company has teamed up with one of Boston's biggest icons for a limited-release piece of art available to collectors now.

The company is JG Autographs and its new teammate is New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

The piece is by artist Jace McTier and just a dozen signed and numbered prints as well as the original artwork will be sold.

Continue reading →

Four stars from TNA Wrestling will hit Big League Cards in Casselberry, Fla., on Saturday (Oct. 8) to sign autographs for free and help raise money for combat-wounded veterans.

Oh and there will be a charity arm-wrestling match with the shop's owner, too.

“This event is so exciting,” said owner Alan Narz. “To have TNA bring so many of its exciting superstars to Big League cards will make for a great event and lots of fun. The fact that we will be raising money for such a great cause makes it even better."

Continue reading →

A trio of charities will be helped by fans of three Boston guys who are pretty well-known there.

And everywhere else, too.

A fund-raising initiative between New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Ben Affleck (Batman!) and Matt Damon (Jason Bourne!) is ongoing giving the chance for someone to hang out with the three to talk some football, movies & more as part of a trip to Boston.

Continue reading →

Former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason is fighting ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease, but that isn't stopping him from helping fight the fight by signing an autograph for charity.

And he did it with his eyes.

A Saints jersey he signed with the aid of a robot/autopen is among 10 items up for grabs via NFL Auctions in an auction ending soon.

Continue reading →

California has a new law requiring autograph sellers to document their pieces valued at more than $5 with an extensive letter detailing the who, what, when where of it all.

It's a good thing, but it's also bound to create some challenges for smaller dealers or event organizers in the state who now have to keep track of all inked items, document them and have guarantees saved away for years.

Continue reading →

Topps Heritage arrived today for the guys down on the farm but the 2016 Topps Heritage Minor League set and its autograph checklist are loaded with some big-league talent thanks to a talented crop of newcomers.

And that means there are some good variations and autographs to chase.

Continue reading →

What: 2016 Onyx Baseball Clubhouse Lumber Edition
Arrives: October
Box basics: One autographed or game-used bat per box

What's buzz-worthy: This MLBPA-approved product includes bats from top young names as well as established veterans -- a roster that includes Corey Seager, Mike Trout, Gary Sanchez, Miguel Cabrera and Miguel Sano to name a few.

Keep reading for more info, including a full checklist.

Continue reading →

Buffalo Sabres star Jack Eichel is a Leaf Trading Cards exclusive when it comes to autographs, but the company is giving collectors a chance to get his ink on other company's hockey cards via an upcoming private signing.

According to the company, it's the only way to get non-Leaf cards signed as the former No. 2 pick will not sign them if asked to in-person.

Continue reading →

After five years, he has signed.

Atlanta Falcons receiver Julio Jones has signed his 2011 cards -- Rookie Cards that were all issued as redemption cards a half-decade ago.

"The folks inside the Panini America Acquisitions department never lost hope," read a statement on the company's blog. "And they never gave up. They kept working the phones, and remained in frequent contact with the NFLPA and Jones’ representatives in hopes of one day landing that elusive 'Yes' that would lead to Jones signing the thousands of key cards that had been safely in his possession since he received them during his rookie season."

Continue reading →

Camren Bicondova's autographs didn't arrive back to Cryptozoic in time for pack-out.

And we can see why.

But the Gotham star -- the future Catwoman -- will still be released outside of packs via a few non-traditional ways after the company's Season 1 product officially arrived on Aug. 31 with at least one autograph in every box.

Continue reading →

Shaquille O'Neal took his place among the newest members of the Basketball Hall of Fame this past weekend and it's his shoes, which are now available via Steiner Sports, that show he's still one of the biggest.

A limited run of O'Neal's size 22 Reebok "Shaq Attaq" Pumps are available via Steiner and the sheer novelty of a shoe that large is a big part of the selling point.

So much so, Steiner also is selling them unsigned.

Continue reading →

From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The case: 2012 Panini Cooperstown baseball cards (hobby case)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Boxes per case: 14
Packs per box: 24
Cards per pack: 5
Cards in this box: 120
Cards in this case: 1,680
Base set completion: 
200 of 200 (100 percent)
Duplicates: Plenty, but Buzz ain't counting those this time

Continue reading →

The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are five threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: New-product breaks, old-product breaks and a Super Break.

Continue reading →

What: 2016 TRISTAR Quest Top Shelf
Arrives: Oct. 26
Box basics: Four envelopes per box -- each with an autographed item or memorabilia redemption inside (one box per case)

What's buzz-worthy: TRISTAR's Quest takes things up a notch with a breaker product that is the company's most high-end line to date.

Keep reading for more.

Continue reading →

Topps has been teasing some of the autograph signers for its next Star Wars set and that includes a deep, deep roster of those who have brought a universe to the screen.

One of those signers is even George Lucas' son, Jett, who appears in two of the prequels -- Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. 

Believe it or not, he's signed before -- he had a single autographed card in 2013 Star Wars Galactic Files -- but that's it.

Continue reading →

From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2016 Topps Archives Signature Series baseball cards
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 1
Cards per pack: 1
Base set completion: 
N/A

Continue reading →

What: 2016 Topps Archives Snapshots baseball cards
Arrives: Now via Topps.com
Box basics: One autograph per 12-card box

What's buzz-worthy: The latest online-exclusive arrives with an autograph and a parallel inside every pack along with a selection of base cards.

Keep reading for more as well as a full gallery of images.

Continue reading →

Vin Scully has been in baseball as the voice of the Dodgers for the last 67 years.

That's longer than Topps baseball cards have been regularly around. That's just a few years after the NBA was founded. That's longer than 14 MLB teams -- nearly half of of the majors  -- have been around.

With the 88-year-old's broadcast career in its final stretch, some collectors might be looking to grab one of his few certified autographs -- it won't be easy.

Continue reading →

He's a 29-year-old, 5-foot-11 second baseman-shortstop who's in his fifth season as a big-leaguer. He's a Minnesota Twin with Defensive Player of the Year and All-Star honors.

He's also a guy who, thanks to a three-homer game last night while batting lead-off, has a career-high 38 homers this season.

He's Brian Dozier -- and he's also not the easiest guy to find on baseball cards.

Continue reading →

What: 2016 Leaf Pop Century Signed Photograph Retail Edition
Arrives: October
Box basics: One autographed 8-by-10 photo per box (20 boxes per case)

What's buzz-worthy: Leaf's latest buyback product for pop culture arrives on the retail front with certified autographed photos from the biggest names in Hollywood as well as big names from elsewhere.

Continue reading →

From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and break down the results here. Like this and want to see more -- or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2015 Leaf Wrestling Autographed  8x10 Photograph Edition
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 1
Photos in this box: 5
Base set completion: 
N/A
Duplicates: N/A

Continue reading →

The No. 1 pick has a new -- and exclusive -- home.

Topps revealed on Wednesday that it has signed Philadelphia Phillies prospect Mickey Moniak to an exclusive deal for his cards and memorabilia. This also means his autographs will only be found in upcoming Topps products and Bowman lines such as 2016 Bowman Draft. He'll also appear in 2016 Bowman's Best.

“As the top overall pick of this year's MLB Draft, we’re ecstatic to have Mickey headlining our 2016 Bowman Draft release,” said Bowman brand manager Zvee Geffen. “The Bowman brands are home to the game’s future stars and, as Mickey certainly fits that billing, he epitomizes the best of our brand.”

Continue reading →