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 packs: 2022 Topps 206 Star Wars Wave 1 (two packs)
First Buzz preview & Checklists: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available)

Keep reading for a full breakdown of what was in this one as well as a gallery of highlights.

Continue reading →

If you hadn't noticed, there are a number of boxes with discounted prices right now right here as Blowout Cards' Black November sales have arrived this year.

The fourth wave is here and many of the discounts were dramatic enough that Buzz once again had to ponder the possibilities in many of the boxes and cases -- and here are five that caught this collector’s eye ... and there's far more that just might suit your tastes in the big sale.

--

NOW'S THE TIME ...
2022 Panini Prizm WWE wrestling cards hobby boxes
This one is an important release for wrestling card collectors since it was the first Panini America WWE set and it's one that is absolutely loaded with actual Rookie Cards for a bunch of new NXT 2.0 and NXT UK stars who didn't have any previous cardboard at all as well as most of the biggest names of the past and present -- all in one spot, all on one checklist and all with rainbows of parallels. Throw in autographs and a boatload of color and inserts and there's big potential here. The Prizm investor crowd here certainly pumped these up big-time as there is big potential here the rarest stuff ... but the box prices have dropped heavily since release. Why? There's supply for everything available here -- for now -- and that volume of singles, parallels (a deep rainbow on every card and plenty of retail and hobby boxes, too) couldn't keep up with the volume of buyers if you take away the flippers. It remains the same solid release that it was when the boxes were three times the price ... but now it's a more reasonable rip. If you land big stuff you're probably still OK -- maybe more ahead vs. the past -- but if you're a collector this might be closer to the price point where it's more do-able.

Keep reading for a few more boxes you should consider (and are likely to end up in Buzz's cart).

Continue reading →

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

What's Buzzing: New MLB and non-sports pulls, Baseball Hall of Fame chatter, a new NFL weekend, Black November and vintage grading.

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 packs: 2022 Topps 206 Star Wars Wave 1 (two packs)
First Buzz preview & Checklists: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available)

Keep reading for a full breakdown of what was in this one as well as a gallery of highlights.

Continue reading →

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

What's Buzzing: Pondering new Allen & Ginter ink to come, sniping stats, T206 Star Wars, Black November deals, the market on wrestling cards and more.

Continue reading →

Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals is to rip a little less and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... and this time around it's a mix of really recent pick-ups as well as stuff found over the last year.

--

A NEW CLASSIC ... 
The Cards: Roger Maris 2022 Topps Living Set five-pack (/5,722)
The Price: Bundle price via Topps
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: Maris' name was in the headlines quite a bit with Aaron Judge's run toward his American League record 61 home runs -- also the New York Yankees' franchise record -- and Topps responded with a new Living Set card for this legend. The Jared Kelley piece includes some Easter eggs with the obvious one being a "61" on his bat and when I saw it I knew it was an instant buy. I grabbed a five pack with an eye on grading at least one, maybe two copies. (One is on its way to CSG as I type this and depending on how that goes a second might go there, too.) I haven't bought too many Living Set cards this year with lighter stock and centering issues straight from Topps happening too often even in my limited experience, but I think my one I sent in here should do well.
Grab a box right here: Nothing for this one ... but MLB boxes are here.

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

Continue reading →

Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.

Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ... 

GOOD AS GOLD ...
The Card: "Stone Cold" Steve Austin 2022 Panini Select WWE Gold Flash (/10)
The Reason Graded: If you recognize this card, well, there's a reason. Just a few weeks ago, I pulled it from a blaster box and thanks to CSG's quick, budget-minded services I turned this around fast and, well, this rarity pays for itself. This retail-only card is rare -- only nine others like it exist -- and it came back with a top mark since even the horizontal centering was clean. (That's not the norm from what I have seen with this release.) This is a pricey card right now so that was my main reason for slabbing, and now it's that much better.
The Grade: CSG 10

Reality Check: It's the only one that has been slabbed so far. How many might still be sitting in packs? Generally speaking, Select is a strong release worth your look in any format -- and I have other stuff here I intend to get graded.

Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.

Continue reading →

Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals is to rip a little less and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... a mix of recent grabs and some older stuff, too.

--

A SURPRISING SEASON
The Cards: Spencer Strider 2022 Topps Living Set (five-pack)
The Price: Bundle price via Topps.com
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: The defending World Series champs didn't have the finish they'd hoped for this year, but one big highlight this season was the arrival of this rookie seemingly out of nowhere. Strider flashed record-setting potential for strikeouts when on the mound as he went 11-5 this season with a 2.69 ERA and 202 strikeouts in 172 innings He reached 200 Ks in 130 innings -- an MLB record held by Hall of Famer Randy Johnson -- and he had 16 Ks in a single game to break the team record. The year also got him a new contract that will keep him in Atlanta along with a number of other young stars for several years. Strider had RCs in this year's stuff since early on but should have more to come in the later releases that have been delayed. I grabbed this pack with an eye on grading with mixed results -- one had big, nasty surface issues, two having unusual and not-good surface problems and then two that are yes/maybe for slabbing. One is in CSG's hands as I type this.
Grab a box right here: Nothing for this one ... but MLB boxes are here.

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

Continue reading →

Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.

Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ... and it's one of the biggest months ever.

A MONSTER MONTH ...
The Card: Bo Bichette 2020 Topps Archives Snapshots Archives Autographs
The Reason Graded: I've been buying up Bo Bichette cards relatively heavily by my standards -- second perhaps only to some top favorites and people with school ties -- but of all my pick-ups only one was an autograph. These were, I believe, via a redemption and that's how I landed mine -- at least in a sealed Topps top-loader -- and I opted to slab it in a recent submission. (Even though I generally don't grade a lot of autos as I don't want to get a dreaded grade on a card I like.)
The Grade: CSG 9

Reality Check: I'm fine with nines, but this one seemed like a slight bummer as I didn't see anything dramatically wrong with it -- so there must have been a couple of minor issues that dropped it down in tandem. The design here is one that doesn't have a lot of perfectly center-able features ... so maybe part of that was just a judgment call, too.

Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.

Continue reading →

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

What's Buzzing: Aaron Judge waits for another day, the WWE's White Rabbit mystery, NFL chatter, Star Wars, MLB and more.

Continue reading →

Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals is to rip a little less and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ...

WADDLE, WADDLE, WADDLE ... 
The Piece: Jaylen Waddle autographed 16-by-20 Waddle celebration photo (Fanatics Authentic)
The Price: $75 (on sale)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: I picked up this oversized auto on the cheap last week and before his big game with QB Tua Tagovailoa on Sunday as I liked the signature moment seen here and he's a school ties guy in my collection. (Last time here, I had this Tua piece lead off but I didn't even buy them at the same time.) His autograph isn't big -- and it's not that big on this oversized photo, either -- but I figured demand could be on the rise this year and, like I said, it was on sale (normally about $100 before they sold out). An inscribed "Fins Up" option also was/is available but I didn't need that as an Alabama fan. On cards, he has plenty to choose from -- more than 2,300 different autographed cards since just last year as part of the 2021 RC crop -- and a lot of them will cost more than this while many will not. I have an early Score auto with a strong college pic and added this in case they make a run, driving up prices to the point where I can't responsibly look.
Grab a box right here: Nothing for this ... but NFL boxes are here.

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

Continue reading →

Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals is to rip a little less and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... 

--

I'M A BELIEVER ... IN BARGAINS
The Item: Tua Tagovailoa autographed and framed 10-by-18 photo (Fanatics Authentic)
The Price: Under $150 (on sale and with a rewards discount)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: I started to scour autographed cards for this QB who I think might have a strong year and, well, I was a little surprised at how his stuff can still be pretty pricey despite plenty of available options and despite the negative chatter that oddly still comes with him having a record-breaking receiver last year and then an elite speed guy added into the mix for this year. Sure, it's still the Dolphins, but since I'm an Alabama guy I'm good here either way ... though I would have preferred a quality photo like this in Crimson. But ... the price was right for an oversized and already-framed piece and the photo and crop here was unusual and a little dramatic, too, vs. a lot of other options. I wanted something different that wouldn't break the bank to start a new season and this one hit the spot. (Regular price is around $180 plus shipping, tax, etc. on top of that.)
Grab a box right here: Nothing for this one ... but 2020 NFL boxes are here

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

Continue reading →

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

What's Buzzing: The NFL's Mickey Mantle, inside a new Star Wars case, NFL Week 1 chatter and plenty more in today's edition.

Continue reading →

What: Game of Thrones The Complete Series Vol. 2 trading cards
Arrives: Nov. 16 Dec. 14
Box basics: Three autographed cards per three-pack box (20 boxes per case)
Pre-order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: A format change for this one gives Thrones fans an autograph in every pack as part of a release that's limited to only 600 750 cases worldwide.

Update (Sept. 7): The increase above is from unanticipated demand, according to the company. "Demand for Game Of Thrones The Complete Series Trading Cards: Vol. 2 has been overwhelming, if not stunning," said a company statement. "There is simply no way possible for us to satisfy anywhere close to the volume of orders that have already been requested, and we’ve not nearly heard from all of our distributors and dealers yet. With that in mind, we’re going to modify the production run from 600 cases to 750 cases, and delay release from Nov. 16 to Dec. 14. This will give us time to secure additional assets that will keep the product at a high quality level."

Keep reading for more info and images.

Continue reading →

Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.

Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ... and it might be the biggest edition ever.

BIG SEASON AHEAD?
The Card: Josh Allen 2018 Donruss Optic #154 -- Rookie Card
The Reason Graded: I pulled a pair of these from a number of rips -- probably deep in the archives here if you poke around -- but I never slabbed any of them back then, instead grading guys like Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield and maybe a Nick Chubb. Meanwhile, it turns out this guy might be The One over the long term from this rookie class. After this past season's successes and close finish at the end, I figured it was time to grade a pair of these and I'm still working through some of my past pulls to see if I need to grade more for this franchise QB.
The Grade: CSG 10

Reality Check: I was happy with this one (and I'll drop my other one here at some point later this season) as Optic stock can be hit and miss, particularly on the backs. Sometimes it's dents and wrinkles or minor dents but this one was clean. It looks like these do grade pretty well with nearly half of them getting this mark. An interesting comparison to make here? PSA has graded more than 2,500 of these with more than half being 10s, while BGS has graded only 160 and SGC has slabbed 320.

Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.

Continue reading →

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

What's Buzzing: J-Rod's getting paid, Aaron Judge keeps homering, a juicy rumor, Hard Knocks, new pulls and "the Rookie Card to have is ..."

Continue reading →

Have you seen the latest cool or interesting items on eBay? If not, you just might see some of those here. We’ll spotlight some items that have a story or just wow us with how much interest it might have — and we’re not just talking baseball cards, either.

--

IT'S ALMOST TIME ... 
The Item: Kenny Pickett 2022 Panini Prestige Draft Day autographs
The Price: $1,000 Buy-It-Now (or best offer)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: I didn't price-check this one but all you need to know is that early in the season if a rookie emerges and only has a few cards available they'll be volatile if there is on-field success. He's got draft picks autos and other sigs here as well as elsewhere but this one is one that shows his first moment as a Pittsburgh Steeler while also having an on-card auto. That top-left corner isn't perfect -- that can come with on-card autos -- but this one seems like one of those kinds of cards with big early potential ... just like him, a home-grown college star at Pitt now possibly walking right into the starting spot for the Pittsburgh Steelers sooner than later. There's a reason his autos all have some interesting asking prices right now -- beyond the fact that the rookie class isn't as loaded as the last couple years. (That's another reason stars could be more volatile this year.) I'm not a buyer here but I think a number of people will be on his stuff. I'm still getting some tastes of 2021 NFL cards, myself.
Similar Pieces: Other 2022 Panini Prestige autos on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for 2022 Panini Prestige

Keep reading for a few more interesting items in this week's roundup ...

Continue reading →

Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals is to rip a little less and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys

--

BATTING LEAD-OFF ... THE PITCHER
The Card: Tatum O'Neal (as Amanda Whurlitzer) 2013 Panini Golden Age Exhibit Box-topper
The Price: $14
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This is a modern take on the old Exhibit postcards and this one is one of a few cards in a huge set that stands out to me. Why? It's one that shows an actor in character as she was the ace of The Bad News Bears. The key here? This is a box-topper set that had 40 cards in it ... so that's a lot of boxes to open to complete a set -- just one per box -- and the collation could be quite repetitive in my experience as I ripped a ton of these over the years. While a lot of sets from even a decade ago have dried up in wax form and gotten perhaps too steep for the typical return, these are still very affordable and include some good stuff. The only drawback? A wide array of inclusions may not be for everybody and now all these years later some of the good autograph redemption cards (only a few) can't be redeemed for that ink. (Points now as they are long-expired.) There are a lot of on-card autos in this release that have no equal -- including autos from her and other Bears.
Grab a box right here: 2013 Panini Golden Age

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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: 2022 Topps Finest Star Wars (hobby box)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.

Continue reading →

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

What's Buzzing: Bill Russell, Nichelle Nichols, Deshaun Watson, The National, a non-iconic card question and Joe Montana vs. Steve Young. (What?)

Continue reading →

Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.

Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ...

THIS IS WHY YOU GRADE ...
The Book: The Amazing Spider-Man #361 -- first full appearance of Carnage (Marvel cards here)
The Reason Graded: As you probably read in a past piece where I previously graded my other newsstand copy of this iconic issue, I have a stash of early 1990s books that are all quite clean as I was picking off stuff from a bookstore without rack damage. I was more of an art fan/collector than a reader -- it was all about art and condition -- and this cover-price pickup came at a time where cards were starting to get too expensive to me in 1992 so I dabbled. I have had this stashed all this time and while the pop report here is heavy for sure ... how many of them can be newsstand 9.8s? I suspect it's a definite minority of that 5,000-some books.
The Grade: CGC 9.8 (Universal)

Reality Check: When I graded my other copy of this its pop was at 20,179 and there have been big gains at 9.4, 9.6 and 9.8. The eBay asking prices on this one for newsstand include $6,999 (not getting hit), $2,500 for a pair, just under $2,200, $2,000 and a bunch down to $750. Not that helpful. Actual eBay sales? Highs around $1,200 down to around $600 ... so definitely still a little all over the place. Recent sales are also still in that range for this key issue. No matter the timing or the price paid ... this is an example of why you grade good stuff. All it cost me $1.25 and grading fees.

Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.

Continue reading →

Fast Five is a quick list that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection or new focus -- five things that could be fun for a beginner or a new way to add something to your stash if you're a grizzled veteran.

This time? Five affordable autographs you can get at The National this year.

WHAT?
Frank Whaley, actor ($39 any item; $10 inscription)
There's only one inscription I'd add with an autograph for this veteran actor who will be signing at the show and that would be on a Pulp Fiction photo something like this one. And that inscription is "What?" -- never has a four-letter addition ever been a better buy. While I suspect he and others signing -- or show promotors -- will have photo options you should be able to buy, I'd choose my own destiny and find something like this. Sports fans might consider a Moonlight Graham photo of him from Field of Dreams or maybe one could consider something from The Doors where he played legendary guitarist Robby Kreiger. It's all about a cool item that can make the ink here and there's good potential with a long list of credits. Heck, at this price I'd try something for all three movies -- or maybe Career Opportunities. Frank Whaley signs on Friday and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. (Times all subject to change.)

--

Keep reading for four more making up the list this time.

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 packs: Marvel Comics seven-book $10 retail repack (two)
Where to buy: Walmart and other retail outlets often have these ... BlowoutCards.com for Marvel cards
First Buzz preview: N/A

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery for what was in these ...

Continue reading →

Some Doctor Who Series 11-12 exclusives are coming to San Diego Comic-Con with Rittenhouse Archives later this month.

The company revealed its plans for a bonus-pack program at the show on Tuesday, and it's for fans who buy a UK Edition box (or case) of the recently released product at the event. It's also a move that will be in play for other upcoming shows, according to the company.

"We are pleased to announce a special program for upcoming comic-cons and other conventions, in which specially marked Doctor Who Series 11-12 trading card packs will be available with Doctor Who UK Edition Series 11-12 trading cards purchased at these in-person events," the company said. "The first event will be the San Diego Comic-Con."

Keep reading for the full details.

Continue reading →

Have you seen the latest cool or interesting items on eBay? If not, you just might see some of those here. We’ll spotlight some items that have a story or just wow us with how much interest it might have — and we’re not just talking baseball cards, either.

--

NEW CHROME
The Item: Ken Griffey Jr. 2021 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary Aqua Wave Refractor
The Price: $249.95 Buy-It-Now (or best offer)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: I don't think this price is a solid one -- but as an early arrival on eBay it might get hit as this massive set (700 cards) could create challenges of easily finding any one name you're hunting, let alone a parallel of an iconic player with a solid photo and a team-appropriate parallel color. All those variables are why Junior bats lead-off here. The parallel rainbow isn't quite as vast as was originally planned for this year-later, delayed-but-now-here release, but it is one that will still create collector challenges if they dare to do it all. (I think some people might try sets given the convergence of Chrome and a Heritage-ish feel.)
Similar Pieces: 2021 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: 2021 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary

Keep reading for a few more interesting items ...

Continue reading →