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: 2023 Leaf Metal Pop Century 1/1 Pre-Production Proofs
Where to buy: Click here (when available)

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

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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 ... 

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A HISTORY LESSON
The Cards: Huck Betts, Joe Oeschger & Whitey Glazner 2019 Historic Autographs Triple Play Cut Signatures Triple Play Booklet ... plus 1961 Topps Leon Cadore & Joe Oeschger (Brooklyn-Boston Play 26-Inning Tie) from the Baseball Thrills subset
The Price: $21 total
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: I'm not exactly sure what sparked my going down the rabbit hole to end up finding this one -- whether it was some trivia about the game or just a search of cut autographs I'm not sure as I found this earlier this year -- but for something different without breaking the bank this cardboard duo was worth a lead-off spot this time. As the Topps card details, on May 1, 1920, the Brooklyn Robins and Boston Braves played 26 innings to a 1-1 tie that ended due to darkness and that's still an MLB record. Cadore and Oeschger both pitched all 26 innings -- think about that a minute -- and that's their only Topps card appearance. As for the cut, Oeschger gets the center spot with an inscription for that game, while Betts was a rookie in 1920 for the Phillies and Glazner was a rookie for the Pirates later that year. Why are all three on this cut auto book? I'm not totally sure ... but all three did pitch for the Phillies at some point so it could be that beyond 1920 highlights. The center auto here is the key to me ... that's some good trivia.

Grab a box right here: Nothing for this one ... BlowoutCards.com for MLB

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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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: 2023 Leaf Metal Pop Century 1/1 Pre-Production Proofs
Where to buy: Click here (when available)

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

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 ...

THE AIR UP THERE ...
The Card: Michael Jordan 2009 Goodwin Champions
The Reason Graded: This is one I pulled from a pack of this Ginter-style rival throwback brand back when it arrived, and it's got an obviously appropriate background for Air Jordan. It's that simple touch (and it being a dunk shot) that makes this card -- in all its versions -- in some demand. This one had been in my "maybe grade" pile for literally years and I finally worked it into a bulk sub since the NBA season is here.
The Grade: CGC 10

Reality Check: It checked in higher than I had expected, though I tend to punt cards where the centering is just slightly off ... but those can still land a 10 like this one did. Ultimately I was good with any mark as, for me, this is more of a novelty slab -- about the only Jordan collecting I do is his baseball stuff. Interestingly, most copies of this card have checked in here -- that's surprising to me -- but with that overall volume still low that could change easily with time.

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

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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 seeFa busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The pack: 2024 Fantasy Super Costplay Wrestling Series 4 trading cards
Where to buy: Will take some looking ... BlowoutCards.com for WWE/AEW

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

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What's Buzzing: Anthony Volpe keeps the Yankees alive, Freddie Freeman makes history, Allen & Ginter arrives, Costco Star Wars boxes and more.

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What: 2024 Topps Star Wars High Tek trading cards
Arrives: Jan. 8, 2025
Box basics: Two serial-numbered parallels 20-card box (12 boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Odds: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Topps brings Tek to this galaxy once again with a few different looks every time and with rarer chases being autographs and sketch cards.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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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: 2023 Leaf Metal Pop Century 1/1 Pre-Production Proofs
Where to buy: Click here (when available)

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

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What's Buzzing: The World Series is here, Topps Update breaks, Judge vs. Ohtani and more in this Friday edition.

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What: 2024 Topps Chrome Disney trading cards
Arrives: via Topps UK
Box basics: 12 six-card packs per box
Checklist/parallel info: Click here
Order: Click here (when available)

What's buzz-worthy: The Topps Chrome show arrives with all the Disney flair for another year but this time with more rarities in the mix as it takes a look at the world of characters that spans generations.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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What: 2024 Topps Star Wars Chrome Galaxy trading cards
Arrives: Nov. 1
Box basics: 18 four-card packs per box (12 boxes per case) -- one autographed card per case
Checklist: TBD
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Star Wars' art-driven Galaxy line gets one more turn on Chrome revisiting all aspects of the Star Wars universe but with autographs once again a case-level chase -- and some new rarities such as Blank Canvas art cards from Lucasfilm animators which will be tougher to find than the autos.

Keep reading for more as well as a gallery.

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Heroes, villains, iconic actors, illustrated legends and more ... much, much more.

There's so much to find in the just-arrived 2024 Kakawow Phantom Warner Bros. 100th Anniversary trading card set -- it's one that spans generations of entertainment all in one spot with heavy doses of icons from film and television. Ripping into a pack can mean landing icons as Superman, Batman and Willy Wonka in film or animated form as well as looks at past landmark releases and franchises such as The Wizard Of Oz, Friends, Tom & Jerry or The Matrix with a ton of modern-day flash and surprise. It's already is generating surprises on eBay early on after its formal arrival this week.

What are some of the variables creating those surprises? Well, for starters, this release is massive -- so big we'd be here all day detailing it but you can see all of the basics and a checklist here -- with literally more than 2,000 cards spread over tiers in a basic set, several numbered parallel versions and then some chase sets with parallels, too. And beyond the depth of who and what can be found here as it takes a look at 100 years of entertainment, it's also important to note that the distribution is global for this one, meaning those rarities are spread out. (There's no separate American Edition box with its own chases, for example, for this one -- the run is 10,000 cases of 500 cards apiece and that's it from Kakawow, which is a Chinese card company.)

Collect 'em all? That will be challenging ... heck, even picking what to collect within this one might be tough. Come with us as we take a look at some finds fresh from eBay via a gallery after the jump.

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What: Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 trading cards
Arrives: Dec. 18
Box basics: Four autographs and one Relic per 24-pack box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: The newest Trek series hits cardboard for the fifth time with this release including five hits per box and plenty more to chase.

Keep reading for more details.

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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 ... 

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THERE'S ALWAYS TIME FOR TIFF
The Card: Tiffany Stratton 2024 Panini Instant WWE Red-White-Blue Autograph (/10)
The Price: $49.99 via Panini Instant
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This was an instant buy for me for that price and I suspect that future autos for this rising WWE star will cost more when they happen again via Instant based on asking and sale prices over on eBay that are far higher. (And because Panini has charged more for names who aren't as popular.) It's not a perfect card with the auto running off the sticker to a small degree here (though others I saw were worse with that being part of the "T") but that doesn't matter to me much with this being a personal collection addition. The only question is whether I'll slab it or not and I'm leaning toward no as I don't want any surprises on a solid card. With this victory, she got a title match anywhere and at any time, so this is a key moment upon that rocketship ride to the top as she only started wrestling in any capacity in late 2021 and already has all the skills to pay the bills. (Here's one match to see.) There will be more Strattons to come here as long as the prices don't get too crazy.
Grab a box right here: Not for this ... WWE cards are here

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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For years now, autographed books coming direct from the publishers -- or direct from the authors themselves -- have been an affordable way to collect ink from notable names in all realms of pop culture.

It's not a perfect system with stamped autos, fakes and autopens sometimes in the mix -- a problem for publishers to catch as they are not authenticators -- but thanks to dedicated collectors on the Blowout Cards Forum and elsewhere, those problems often get caught and fixed ... or at least become well-known enough to avoid if it's an issue that goes uncorrected.

Getting ink in-person is always best -- book tours still happen, of course -- but landing autographed editions from publishers, online sellers or celebs themselves via their websites or other appearances are common.

Our latest subject and autograph in this ongoing series? Rap icon LL Cool J.

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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 ...

A MONSTER YEAR ...
The Card: Shohei Ohtani 2018 Topps Heritage High Number -- Rookie Card
The Reason Graded: Ohtani had a monster season without even pitching -- first 50-50 Club member for starters and just short of the National League Triple Crown -- and his big-time potential had me submitting some of my RCs for him earlier this year. Did people expect this kind of showing, though? Probably not -- I know I didn't -- but I know Heritage RCs are my preference, so this one made the cut. The bottom corners seem to be the most-common issue with these cards, but this one was clean and so it made my sub -- and I will have two more on the way to grading, too, so you'll see more of this card during the off-season or by next spring.
The Grade: CGC 10

Reality Check: The graded volume is high here but perhaps still modest vs. PSA volumes -- I'm good with that -- and this one has only been topped three times. I dig that. This mark isn't that rare but it is one that would be in demand with the two slots below also where many will look.

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

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Their 40th anniversary will be celebrated in style.

A Kickstarter campaign to bring a new set of Transformers cards to life was funded in minutes and a number of options for collectors to partake in their celebration of the 1980s toys and now television and film icons.

Dynamite Entertainment is behind the Transformers 40th Anniversary Trading Cards set with pledges topping $180,000 so far via more than 700 backers after having a goal of only $19,840 when it launched -- there are 25 days left, too, to grab some premium pieces such as sketch cards alongside various packages.

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What: 2024 Leaf Metal Blue Mountain State football cards
Arrives: Nov. 8
Box basics: One autographed card per five-card box (10 per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Blue Mountain State's rumored comeback will include football cards for the Mountain Goats with plenty of reel world stars in play as well as a few from real-world football, too, in a jam-packed collection celebrating the cult classic.

Keep reading for more.

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What: 2024 Kakawow Phantom Warner Bros. 100th Anniversary Box trading cards
Arrives: Oct. 11
Box basics: Two to four "limited numbered" cards per 10-pack box (10 boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: The international card-maker turns its focus to everything Warner Bros. as it offers up a vast collection of pop culture, history and celebrity all in one spot for the 100th anniversary of the studio.

Keep reading for more info.

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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 there's a bit of everything in there.e--

FINALLY FOUND A FISTOGRAPH ???
The Card: Otis 2021 Topps WWE Undisputed Fistographs (/25)
The Price: About two Prizm WWE blasters (plus tax)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This box-topper from Topps' best release not named Transcendent back in its WWE days was not a regular kind of find. These days some of these are expensive and some are not, but the ones I'd want tend to have more dollars attached. While this literal big star -- a power and comedy guy -- isn't really on my radar, this was as a perfect example to own one of these cards for any name when I found it on the cheap. Now, what is it? If you haven't figured that out, that's a print from his right hand balled into a fist dipped in what looks like some light black paint and then pushed onto the card. The thumb touch blends in with his hand in the photo a bit but the rest is obvious, and it's a unique kind of card for a fighter.
Grab a box right here: Click for WWE cards

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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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 ...

KING OF THE RING?
The Card: Elvis Presley in Kid Galahad -- 2022 Topps Elvis Presley: The King of Rock and Roll Pink parallel (/45)
The Reason Graded: I think I only bought one card from what was a Topps Now-style weekly look back at the career of The King from just a couple years ago -- and it was because of the boxing twist you see on this card. Couldn't tell you a thing about the movie and actually don't own a single Elvis CD -- much more Beatles here -- but the visual was unique to me so I grabbed, I believe, a five-pack of this card (likely in a past Buzz Buys) and landed this parallel as a bonus. It had been in my maybe-grade pile for a long time and as part of a variety-packed submission it finally made the cut. Why? How many other Elvis boxing cards do you know of? (I know of one ... this card's photo knocks it out cold.)
The Grade: CGC 10 (pristine)

Reality Check: There's only one other card in this parallel set graded to go with this solo slab -- a regular 10 -- but that doesn't surprise me that much. I don't think this would be that popular with collectors who might grade, but Presley is popular enough to have a ton of card appearances in his prime years and a number of posthumous releases as a giant and an icon of music ... and merchandise licensing, too. I figured I'd mix things up here this month and lead off with something different vs. some new football slabs as we enter that season or the obvious hot MLB names. (There's more NFL to come for both this time and in the coming months for sure.)

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

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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 pack: 2024 Wild Card Decades National Promo Pack
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
First Buzz preview: TBD ... this is for a future release.

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

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What's Buzzing: Fanatics Fest, Bobby Witt Jr., crunching numbers on a Topps Now record-setter, plenty of Chrome and more in this Sunday edition.

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What's Buzzing: Juan Soto chatter, a "junk wax" question, Star Wars Chrome breaks, comic books and more.

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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 pack: 2024 Wild Card Decades National Promo Pack
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
First Buzz preview: TBD

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

Continue reading →