Many people collect autographs -- but not in the same ways -- and not all autographs are made alike. Some are mass-produced, some are in packs. Some are personalized, some are not. Some have all kinds of documentation and many, many more have none at all ... here's a look at a few that have entered my collection in recent months as part of what will now be an ongoing series here. 

CERTIFIED INK
The Item: John Cena autographed The Last Time Is Now retirement tour 11-by-14 -- created and only initially sold by WWE
What It Cost Me: $24 via an autograph mystery buy
What's It Worth: He signed a lot of similar prints last year, typically selling for $75-100 and up over on eBay
The Buzz: The year-long retirement tour of WWE's top active star meant plenty of city-specific merch at many of his stops and then other general stuff like this signed print that was sold at other events. This one isn't tied to any one city -- many are and with some having announced editions of 1,000 copies -- and this one didn't have a specific volume signed that I have seen anywhere but I was more than pleased when I landed this one in a mystery box recently at a sliver of its typical eBay pricing. These photos were not sold unsigned and were released by WWE, making this a certified auto via them. Some eBay sellers have gotten these third-party authenticated (and that brings safety in the eyes of some buyers willing to pay more) while this is just like most of those that were signed. Cena's autographs are in high demand -- and perhaps higher demand now with life away from the ring to amp up more with him perhaps signing less WWE stuff -- but he's also been a signing machine for a long time. Watch this video from years ago. I have had his auto a few times on cards and other items from back in the day, so the stuff like this would not have been on my radar or in my collection if it wasn't for a mystery buy. I'll take it.
Find Ink: WWE boxes at BlowoutCards.com

Keep reading for a look at more autographs of different types.

Continue reading →

What: 2024 Historic Autographs Celebrity+ trading cards
Arrives: May 28, 2025
Box basics: Four encased and authenticated autos per box (four boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Historic Autographs' latest release is one all about celeb ink with a mix of cuts and also the company's first "Celebrity Originals" cards.

Keep reading for more information.

Continue reading →

What: 2024 Historic Autographs Celebrity Quad trading cards
Arrives: Dec. 11
Box basics: Four encased cut autos per box (four boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Historic Autographs' next release is one where every box starts a collection -- as in all four cut autos inside every box have a common tie.

Keep reading for more information.

Continue reading →

What: 2019 Historic Autographs Limelight Signatures
Arrives: Oct. 30
Box basics: Two celebrity autographs per box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Historic Autographs turns its spotlight to celebrities from the past with a release that will include stars from music, movies and TV.

Keep reading for more information.

Continue reading →

Blaster boxes are the taste-testing location -- the sample platter you might say -- of many products for many people who may not have a hobby shop or want to try something new without spending too much.

After a few years, some of those boxes get dirt cheap as collectors' attentions are focused elsewhere and it's fun to dig in with those boxes become available at a fraction of their original cost.

One such product for this collector is 2011 Panini Americana, a non-sports release that's somewhat higher-end and hit-driven at hobby -- one hit per pack, just four packs per box -- while the blasters typically include a hit of some type and typically more base cards than a hobby box inside.

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: 2011 Panini Americana trading cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: Shop around online.

Packs per box: 8
Cards per pack: 5
Cards in this box: 41
Base set completion: 
38 of 100 (38 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – David Carradine, Linda Hamilton, Corey Haim, Ralph Macchio, Ric Flair, Christina Applegate, Jeffrey Tambor, Leslie Nielsen, Burt Reynolds, Michael Madsen, Michelle Beadle, Pamela Anderson, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Selma Blair

Continue reading →