This year's National Sports Collectors Convention is nearly here -- it's set for July 31-Aug. 4 in Chicago with a strong roster of autograph guests ready to sign for collectors who get a ticket and get in line for their moment beyond the ballpark.

Some signers are free if you attend the VIP reception on opening day of the show or buy a VIP ticket package -- a bonus for taking the time to hit every day of the show -- but other signers will take some planning to land the ones you want.

It's tough to see everything at The National -- it's that big -- and the time it takes to work through autograph lines is valuable in that it impedes your shot at seeing it all. With that said, here are my picks -- one per day plus a bonus pick this year -- to grab off the autograph list. (Keep reading for the full signers list in a gallery ... and, remember, times are always subject to change.)

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We now know who the free signers will be for those who pick up VIP admission ticket packages at this year's National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago.

The show organizers have revealed the 21 free signers for this year's show set for July 31-Aug 4 at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center, and it's a roster that includes a Heisman Trophy winner and three Hall of Famers as well as plenty of players with Chicago ties.

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Have you seen the latest cool cards from a new release? With so many options for collectors of all kinds arriving every week it's possible you haven't. That's where Buzz comes in -- well at least on one brand you'll see here from time to time in what we're calling Buzz's Pick Six. Simply put, here are six cards from a new arrival that seemed interesting to this collector and we think they might interest you, too.

This week's release: 2018 Panini Playbook.

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FROM THE VAULT ... TO THE VAULT
The Card: Baker Mayfield Playbook Vault Tri-Fold Jersey Auto Premium (1/1)
The Price: $4,599.99 Buy-It-Now (or best offer)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: I'd argue that these Vault cards are the most-impressive finds from this booklet-loaded brand and Mayfield might be the hottest rookie right now. The 1/1 versions of these cards are almost comically stacked with logos from various types of memorabilia but they carry a stronger feel than the simpler versions. (Buzz would be happy to pull any of these ... any type, any player ... I like books.) This is a card that will be locked away in a collection somewhere once it goes and it probably won't ever be seen again.

Keep reading for five more interesting cards from this one ...

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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: 2017 Panini Classics football cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 14
Cards per pack: 10
Cards in this box: 140
Base set completion: 
112 of 300 (37 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards: Dan Marino, Todd Gurley, Peyton Manning, Ken Stabler, Mark Ingram, Joe Greene, Joe Namath, John Elway, Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Raymond Berry, Fran Tarkenton, Matthew Stafford, Carson Wentz, Andrew Luck, Deion Sanders, Eric Dickerson, Steve Largent, Y.A. Tittle, Ed Jones, Boomer Esiason, Russell Wilson, Calvin Johnson, Len Dawson, Lawrence Taylor, Eddie George, Brett Favre, Bo Jackson, Aaron Rodgers, Franco Harris, Drew Pearson, Emmitt Smith, Roger Staubach, Rod Woodson, Brian Urlacher

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Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today's your day then as we launch 12 in 12 -- a series of a dozen breaks of wax boxes and wax packs in a dozen hours. We'll post one every hour all day long ... this is Hour 5.

The box: 2006 Upper Deck Legends football cards
The cost: Click here

What's inside this one? Keep reading ...

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Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today's your day then as we launch 12 in 12 -- a series of a dozen breaks of wax boxes and wax packs in a dozen hours. We'll post one every hour all day long ... this is Hour 8.

The box: 2001 Topps Archives NFL retail box
The cost: $55 (will vary if you can find it) 

What's inside this one? Keep reading ...

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Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today's your day then as we launch 12 in 12 -- a series of a dozen breaks of wax boxes and wax packs in a dozen hours. We'll post one every hour all day long ... this is Hour 3.

The box: 1991 Pro Line football cards
The cost: $19.99 

What's inside this one? Keep reading ...

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What:

What's buzz-worthy: Majestic returns with a slightly lower price, a slightly different format, a little bigger case but the same high-end inclusions and big presence for names from the past, present and future.

Keep reading for more info and images released so far.

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