This year's National Sports Collectors Convention is almost here -- and here's everything found on The Buzz in advance of the show of all shows for sports fans.

The rundown is heavy on wrapper redemption info and promotional product announcements, but there are a few other things here and there that might help you plan for the event that's set to begin tomorrow in Cleveland and run through Sunday at the IX Center.

New stuff from the show floor
Show Scenes: National Sports Collectors Convention Day 5
Working the National wrapper redemption lines Part II: Panini
Steiner stop includes a little mystery and a surprise or two
Panini redemption trade-in program can be worth the wait
Show Scenes: National Sports Collectors Convention Day 4
Working the National wrapper redemption lines Part I: Topps
Show Scenes: National Sports Collectors Convention Day 3
Show Scenes: National Sports Collectors Convention Day 2
Blowout MegaMix delivers fun surprises for collectors -- and even for Buzz -- at National
Show Scenes: National Sports Collectors Convention Day 1

Blowout Cards
Start your National wrapper redemption quests with Blowout
Getting into Blowout MegaMix ain't happening until National

Buzz Contest
Take the Blowout Buzz $10 NSCC Challenge right here for your shot at 10 cool cards

Historic Autographs
Historic Autographs readies 'Pieces From The Trash' promo cards & more

Leaf Trading Cards
Leaf readies three wrapper redemptions for The National

Onyx Authenticated
Onyx offers Victor Robles ink for those busting cases at NSCC

Panini America
Panini America reveals four more VIP Party guests
Charles Barkley gets his own tribute set and wrapper redemption at show
Panini reveals its first three VIP Party guests
Panini’s first NSCC promo card teaser is all about Pink Prizms (updated with pack info)
Panini preps promo packs for NASCAR fans at National
Panini releases Box Wars schedule for The National
This year's Panini VIP Party is coming soon ... are you ready?
NSCC reveals Panini's promo set for show's VIP pass buyers
Panini America's redemption trade-in returns at National

PSA
PSA readies custom cards, big contests for The National

Super Break
Super Break readies 1/1 Pieces of the Past promos for National

Topps
Topps reveals VIP package promo cards for National show
Topps readies 2018 National wrapper redemption promo cards 

TRISTAR
TRISTAR once again readies bonus bags for The National
First Buzz: 2018 TRISTAR Signature Series National Edition
The National: Whose autograph would you grab first? Here are Buzz's picks
Albert Pujols joins autograph signers lineup for The National

Upper Deck
Upper Deck readies NSCC VIP set & reveals other show plans

Scenes From The Show last year -- see this year's galleries up top
Day 5 gallery
Day 4 gallery
Day 3 gallery
Day 2 gallery
Day 1 gallery

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Wrapper redemptions are a big focus for many show-goers and BlowoutCards.com will be there at the center of it all for collectors at this year's National Sports Collectors Convention. 

In fact, products from all manufacturers that are part of this year's wrapper redemptions will be a heavy focus for the lineup at the Blowout booth for the show that's set for Aug. 1-5 at the IX Center in Cleveland.

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Professional Sports Authenticator has a new president.

Steve Sloan has been tapped to lead PSA and PSA/DNA Authentication Services, according to an announcement from the company released on Tuesday. He'll replace Joe Orlando, who has served as its president since 2002 as well as the CEO of Collectors Universe since last October and will continue in his CEO role.

"While I will still be involved in PSA each day, my responsibilities have increased so it was time to pass the baton to someone who can focus on the day-to-day business," Orlando said. "Since taking on the role of Collectors Universe CEO, I have been working with Steve on the transition. Steve will be responsible for the performance of PSA moving forward and there is no doubt in my mind that he is the right person for the job.

"My contributions to PSA will continue, but it’s important that I further immerse myself in the other segments of the business, namely our coin division [PCGS] at Collectors Universe. ... The services and collectibles information we provide have become staples of the hobby for more than three decades. We simply want to build upon the outstanding foundation Collectors Universe already has.”

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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 Today: NSCC chatter, Mookie Betts' bigness in the hobby, big breaks and collectors react to the Topps MLB exclusive extension.

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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 Today: NSCC chatter, big pulls, PSA graded Hall of Famer Rookie Cards & more.

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Professional Sports Authenticator will have a number of things for fans to check out at this year's National Sports Collectors Convention that's set for Aug. 1-5 in Cleveland.

The leading authentication and grading company will have custom cards for fans who opt to get in on those at the show as well as contests for three notable Cleveland items that can be entered both at the show and online right now. The custom card options include Cleveland Indians and Cavaliers gear.

“Last year’s custom encapsulated card option was such a big success in Chicago that we are excited to bring the experience to collectors and sports fans in Cleveland, too,” said PSA Vice President Steve Sloan. “What better way to preserve your memory of being at the show than with a custom trading card from PSA?”

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Have you seen the latest crazy items on eBay? If not, you just might see some of those here every week as we're launching a weekly version of our eBay Buzz pieces that pop up from time to time. 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.

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HOTTEST INK IN THE HOBBY?
The Item: 2018 Cryptozoic Rick And Morty Season 1 Autograph #JR-R Justin Roiland as Rick Sanchez (/50)
The Price: $947.64 Buy-It-Now
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: Just like the cartoon series, you can't really explain it -- you just have to see it. A number of the autographs in this recently released product are scorchers and they're not even the main thrust of the set -- you'll find one and sometimes two full-color sketch cards per box (and sometimes an auto atop that). Roiland is the co-creator of this cult classic series and he signed a few different cards for characters in this release -- and that hasn't brought down prices for those that have sold or are on the block. Even the binders for this one are selling very well.
Similar Pieces: Check out other cards in this set
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for boxes and binders for Rick and Morty

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

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Update: It sold for $33,600 back in August 2018.

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Not all ticket stubs are the same -- and this one is far rarer than an iconic card in the hobby.

This Chicago Bulls stub from Oct. 26, 1984, hits the auction block late this month and it's one that could push the $10,000 mark according to Heritage Auctions. 

Why?

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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 Today: Football Hall of Famers, NSCC chatter, World Cup cards, non-sports breaks and more.

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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 Today: Big pulls from around the collecting world, NSCC chatter and more as we head into the weekend.

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Have you seen the latest crazy items on eBay? If not, you just might see some of those here every week as we're launching a weekly version of our eBay Buzz pieces that pop up from time to time. 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.

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THE ROYAL WEDDING'S BIGGEST CARD
The Item: 2012 Cryptozoic Fringe Seasons 1-2 Autographs Meghan Markle
The Price: $999 (or best offer)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: Beginning tomorrow, this American actress will potentially be known as Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Sussex as she's marrying into England's Royal Family. This is one of just a handful of trading card appearances for her in this Fringe set and this once was a relatively inexpensive signature. Now? It's pricey and a number of people will undoubtedly be interested in these cards as the international spotlight will be all over the story of how she's ended up the bride and everything that entails tomorrow. Members of the Royal Family are not permitted to sign autographs, so there won't be more to come on that front.
Similar Pieces: Other copies of this card on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for non-sports cards

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

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As you may have seen here via The Buzz Twitter account last night, a PSA 9 copy of Mickey Mantle's iconic 1952 Topps baseball card sold for a whopping $2.88 million via Heritage Auctions. 

It set a new record for The Mick but came up short of the record of $3.12 million set by a PSA 5 copy of the famed T206 Honus Wagner tobacco card.

“The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle is more than just a baseball card, it is pop culture art and the symbol of the card-collecting hobby itself,” said PSA President Joe Orlando. “This new auction record is not only a record for a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle or any post-WWII baseball card, it is now the new standard for any card other than the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner."

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Update (April 19): After 21 bids, the card stood at $2.88 million as it entered the extended bidding window (30 minute sessions).

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The Mick is about to take on the record books once again.

A PSA 9 copy of Mickey Mantle's iconic 1952 Topps baseball card is on the auction block via Heritage Auctions and its bidding is already in seven figures as we count down the minutes until its close later this week.

Just five other copies of the card have graded this high among more than 1,500 slabbed by PSA and just three have scored higher. It's estimated to sell for more than $3.5 million by the auction house, given recent demand for lower grades, and that would put it atop the list of best-selling baseball cards -- atop even top sales of Honus Wagner's T206 tobacco card.

"This card is a towering symbol of American exceptionalism, from its celebration of our national pastime to the fearless ambition of creator Sy Berger's vision to the exaltation of a culture that could elevate a poor kid from the Oklahoma coal mines to the pinnacle of fame and acclaim," said the auction house's listing. "It is 10 square inches of the American dream, preserved virtually flawlessly for eternity. It is a commodity recognized and coveted by millions, yet available to only a tiny handful of the most-sophisticated collectors."

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The longest-running sports card and memorabilia authenticator has hit a milestone.

PSA has authenticated and slabbed its 30 millionth collectible and it's an iconic one -- a 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady Rookie Card. The milestone came earlier this week with a submission of cards from a collector based in Tampa, Fla.

“PSA is certainly very proud of reaching this significant number,” said PSA President Joe Orlando. “We’ve had so many different collectibles come through the doors here over the years that it seems only appropriate that future NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady’s signed Rookie Card was recognized as our 30 millionth certified piece.”

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One of the rarest cards of baseball legend Ty Cobb has a new known specimen -- and it's the eighth copy to be found in one location.

It's a 1909-11 T206 Ty Cobb with a Ty Cobb back and it was found by the same family that previously discovered a stash of cards known as "The Lucky Seven" two years ago. This eighth card has been graded and authenticated by PSA this week and will remain with the family. It was found between two books from the home of a relative who owned the other cards.

“The family’s intent is to keep this latest addition as a memento,” Rick Snyder, owner of MINT State, who initially reviewed the cards before submitting each of them to PSA for authentication and grading, told PSA. “It’s a family heirloom that reminds them of an event that changed their lives forever.”

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On this day in 1934 in Mobile, Ala., Henry Louis Aaron was born -- and 20 years later he made his big-league debut for the Milwaukee Braves.

Twenty-two years after that? Hammerin' Hank's career ended -- in the uniform of the Milwaukee Brewers -- with him atop the all-time home run list. All of this is a simple but impressive stat-sheet reality that you can revisit here but should know.

What some younger collectors may not realize, though, is that one of his baseball cards arrived noting his new record before it actually happened and before it was on the back of his card, instead of the year after as it really should have been. (It's actually among my favorite Aaron cards, too, making the birthday the reason you're reading this.)

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Even if Tom Brady doesn't get his sixth Super Bowl ring on Sunday, his Rookie Cards from 2000 will remain the hottest cards in the hobby as it's become abundantly clear that he's The One to those who target the all-time elite on cardboard.

The biggest challenge to chasing Brady RCs isn't really finding them -- you can, but they're not cheap -- the biggest challenge of them all might be finding wax boxes where you can pull one yourself.

But we've got a shot for you to do it over on the main site.

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Just 10 of the most-notable items in the sports world that were sold in 2017 totaled more than $6.7 million in sales, ranging from the $1.68 million Norman Rockwell piece you see here to high-grade copies of Mickey Mantle's iconic 1952 Topps card.

And they all had one thing in common -- PSA or PSA/DNA authentication.

"We certified a myriad of incredible items last year, and the list is full of sports history from top to bottom," said Professional Sports Authenticator VP Steve Sloan. "We'll continue pushing ourselves toward another great year in 2018, and look forward to what’s in store."

The Newport Beach, Calif.-based company recently took the time to examine the markets last year and touted its Top 10 for 2017. Keep reading to see everything on the list.

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It's the iconic autographed Rookie Card of the iconic player of today -- and maybe any day -- and it just keeps commanding big money at auction in high-grade.

It's the 2000 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket autograph of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

And this PSA 10 copy? Well, it recently sold for $85,000 on eBay -- and it's not alone.

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It was today back in 1969 that New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath delivered on his guaranteed upset of the Baltimore Colts -- and next month an elite specimen of his best football card will hit the auction block.

It's a PSA 9 copy of his 1965 Topps Rookie Card, and it's one of just five cards to get that grade -- and none have ever graded higher.

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It's not new and fresh from a pack, but the price tag attached?

Well, it's a jaw-dropper.

It's a nearly perfect copy of Nolan Ryan's 1968 Topps Rookie Card -- a hobby classic that's chased by both New Yorkers who remember his early days with an iconic World Series-winning team, but also the fans of a rugged Texan who struck out more players than anyone else in MLB history. (And maybe by a few Jerry Koosman fans, too.)

Is it worth that? Perhaps to the right deep-pocketed collector -- but maybe not for that much, though Ryan was MLB's first million-dollar-a-year player when he signed with the Houston Astros in 1980.

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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 past wax packs in a dozen hours. We'll post one every hour on the hour all day long today ... this is Hour 4.

The pack: 1991 O-Pee-Chee baseball
The cost: $3

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

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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 Today: A big collecting question and some big pulls for the weekend.

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 Today: Big pulls, big question, big chatter and discussions on Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Bruce Maxwell, Ken Griffey Jr.'s 1989 Upper Deck Rookie Card & more.

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One of the highest-graded copies of one of a wrestling icon's first cards has hit eBay and is already putting on a show.

It's the 1982 Wrestling All-Star Series A card of Hulk Hogan, and it's a card from an iconic set that was available via mail order three years before the first WWF (now WWE) cards arrived in packs from Topps.

Is it a Rookie Card? Is it not a Rookie Card? Doesn't really matter, brother, as it's already a big deal on eBay.

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