What: 2020 TRISTAR Signature Series Entertainment Live Edition
Arrives: Feb. 19
Box basics: Seven autographed memorabilia pieces per case
Pre-order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: TRISTAR's Signature Series line turns its focus to the entertainment world with a release that includes a pretty good volume of items per case as part of a product that's rare -- just 50 cases will be made.

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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 around there's a little bit of everything -- 20 items for a new year.

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WILL HE STAY OR WILL HE GO?
The Card: Kyle Schwarber 2016 Bowman's Best Rookie Card (PSA 10)
The Price: $8
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: I picked this one up because the price was right for a high-grade Rookie Card but also because I took a look at the stat sheet. I'd argue that while he's been off the collecting radar of many lately, Schwarber put up a career year last season. His average was still low -- but a career-best .250 -- and he also had career marks in homers (38) and RBI (92) as well as games, at-bats, runs, hits, doubles ... pretty much everything except stolen bases and on-base percentage. He'll always be remembered as a member of the 2016 Cubs World Series championship team, but I said "had been" off collecting radars because there were recent trade rumors where he could be headed to the Yankees. A move like that would make these kinds of cheaper buys vanish far faster than they might already and rejuvenate his cardboard. I'd be buying on him right now among the cheap early options.
Grab a box right here: 2016 Bowman's Best baseball cards (when available)

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals just might be to rip fewer boxes this year 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 that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... and this time around there's a bit of everything but more on the affordable side.

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MONSTER YEAR, SIMPLE ROOKIE CARD
The Card: Derrick Henry 2016 Donruss Rookie Card (BGS 9.5)
The Price: $9
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: I made this pick-up just before he started his recent run of big games mostly because it seemed underpriced for the grade, which is a solid quad 9.5. Interestingly, just 25 copies of this card have been slabbed and nothing has checked in below this mark. It makes me think you could pick off a factory set at a pretty cheap price if you want to dabble with grading key cards here -- and there are a few where you could do pretty well with some 9.5s or 10s. About that price ... one of the other 9.5s had an asking price of $40 on eBay when I looked. Sure, the action here is heavier on Optic, ink and rarer parallels, but simple RCs of affordable sets seem to be go-to cards for more and more people these days.
Grab a box right here: 2016 Donruss (several formats)

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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 six-pack: Six autographs I'd grab now

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THE RETIRING CHAMP
The Card: Jimmie Johnson 2018 Panini Prizm Patented Penmanship auto
The Price: $69.99 Buy-It-Now (or best offer)
Boxes: Click here for all NASCAR stuff
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This 44-year-old announced today that the 2020 NASCAR season will be his final campaign as a full-time Cup driver and, in turn, his final shot at becoming the all-time season championship record-holder. He's presently tied with Richard Petty at seven career NASCAR Cup Series titles and has been that way since 2016 when he last took home the crown. In the three seasons since then, his best finish was 10th so it's debatable whether he might make a run in his final lap, but he will be one who is watched heavily. I met and interviewed him when he was a rookie which was fun back in the day but I'm actually not sure if I've ever pulled one of his autographs in my off-and-on time collecting NASCAR stuff. There's a decent amount of ink for him out there -- more than 800 different cards -- but his autograph has always been relatively minimalist, so that's why I never chased one otherwise. I might make sure to track one down now.

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

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Have you seen the latest cool or interesting 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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ONE FOR CHARITY 
The Item: Zion Williamson & R.J. Barrett 2019-20 Panini Prizm Draft Picks College Ties Black Mosaic (1/1) (BGS 9.5/10)
The Price: $15,401 after 63 bids (eight days remaining)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This card has taken on a life of its own on social media as it was pulled in a video and then taken to Texas for grading -- but then the story took another turn when its owner decided there needed to be a different finish to this card's story ... an auction where 100 percent of the money raised goes to charity. Listen to him make his decision public right here. The Zion prices have been crazy but this one could get even more dramatic before it ends -- it was at five-figures within the first day of its listing, despite Williamson being out (for now) with an injury.
Similar Pieces: Zion Williamson autos on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for 2019-20 NBA boxes 

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

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What if Mike Trout had been found on a 2011 Bowman Chrome Rookie Card autograph and it had a Superfractor parallel?

That didn't happen, but that dream cardboard scenario could have been close to reality if a new item in an upcoming Goldin Auctions event is any indicator.

It's a PSA/DNA certified Trout autograph -- that part's for sure -- on a card that looks like it could be a genuine Super from that year's release. It's a card that could have been printed by Topps but then never released when a signing couldn't be lined up in time.

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What: 2019 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures Autographed Football Mini Helmets
Arrives: July 3
Box basics: One autographed mini helmet per box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: TRISTAR's Hidden Treasures is back on the gridiron once again with new NFL names, new styles of helmets and some of the biggest names from the past all inside.

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Have you seen the latest cool or interesting 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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CONTENDERS OPTIC ARRIVES
The Item: Josh Allen 2018 Panini Contenders Optic Gold Vinyl autograph (1/1)
The Price: $2,147 after 29 bids (six days remaining)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This brand takes one of the most historically popular brands for football collectors, Contenders, and gives it an Optichrome rainbow with a lot of ink to chase. You get two autos per box but the key cards of the key rookies -- not easy pulls in this format -- are the driving force and command big cash when you find them. With a box price and format that puts the focus on the hits and the chase more than an overall collecting experience with many packs, this one is a brand that adds to the big-hit oomph when you find one. This card shows you that as it's already in big interest. It should be interesting to see how this auction goes. I'm not that big of a fan of how the text is wiped out in this design, but it's clear that the bidders don't care -- it's a big card.
Similar Pieces: Other Contenders Optic autos on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for 2018 Contenders Optic boxes

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

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When Tom Brady or Jared Goff touch a football for the first time on Sunday in Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta, they won't be close to the first people to handle them.

Beyond the typical game preparations and inspections, each of the 120 footballs for the biggest NFL game of the year will have been "tagged" by PSA/DNA with synthetic DNA ink. Each team has 54 balls prepped to be used at some point during the game and there will be 12 additional balls prepped exclusively for kicking plays.

They will be marked with nearly invisible counterfeit deterrent markings that have a one in 33 trillion chance of being duplicated, according to the company.

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PSA is making another move on its slabs.

This time around, the Newport Beach, Calif.-based company will be using its red-label slabs with the style used for graded cards on all items -- a move that affects autographed cards or other items that are PSA/DNA certified as well as over-sized photo and letter slabs.

"Uniformity and consistency are significant aspects for collectors," PSA President Steve Sloan said, "but we also believe that the added security measures that come with the red labels, such as the PSA LightHouse logo and the fugitive ink pattern, are critical components of collecting today."

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Just 10 of the most-notable items in the sports world that were sold in 2018 totaled more than $8.4 million, ranging from a $2.8 million 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card to a baseball signed by the first class for the Baseball Hall of Fame.

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

The Newport Beach, Calif.-based company recently took the time to examine the markets last year and touted its Top 10 for 2018. Keep reading to see everything on the list.

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Have you seen the latest cool or interesting 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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THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL STAR
The Item: Andrew Luck 2018 Panini Gold Standard Good as Gold patch auto (/5)
The Price: 99 cents (no bids) with six-plus days remaining
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: Remember when this guy was the hottest thing in the NFL? Injuries have derailed those Canton plans but he gets the spotlight tonight across from Tom Brady and the New England Patriots -- and that got me thinking about the autographs from a guy who once was a top dog in the hobby. Since his arrival in 2012, Luck has had more than 6,600 different football cards and he's closing in on 1,800 different certified autos. The lull in interest is probably behind us but there are still likely some bargains to be found -- and they could start with 99-cent auctions like this one.
Similar Pieces: Other Andrew Luck autos on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for NFL boxes

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

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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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Have you seen the latest cool or interesting 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.

NOT A ROOKIE CARD ... BUT, WHOA, IS IT SELLING LIKE ONE
The Item: 2012 Topps Heritage #207 Mike Trout 
The Price: They're all pretty impressive -- both past and present
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: Mike Trout doesn't have a Heritage Rookie Card but this one arrived a year later and it's selling like one both raw and graded. PSA 10 copies of this card have topped $300 while four-card raw lots have sold for as much as $250 recently. It's not short-printed but this collector never pulled one back then -- oddly -- when I pulled a few copies of pretty much everything else. You know what else is rare these days? Affordable 2012 Heritage hobby boxes and even retail boxes despite the rookie crop not being a strong one at all. (See the link below for a Hot Tip shot at some hobby packs to get in on this chase.) This card will be one to watch -- it's all over the place right now but selling way better than it should be -- as Heritage is the basic set for many of us retro-minded collectors to chase on an annual basis. The high-grade copies of this one aren't that easy -- centering and chipping can be an issue with this set -- so that's definitely driving some of the demand for this one but he's also a top player in MLB and this card does have a ton of natural appeal. Supply and demand has taken over here -- with a dash of crazy sauce, too -- but it tastes pretty good if you own a few of these. 
Similar Pieces: Other Mike Trout stuff on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for 2012 Topps Value boxes with two H packs in each one

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

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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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You ever have one of those items that you need for your collection that could be found somewhat easily but you're either too picky about its quality, too finicky about the price tag attached or have such narrow wants that it might not be too easy of a find after all?

I did, but I finally got over it a little bit while still getting what I wanted.

That item for me? An autograph from "The Voice of The Yankees" and former This Week in Baseball host Mel Allen. After years of casual looking from time to time, months of daily eBay searches with stuff that was either too pricey or not quite good enough for me (and my low price want), I finally found what I was looking for.

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If you're curious about the possible authenticity of an autographed item up for auction on eBay, PSA/DNA is now offering its QuickOpinion service specifically for items on the auction site.

The service isn't new, but it's been simplified where authenticators can offer their view on an item simply by providing the auction number and other basic info.

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A trio of autographs from a tech icon are on the auction block and the potential demand -- and the estimated values -- might surprise you.

The signer? Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who by many accounts wasn't interesting in signing autographs. The former CEO and chairman helped bring the Apple Mac, iPod and iPhones to life along with plenty of other iconic gadgets before he died at age 56 in 2011.

“Identifying Jobs as a reluctant signer is a major understatement,” said Steve Sloan, vice president of PSA/DNA, which authenticated all three pieces in an upcoming RR Auction sale. “And for us to be able to authenticate three of his signatures inside of a month is truly a rarity.”

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

The box: 2017 Historic Autograph Fame & Photo Signed 8x10
The cost: BlowoutCards.com

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

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What: 2017 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures Game Day Greats Football Jersey Edition
Arrives: Nov. 8
Box basics: One autographed football jersey per box (five boxes per case)

What's buzz-worthy: TRISTAR's Hidden Treasures line tries on jerseys for a new football season with a lineup of past and present greats from the NFL as well as some new stars from the college ranks.

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He's one of the biggest names in the history of the game and he's one not commonly found on cardboard when it comes to autographs.

But Christy Mathewson's ink has been found in a $25,000 box of 2016 Topps Transcendent Collection baseball cards and the Hall of Famer's ink is definitely worthy of the record-setting pricey brand.

The asking price?

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What: 2016 TRISTAR Quest Discovery autographs
Arrives: May 25
Box basics: Five envelopes per box -- each with an autographed flat or memorabilia redemption inside (three boxes per case)

What's buzz-worthy: TRISTAR is creating this one solely for breakers, giving online collectors a shot at some of the biggest autographs possible in the sports world and beyond.

Keep reading for more.

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What: 2016 Leaf Pop Century Signed Photograph Edition
Arrives: Late June
Box basics: One autographed 8-by-10 photo per box (12 boxes per case)

What's buzz-worthy: Leaf's latest buyback product for pop culture arrives with certified autographed photos from the biggest names in Hollywood as well as big names from elsewhere.

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What: 2016 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures History of Baseball autographed photos
Arrives: May 18
Box basics: One autographed photo per pack (30 packs per case; two 15-pack displays)

What's buzz-worthy: TRISTAR's Hidden Treasures line of packaged memorabilia moves back to photos for its next release with a lineup that includes past greats and big names of today.

Keep reading for more about what's in this one.

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