Zion Williamson
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (Dec. 23)
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: A big Exquisite pull, freshly pulled gems, tips for selling at a show, Zion Williamson and more.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (Dec. 16)
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: Zion Williamson, NFL chatter, new breaks, the Chronicles WWE checklist, Carlos Rodon and more.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (Dec. 3)
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: Jacob deGrom heads to Texas, more MLB chatter, Zion Williamson, showing off Michael Jordan cards and more.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (Dec. 1)
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: Gaylord Perry, 2022 Topps Stadium Club, Aaron Rodgers, Zion Williamson, NFL Week 13 and new MLB breaks are popping.
Making the Grade (Dec.): A true rarity from a bargain box, mascot ink, Shotzi Blackheart, Beavis & Butt-Head, old mags, new stars, Michael Jordan, Paddy Pimblett's RC & plenty more
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 ... and it's one of my biggest groupings ever.
RARER THAN RARE ...
The Book: Batman No. 457 -- second-print newsstand edition
The Reason Graded: This one is why you grade. Why? Well this book is more than obscure ... it's obscure on top of obscure with a pop report that shows that in a couple ways. I had this sitting in a junk box of books -- comics bagged in bulk with others taped shut in between a couple boards -- since the late 1990s with it having absolutely no thought in my mind for that time. When I opened up the bag, though, I remembered its cool cover -- that's why I saved it -- and in the here and now it's an example of how the grading world has changed a lot of stuff. It wasn't popular back in the day and that makes it more valuable (potentially) now. What is it? It's a second printing of a newsstand copy for an issue that had the debut of a key character, Tim Drake as Robin. The regular edition of this book has been graded almost 1,400 times -- actually still a modest number for the era -- but a newsstand copy is something else. And a second-printed newsstand copy? Nobody wanted that. How many could have even been made and how many went unsold or were trashed? There's some mystery there as with a lot of things but the pop report talks.
The Grade: CGC 9.8 (Universal)Grade 7.0 7.5 8.0 8.5 9.0 9.2 9.4 9.6 9.8 9.9 10.0 Total Population 5 6 10 8 8 9 4 8 4 0 0 78 Reality Check: Just four copies of the 78 graded have checked in at my mark -- not bad considering I got this in some Sears catalog mystery box with like 25 comics for $10 back in the early 1990s. It wasn't a really impressive buy at all at that time -- a lot of stuff that just wasn't appealing or was later printings and I'm betting some of them were pitched or given away. Nobody wanted that then. But now? The numbers game and speculation has people on eBay sellers challenging the market. A 9.6 -- with twice as many copies as this one in existence -- has an eBay asking price of ... well just see it for yourself. It's not alone, either, as a 8.5 checks in with an asking of $3,800, an 8.0 checks in at $3,500 and a 6.5 is $1,499. Other versions (first print direct and newsstand) are cheaper along with direct second prints as they've all got far higher pop reports. People like the easier versions a lot -- eBay highs as much as $255 but not for this one -- and who knows where the other three 9.8s might even be? What might mine command? I'm not sure ... but I know this is pretty solid potential for something that was pocket change from years ago. Again, this is why you grade.
Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (Nov. 5)
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: A possible flaw in the eBay guarantee, Ray Guy, Zion Williamson, MLB & college football chatter and could the World Series end tonight?
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (Oct. 20)
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: Paolo Banchero's debut, Zion Williamson, great NBA names, MLB postseason chatter, an old Aaron Judge take and "liquidation time."
First Buzz: 2022 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures Auto Basketball SE
What: 2022 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures Autographed Basketballs Season Edition
Arrives: Nov. 23
Box basics: One autographed basketball per box (four boxes per case)
Order: Click hereWhat's buzz-worthy: TRISTAR's Hidden Treasures line takes to the court for a second time this year with some legendary ink to be found -- the biggest names in the game -- and plenty of other stars, too.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (Oct. 10)
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: MLB postseason chatter, a stats-filled NFL Sunday, new pulls and more on this Monday.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (Oct. 5)
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: Aaron Judge hits No. 62, collectors react to an ESPN story, Tom Brady, Zion Williamson, inside some Logofractor boxes and more.
Buzz Buys: Jaylen Waddle waddles, Saraya, Tua, pocket-change pickups, old mags, Phish's nod to Oscar Gamble & plenty more
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 ...
WADDLE, WADDLE, WADDLE ...
The Piece: Jaylen Waddle autographed 16-by-20 Waddle celebration photo (Fanatics Authentic)
The Price: $75 (on sale)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: I picked up this oversized auto on the cheap last week and before his big game with QB Tua Tagovailoa on Sunday as I liked the signature moment seen here and he's a school ties guy in my collection. (Last time here, I had this Tua piece lead off but I didn't even buy them at the same time.) His autograph isn't big -- and it's not that big on this oversized photo, either -- but I figured demand could be on the rise this year and, like I said, it was on sale (normally about $100 before they sold out). An inscribed "Fins Up" option also was/is available but I didn't need that as an Alabama fan. On cards, he has plenty to choose from -- more than 2,300 different autographed cards since just last year as part of the 2021 RC crop -- and a lot of them will cost more than this while many will not. I have an early Score auto with a strong college pic and added this in case they make a run, driving up prices to the point where I can't responsibly look.
Grab a box right here: Nothing for this ... but NFL boxes are here.Keep reading for more interesting items ...
Buzz Break: 2020-21 Panini Chronicles NBA (cereal box)
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: 2020-21 Panini Chronicles NBA basketball cards (cereal)
First Buzz preview: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for a few formats)
Keep reading for a breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.
First Buzz: 2021-22 Panini Select basketball cards
What: 2021-22 Panini Select basketball cards
Arrives: Sept. 23
Box basics: Three autos or memorabilia cards per 12-pack box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)What's buzz-worthy: Select once again hits the court with the same formula -- a tiered base set with plenty of parallels -- but a new rookie class and some other surprises from this colorful brand.
Keep reading for more info and a full gallery of images released so far.
First Buzz: 2022 Leaf Stitches & Slabs Basketball
What: 2022 Leaf Stitches & Slabs Basketball
Arrives: Oct. 28
Box basics: One autographed jersey and one buyback card per box (three boxes per case)
Order: Click hereWhat's buzz-worthy: A new line from Leaf combines buyback cards with autographed memorabilia all in one blind-box package -- this time with some of the biggest names in basketball history in play.
Keep reading for more.
Buzz Break: 2019-20 Panini Prizm Draft Picks (multi-pack)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and break down 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: 2019-20 Panini Prizm Draft Picks basketball cards (multi-pack)
First Buzz preview: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for a few formats)
Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.
First Buzz: 2022 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures auto NBA jerseys
What: 2022 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures Autographed Basketball Jerseys
Arrives: Sept. 9
Box basics: One autographed basketball jersey per box (five boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)What's buzz-worthy: TRISTAR's Hidden Treasures line hits the hardwood with some of the biggest stars in the history of the game involved as either standard jerseys or as the big chase.
First Buzz: 2021-22 Panini National Treasures NBA cards
What: 2021-22 Panini National Treasures basketball cards
Arrives: July 20
Box basics: Four autos, four mem cards, one printing plate and one base/parallel card per 10-card box (four boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)What's buzz-worthy: National Treasures returns with its familiar format but with a new crop of rookies and legends from the past all in one hits-heavy spot.
Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.
First Buzz: 2022 Break King Multi-sport Premium Edition
What: 2022 Break King Multi-sport Premium Edition
Arrives: June
Box basics: Two buybacks -- one graded -- per box (three boxes per case)
Order: Click hereWhat's buzz-worthy: Break King brings the slabs to every box with autographs, memorabilia, vintage and plenty more all in the mix for this multi-sport, star-stuffed release.
First Buzz: 2022 Leaf Autographed Jersey Multi-sport
What: 2022 Leaf Autographed Jersey Multi-sport
Arrives: Sept. 30
Box basics: One autographed custom jersey per box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click hereWhat's buzz-worthy: Leaf once again takes autographed memorabilia to all areas of the sports world once again with nothing but jerseys in this release.
Keep reading for more.
First Buzz: 2022 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures Auto Basketball
What: 2022 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures Autographed Basketballs
Arrives: May 11
Box basics: One autographed basketball per box (four boxes per case)
Order: Click hereWhat's buzz-worthy: TRISTAR's Hidden Treasures line takes to the court once again with some legendary ink to be found and plenty of other chases beyond just the legendary star power.
Million-dollar card break happens soon tonight in Las Vegas -- and Blowout Cards will be there to witness all of the action
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Update: The feed is live. Hit the button to view.
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What happens in Vegas won't stay in Vegas this time ... because Blowout Cards will be there.
A million-dollar break of 25 cases of 2020-21 Panini Flawless and Flawless FOTL basketball cards -- an event that's pretty much the most-valuable group-break ever -- will happen at 7 p.m. Eastern Thursday night in Las Vegas. This high-stakes break will be streamed via YouTube (right here and right here) and is sponsored by Goldin. It will be hosted by Layton Sports Cards and Blez Sports Cards. Blowout will be there as a case sponsor with action from the scene captured online -- and we'll also embed the video feeds right here on The Buzz.
Spots in the now sold-out break were $40,000 apiece and were filled via both Layton and filled via Blez. There will be 15 standard cases and 10 FOTL cases in the break.
Buzz Break: 2021-22 Donruss NBA cards (jumbo pack)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and break down 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: 2021-22 Donruss NBA cards (jumbo pack)
First Buzz preview: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for a few formats)
Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on Blowout Forums (Feb. 23)
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: Wander Franco, Zion Williamson, Wander Franco RCs, a look at a major collector, 2022 Topps breaks, big pulls and ... the Las Vegas Athletics?
Buzz Break: 2021-22 NBA Hoops basketball cards (blaster box)
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: 2021-22 NBA Hoops basketball cards (blaster box)
First Buzz preview & checklist: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of images in this one.
Buzz Buys: Some Los Angeles Rams flair, Roger Maris, big errors, Najee Harris, TV and WWE stars, vintage mags & more
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 it's a super-sized edition with buys from last year as well as some from recent weeks.
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THE RAMS & PRIME TIME
The Card: Joe Namath & Sam Bradford 2011 Panini Certified Fabric of the Game Combos Prime (/25)
The Price: $27.75
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This is one of only a few Joe Namath memorabilia cards from his career-capping 1977 season with the Los Angeles Rams -- and it's on the rarer side of things as a prime patch card along with another notable past QB for the team who people had tapped for Super Bowl stardom. I figured I'd have this one lead off this time as the Rams are in the Super Bowl on Sunday and, to me, this is a Super Bowl-caliber card on the cheaper side of things. It's a part of my school ties part of my stash ... Namath Rams jersey cards are always worth the look in my book.
Grab a box right here: 2011 Panini Certified NFLKeep reading for more interesting items ...