Buzz Break: 2008 Donruss Americana II (25-pack retail lot)

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 lot: 2008 Donruss Americana II trading cards (25-pack retail lot)
Where to buy: Click here

Packs per lot: 25
Cards per pack: 5
Cards in this lot: 127
Base set completion: 
62 of 100 (62 percent)
Duplicates: 34
Triplicates: 17
Quadruplicates: 3

Notables on base cards – Jackie Chan, Willie Nelson, Jerry Lewis, Goldie Hawn, Quentin Tarantino, Peggy Fleming, Helen Slater, Regis Philbin, Natalie Raitano, Joyce DeWitt, Corey Feldman, Peter Mayhew, Kane Hodder, Martin Kove, Gary Coleman, Jane Russell, Brutus Beefcake, David Prowse, Stephen Toblowsky, Erik Estrada, Ed Asner, Julie Newmar, Martina Navratilova, Lee Meriweather, Mark Hamill, Willie Mays, Vicki Lawrence, George H.W. Bush, Jake LaMotta, Kathie Lee Gifford, Dan Fogler, Elijah Wood

Inserts: 10 (all in gallery below with notable base cards)
Short-prints on hobby stock (2) – Tony Todd, Denzel Whitaker
Short-prints retail stock (1) – Carole Lombard
TV Stars (2) – David Faustino, Autumn Reeser (/500)
Gold Proofs (1) – Evan Marriott (/250)
Silver Proofs (4) – Barbara Bush, Lisa Marie, Taryn Manning, Joyce DeWitt (/500)

Autographs/Memorabilia: 1
Ring Kings Signatures (1) – Keith Jardine (/500)

What's Buzz-worthy: Nearly every name you see in the gallery can be found with autograph and memorabilia cards in this landmark release for non-sports collectors which was hits-driven in a high-end hit-per-pack format at hobby but a more traditional release at retail. Retail cards here use standard stock, while hobby used foilboard -- a move where I actually like retail better. These lots are in stock at the link above but won't last long as even retail or blaster boxes of this one aren't the easiest finds these days. I ripped this one heavily at retail because of the surprise factor involved back when it arrived but sill couldn't resist grabbing one of these lots (and contemplated buying all that were showing in stock). There were a number of thick packs with decoys in this lot -- none had a mem card or mem-auto -- but the lot over-delivered parallels and other numbered inserts while also delivering ink. Not all lots will do this -- you're at the mercy of what was returned to retail distributors and made it into the mix -- but at basically $1 a pack it's a fun lot that, in theory, could over-deliver, too. About the only drawback here is the occasional damaged card since these packs bounced around a bit though the years, but they are otherwise fine. Some of the autos in this one can command some good money if you can buck the odds with some of the signers found here and not many other (if any) places.

Product Grade: A
Lot Grade: A (ink and more inserts than it should have included)
Fun Grade: B+

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