Buzz Break: 2013 Panini Golden Age sports cards (hobby 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: 2013 Panini Golden Age (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 24 (plus one box-topper pack)
Cards per pack: 6
Cards in this box: 148
Base set completion: 104 of 150 (69 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards: Tatum O'Neal, Bo Derek, Jackie Earle Haley, Grace Kelly, Bowie Kuhn, Seabiscuit, Abraham Lincoln, Knute Rockne, Lana Turner, Branch Rickey, Mario Andretti, Curly Neal, Pete Rose, Jim Rice, Elizabeth Montgomery, Joe Frazier, Henry Winkler, Donna Douglas, Stan Lee, Red Grange, Grantland Rice, Bigfoot, John Belushi, Darrell Waltrip, Evel Knievel, Mike Schmidt, Brooks Robinson, The Three Stooges, Yogi Berra, Jimmy Carter, Hack Wilson, Johnny Carson, Rocky Marciano, Sparky Anderson, Bob Denver, Bobby Hull, Mel Ott, Stan Musial, George Brett, Fred Biletnikoff, Tris Speaker, Dale Murphy

Inserts: 41 (all in gallery below with The Bad News Bears base cards)
Exhibits (1) – Carlton Fisk (box-topper)
Tip Top Bread Labels (1) – Curly Neal
Bread for Energy (2) – Thomas Hearns, Nancy Lopez
Headlines (2) – Stan Musial, 1972 Miami Dolphins
The Three Stooges (1) – Three Dumb Clucks
DeLong (2) – Bobby Jones, Mel Ott
Playing Cards (8) – Jerry Lewis, Elizabeth Montgomery, Carole Lombard, Rocky Marciano, Curly Neal, Secretariat, Bob Denver, Richard Petty
Nadja Caramels Mini (1) – John Belushi
Americans Caramel Mini Red (1) – Laffit Pincay Jr.
Carolina Brights Mini Purple (1) – Max Baer Jr.
Americans Caramel Mini Blue (13) – Max Baer Jr., Sugar Ray Leonard, Lyman Bostock, Molly Brown, Helen Wills, Alexander Graham Bell, Barry Switzer, Joe Frazier, Jean Harlow, Jimmy Carter, Henry Winkler, Red Grange, Johnny Bench
Carolina Brights Mini Green (8) – Max Baer Jr., Sugar Ray Leonard, Lyman Bostock, Bill Terry, Molly Brown, Helen Wills, Alexander Graham Bell, Barry Switzer

Autographs/Memorabilia: 3
Historic Signatures (2) – David Pollock, Fred Biletnikoff (redemption)
Museum Age memorabilia (1) – Dale Murphy

What’s Buzz-worthy: Panini America’s retro-styled Golden Age brand is one that’s been on the sidelines for the last few years, but this second release is, to this collector, the best of the three. The base set is loaded with “some of the nation’s greatest athletes, entertainers and newsmakers from the Golden Age of America” and it’s one that really showcases the retro possibilities in its inserts and autograph/memorabilia potential. There are minis and there are Exhibit box-toppers that couldn’t be more different and then there are nods to food-issue sets, historic moments and pop culture. The ink found here overall is pretty solid and the roster of inserts was fun. As for this box, it included an extra hit (extra autograph card ... yay) but one as a redemption (boo ... though it's still good), while the mini inserts delivered some good names. The hits aren't the biggest names but an extra auto at this price still gets it a solid grade.

Product Grade: A
Box Grade: A-
Fun Grade: A-

Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com. 

>> Click here to buy cards on BlowoutCards.com