Buzz Buys: An oddity-laced collection of unusual pick-ups

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 an oddball edition of stuff I've picked up throughout the last year.

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BERNIE BATTING LEAD-OFF
The Card: Bernie Brewer 2018 Topps Opening Day Mascot Relics
The Price: $8
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This one isn't all that unusual if you know Opening Day's inclusions through the years, but Mascot Relics are still odd in the big picture and mostly only found in this brand that gets a "for the kids" label slapped on it often when it's really one that's "for the collectors." So, what's the catch? Stuff like this has odds so long that you don't see them pop up unless you're ripping in bulk. How rare? This one was close to one in 5,000 packs. There are mascot auto Relics in there, too, at close to one in 94,000 packs. Only seven mascots had these cards in this particular set and I'd argue that this guy might be among the better ones.
Grab a box right here: 2018 Topps Opening Day MLB

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

MEMORABLE PHOTOS
The Card: Wade Boggs 2010 Topps Tales of the Game
The Price: Under $1
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: A classic photo shouldn't be considered oddball (I'm starting off with the safe ones this time) but this insert set celebrated some of the oddities from all aspects of the game and its players. This card uses a memorable photo to note how "Chicken Man" had a superstition where he ate chicken before every single game and sums up things simply: "Boggs' five AL batting championships suggest the poultry was plenty potent."
Grab a box right here: 2010 Topps Series 1 MLB 

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WELCOME TO THE SHOW?
The Books: The Walking Dead No. 1 Wizard World NYC Sketch Edition/Show Edition issues
The Price: $2.50 each (after discounts)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: I found this group of books with covers from legendary artist Neal Adams via the Wizard World Vault where a lot of the show's past pieces (signed photos, exclusive books and even signers' booth banners) are up for grabs as the company works through the adjustments of a virtual convention world. These were discounted for holiday sales and then they offered extra social/sign-up discounts atop that, so I grabbed a signed photo and threw these in, too. Why? Well, sales on the sketch version were pretty strong on a quick eBay search (basically pays for all my books and my signed photo) and I figured being a show-only release (for both) they might make for safe stashes. The comic series is popular, though they did exclusives for tons of shows (all different). 
Grab a box right here: Walking Dead trading card boxes

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AMERICAN HISTORY 
The Card: Erin Brockovich 2009 Topps Heritage American Heroes Edition American Heroes Relics
The Price: Under $1
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This Relic is from one of a couple of U.S. history-focused non-sports sets made by Topps around time of the election of Barack Obama that used the Heritage name in a different way. There are tons of cards for presidents and other figures in history but newer nods -- and autos and memorabilia -- were always draws for me with brands like this. It was 21 years ago this year that Julia Roberts brought Brockovich's story to the big screen -- she fought the Pacific Gas and Electric Company over groundwater contamination problems and won a $333 million settlement for those who were victims. (The movie made $257.3 million world-wide, by the way.) There are a lot of odd inclusions in those American Heritage sets and they are long gone -- with some stiff prices for boxes when you do find them. I'd love to see Topps try more stuff from this realm and make some more cardboard firsts. Brockovich's only card appearances are in this release -- a base card, a Chrome, a Refractor, a Relic and an autograph.
Grab a box right here: No boxes for this one ... but non-sports cards are here.

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STUNTMAN MIKE & ALL HIS FRIENDS
The Lobby Cards: Death Proof German lobby card set (12) with one signed and inscribed by Rose McGowan (signed at DragonCon/stickered by Celebrity Authentics)
The Price: Under $100 
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This Quentin Tarantino movie can be a squirmer in spots and that's the point as he and Robert Rodriguez teamed up to re-create the low-budget exploitation theater experience with Grindhouse back in 2007. Collecting movie materials (easier-to-store lobby cards and press kits, at least) are something I dabble with and this one was on my radar for a while to find something. It turns out that this lobby card set is mostly oversized -- the small ones are 8-by-12 and the bigs are 12-by-16 -- but they are colorful and bold without the foreign language aspects being too prominent. (Some cards will have the film's name in a different language, which makes them less appealing to me.) While I would have grabbed this set no matter what if the price was right, I did have to pony up a bit more when I found this one last year. Why? the first one is signed by McGowan and inscribed with her line from the scene that's shown. That's where Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) explains the features of his stuntman car to her. What's the story here? Well, Mike's a serial-killer and his weapon is his car ... and two groups of friends find out what that's all about. It's a crazy classic if you ask me -- and you might recognize a few others from his cast who have been in other roles and have other card appearances, too. This one still felt like a decent deal -- or even better -- as the show authenticator charges about $150 for her signed pieces. 
Grab a box right here: No boxes for this one ... but non-sports cards are here.

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SOME CLAY FROM THE COURT
The Card: Ilana Kloss 2008 Ace Authentic Matchpoint French Open Memorabilia
The Price: Around $1
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: I couldn't tell you much about this player -- I simply grabbed this one so I could add to my stash of odd memorabilia cards. Embedded in this one is some clay from the French Open court -- I definitely don't have anything like that in my collection. Meanwhile, when I checked her name it turns out she's the partner of Hall of Famer Billie Jean King and they are part of the ownership teams for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angel City FC, a pro soccer team coming soon. (Hey, I learned something today. Did you?)
Grab a box right here: None for this one ... but tennis boxes can be found here.

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WHAT'S THIS ONE WORTH?
The Card: Mickey Mantle 1983-91 Topps Gallery of Champions Bronze
The Price: About $6
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: Mickey Mantle's 1952 Topps card might be the all-time record-holder as a $5M-plus PSA 9, but my copy? Well, it's made of bronze and it's never been touched as it's still in its factory-sealed pack. What the heck is this? Well, in the 1980s and into the early 1990s, Topps allowed some of its cards to be replicated as small metal pieces -- commonly aluminum for the cheapest versions and then some in other metals. Some were sold in sets as Gallery of Champions collections (for league leaders) while others were standalone novelties. The cool part on these is that they are roughly half the size of a standard card but they are about an eighth of an inch thick with every detail on the front and back to be seen ... and felt. I won't own a real one but this one is pretty sweet for less than $6 if you ask me.
Grab a box right here: No boxes for this one ... but MLB boxes are here.

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AN OLDIE FOR GOLDIE
The Card: Goldie Hawn 1968 Topps Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
The Price: About $2.50
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: There's a whole world of non-sports cards out there that many of us never see -- particularly pre-1980s American stuff and then a boatload of European releases through the years. This one is from an American set from early in her career when she was part of the sketch comedy show and it comes long before other cards for her that I know of. (There's likely something in between.) This veteran star -- and mom of Kate Hudson for those who might be younger in their pop culture consumption -- has a number of autograph and memorabilia cards from Americana releases made about 40 years after this one. Is this a "Rookie Card" ... maybe. (She has a few appearances in this set, by the way.) I'm not even sure how I happened upon this one but I thought it was interesting ... plus she knows that Stuntman Mike guy I mentioned earlier.
Grab a box right here: No boxes for this one ... but non-sports cards are here.

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AN ODDITY I MISSED?
The Set: 1994 American Archives Origins of Baseball set (100 cards)
The Price: $10
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: Most stuff from back in the early/mid 199os I'm familiar with even if I never bought any of it but when I found this among the stash of a closing comic book store, well, the oddity got me to bite. I'd never seen it before. It's a set that tells the story of pro baseball in the early years -- note the range on the box -- and it's loaded with notables like Abner Doubleday, Alexander Cartwright, Henry Chadwick, Al Spalding, Pud Galvin, Old Hoss Radbourn, Cap Anson and King Kelly (who is on the box). There are also appearances from Abraham Lincoln, Connie Mack and a number of memorable teams from the past. I haven't opened this set yet -- and might not -- but I have to ask ... anybody ever seen these or them in volume? They don't seem all that plentiful.
Grab a box right here: No boxes for this one ... but MLB boxes are here.

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DEFINITELY AN ODD BUY
The Card: Kayo Noumi 2003 BBM Joshi True Heart Match-used knee-pad card (/100)
The Price: $15
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This was one of a couple of cards I picked up sometime last year when the wax options were lean and the "explore the hobby" juices were flowing. I happened upon a dealer who deals exclusively in Japanese wrestling cards exclusively on the women's side and picked up this one since, well, I'd never seen a memorabilia card like it ... a knee-pad card. Kayo Noumi apparently last wrestled back in 2005 but this pick-up was all about the type.
Grab a box right here: No boxes for this one ... but WWE boxes are here.

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YEAH, BABY, YEAH ... WAIT, WHAT?
The Card: Jerry Springer 1999 Austin Powers Collectible Card Game
The Price: About $1
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This is a weird one -- a game card set for Austin Powers that had a card for this TV host's cameo? Apparently. Springer actually does have a few card appearances from the past, most notably a couple of promo cards for a set that never actually got made. From the looks of things, this gaming set included a number of stars from the first two movies that are classics. They are apparently dirt cheap in both box and booster form ... I may break one just to see the rest of what's in there ... or I may dabble with some of the standard cards. I probably overpaid for this one based on the looks of things.
Grab a box right here: No boxes for this one ... but non-sports cards are here.

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IT'S MRS. SHAWN MICHAELS!
The Card: Whisper 1998 Topps WCW/nWo -- Rookie Card
The Price: Under $1
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: Remember WCW? It's better if you don't in many instances, but there are some notable cards from the past from Topps before the wrestling company was bought by WWE. This one isn't some big card it's merely a piece of trivia as this former Nitro Girls performer is married to WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels. She doesn't appear on nearly as many cards as he does and technically this is her Rookie Card as she only has this, a Panini Sticker and an autographed card from that year. Her only other stuff that I'm aware of is from the following year. You can fit pretty much everything she has for standard cards into one page and have room for some Heartbreak Kid cards in there, too.
Grab a box right here: No boxes for this one ... but WWE boxes are here.

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OLDSCHOOL SPORTS FOR POCKET CHANGE
The Card: Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn -- 1910 Murad Cigarettes College Series (T51)
The Price: Under $1
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This card isn't all there all these years later, but that wasn't a big deal for the price. Murad cards are interesting in both the obscure scenes and schools that these oldschool cards showcase. Some can be really interesting and really sporty -- and those can be pricey -- while others like this simply aren't. Like the non-sports realm, there are all kinds of tobacco cards with unusual and interesting things you don't see everyday. Murad was revisited for a Topps NBA set toward the end of its run with that license but Murad stuff hasn't really been revisited for the modern masses otherwise. That might also be a reason I look at these from time to time.
Grab a box right here: None for this one ... but tennis boxes can be found here.

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RELATIVELY RARE FOR PRO SET
The Cards: 1991 Pro Set SuperStars MusiCards promo pack 
The Price: $7
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: Look closely at the logo in the upper left -- the script yellow letters indicate these are among the rarer un-numbered promo cards for this release. (Regular cards have a more standard font.) This simple pack includes a portion of the promo set that (I think) went to dealers instead of the promos mailed to collectors that had a completely different design. This pack also included Led Zeppelin and a couple other cards but not actually the one or two in the set I was looking for ... so I didn't even photograph them back when I landed opened this. It happens ... I'm sure I was chasing something clean to slab. These aren't the easiest to find, but they can be found ... and I'm a sucker for certain cards from this set in high-grade slabs.
Grab a box right here: No boxes for this one ... but non-sports cards are here.

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WHOOPS!
The Card: Rudi Johnson "Shaun Alexander" 2007 Donruss Classics (wrong name on front)
The Price: $1
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This misprint is a simple one -- if you look closely you'll see it's got the wrong foil-stamped name on the front and, ironically, this Auburn guy's card has the name of an Alabama guy. Meanwhile, somehow, I also managed to find the correlating misprint, too, that I think I dropped in here long, long ago. (This one has been sitting in the "maybe" Buzz Buys pile for a while now.) Together, I think the two cards are more interesting than a simple misprint but player collectors out there might pony up for stuff for their player, school or team.
Grab a box right here: No boxes for this one ... but NFL boxes are here.

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EARLY ALL ELITE PERFORMERS
The Cards: Riho & Shoko Nakajima 2013 & 2015 BBM True Heart Japanese wrestling cards
The Price: About $5 total
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: Both of these stars were in the mix in the early part of WWE's new competitor, AEW, and the curiosity about who might end up having an entertaining run had me dabbling with some international wrestling cards. Riho ended up with the women's title for a decent amount of time -- about four months -- and is still in the mix.
Grab a box right here: No boxes for this one ... but WWE boxes are here.

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OLDER THAN THE STATE
The Card: Wyoming 1889 Arbuckle Bros. Coffee U.S. States and Territories Map (K4)
The Price: About $7
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This little piece of history isn't in great shape -- its back has seen better days -- but I picked this up as an oddball gift for somebody who appreciated it and figured I'd present it as another classic example of so much of the oddball stuff that can be found ... if you think to search for it. This postcard-size piece is actually older than the state is ... Wyoming didn't become a state until 1890.
Grab a box right here: No boxes for this one ... but non-sports cards are here.

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A PROMO CARD FOR AN ODDBALL SET
The Card: Lou Gehrig 1993 Legendary Foils Baseball Legends Promo
The Price: About $1.50
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: I'm admittedly not all that familiar with this over-sized embossed set of baseball legends, but what I thought was interesting here was that it was a promo card for such a weird release. That's how they rolled back in the day -- even the weird ones had promo sets. It doesn't look like the regular series took off as there are only about a dozen cards, but the promos have a few stiles and they even exist for other sports. This one was far cheaper than others so I grabbed it just to see what the deal was with these.
Grab a box right here: No boxes for this one ... but MLB boxes are here.

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JUST DROPPED IN ... TO SEE WHAT CONDITION MY CARD-ADDITION IS IN
The Card: Kenny Rogers & The First Edition 1972 Hitmakers 
The Price: About $5
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: Kenny Rogers' death last year got me curious about what cardboard appearances he had and this larger-size card grabbed my attention since it's a bit older and just seemed more interesting than his other stuff. The same applies to his music as country ain't my thing (and neither is his stuff from this band in general) but one of their songs is on the soundtrack to The Big Lebowski, which is legendary. The surprise of learning that song was Rogers' registered here when I saw this card -- this was that band I thought to myself. One thing I just recently learned, though? The drummer (middle left) is Mickey Jones who went on to be an actor and had roles in Home Improvement, Total Recall, Sling Blade, National Lampoon's Vacation, Justified, Entourage, Flo and Tin Cup to name a few. (I think I instantly remembered him from Tin Cup.) This set has a small checklist but a pretty good mix of genres.
Grab a box right here: No boxes for this one ... but non-sports cards are here.

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MAKING THE CARDBOARD
The Card: Ryan "Mad Dog" Mattos 2013 Bowman NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Autographs (/100)
The Price: Under $3
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This name may not be a familiar one but you likely own some of his work. Back when this one was made, Mattos was on the Topps squad as an editor on its football team helping make it all happen. These days, he's switched leagues and now works for MLB last I saw. This one came from a college All-Star event where players signed their cards -- about 90 signers in this one -- with Mattos at the end of the checklist. With a sig like that, this one has to qualify as an oddity ... right?
Grab a box right here: No boxes for this one ... but NFL boxes are here.

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