Panini America revealed on Thursday that it's looking toward blockchain ... next month.

They will be "the first officially licensed trading cards featuring blockchain technology," according to the company, and Panini Blockchain will showcase 100 notable players from the past and present into a release that will pair the technological to a physical card as well. They will arrive on Jan. 6 with a first wave of releases and each of the cards will be a 1/1 sold via Panini's site in U.S. funds only.

“We were very thorough and a number of factors were considered in selecting the players that will be released in our Panini trading cards that utilize blockchain technology,” said Mark Warsop, CEO of Panini America, in a prepared statement. “There is not a more iconic trading card than the rare 1909-11 Honus Wagner T206 baseball card. To be able to produce the first-ever Honus Wagner blockchain card, along with all of these other players utilizing blockchain technology and ensuring that these cards will now live forever in the digital realm, is truly an honor.”

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Panini America has a new team member.

Washington Wizards rookie Rui Hachimura has signed an exclusive autographed card and memorabilia deal with the company, according to an announcement reload on Wednesday.

“We’re truly honored to welcome Rui as the newest exclusive member of the Panini America family. He’s a unique part of the spectacular 2019 NBA Draft Class and a player whose international roots only strengthen the NBA’s reputation as a global game,” said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop. “Rui will be an integral part of our North American product and marketing efforts, but he’ll also help play a key role in our continued expansion internationally.”

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If you ever wanted a piece of one of Star Wars' most-dynamic ships, then you now have your chance.

Seriously.

Topps revealed its plans for Millennium Falcon Relics planned to arrive in two upcoming Star Wars card sets for the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Prop and wardrobe cards have not been extensively used in trading card sets for the film franchise, which has had trading cards since 1977.

So, what's the plan?

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Professional Sports Authenticator hit a milestone for Pokémon cards this month, proving that grading of gaming cards is a growing trend that isn't slowing down any time soon.

The one millionth Pokémon card graded was a Full Art Charizard GX from the 2019 Pokemon Sun & Moon Hidden Fates expansion set -- a PSA 10 copy -- and it's the latest big card among many graded since just 2016 when grading of this gaming franchise's cards exploded in popularity.

“The support shown by the Pokémon collecting community has been tremendous. The majority of the million cards were graded inside the last three years, which is quite remarkable,” Collectors Universe CEO Joe Orlando said in a prepared statement. “There is also a lesson to be learned here: Every generation defines what is nostalgic to them. Pokémon started its rise in the U.S. during the late 1990s. Today, the young people who were playing the classic game then are now well into adulthood. As a result, the game has enjoyed a kind of rebirth in the hobby. That fact coupled with the continued global popularity of the game enabled PSA to reach the million-card milestone.”

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There's a new player in the sports card landscape that you might already know pretty well depending on your taste in shoes.

StockX, a Detroit-based company founded in 2015, has perhaps been best known for helping collectors of in-demand basketball shoes like the Air Jordan 6 Travis Scott model you see here by being a platform for users to make and take offers in a few select categories.

But beginning this month there's a new addition to the company's lineup -- graded sports cards.

"Staying true to our mantra as the world’s first 'Stock Market of Things,' we are excited to announce trading cards as a brand new category for StockX," read a company statement. "We have been researching the trading-card space for a long time, and believe that our stock-market model will provide collectors and enthusiasts alike a superior e-commerce experience."

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Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto will be part of a Topps Now first coming today.

Topps has teased to its Platinum members that Soto will be part of the first booklet card for the popular and long-running series later today in advance of the World Series that begins on Tuesday night against the Houston Astros.

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The Panini NFL Player of The Day promotion is back for its 20th season on the field and in hobby shops -- and that means bonus cards and potentially even more for some collectors.

For one collector that will mean spending time with an NFL player but for many others there will be autographs and other stuff to be had.

“Not too many things in the NFL have been around as long as Tom Brady and, just like the legendary quarterback, our Player of the Day program has been incredibly successful,” said Jason Howarth, Panini VP of Marketing, in a prepared release. “In addition to the lucky collectors who have had a chance to spend a day with an NFL player, millions more have won prizes while hobby shops have sold more packs of Panini trading cards.”
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Get your motor running, head on out to your card shop.

Why? Next Friday is Panini National Racing Card Day.

Panini America revealed the plans for a new hobby bonus day today, and it coincides with the arrival of 2019 Panini Prizm NASCAR cards next week.

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Don't call it a comeback ... but it totally is one.

Panini America teased the return of Score hockey cards on Friday with the image above. What does it mean? Well, it means that there will be packs with at least two cards inside arriving sometime soon.

Want more details? We've added them ... keep reading.

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What makes a day at Blowout Cards - The Fantastic Store even better?

That's something that football fans, card collectors and other curious kids -- young and old -- can find out next Saturday (Sept. 28) when the Panini NFL Mobile Tour arrives for a four-hour visit at the shop beginning at noon.

Among the priorities for the event? Well besides free stuff and NFL giveaways, Panini America representatives will be on hand for demonstrations of its new 2019 NFL Five Trading Card Game, which brings the Rookie Card chase into the TCG realm as part of this new release. (Rookies are among the tougher finds in the game -- get more details here.)

Panini will have a limited number of demo decks for NFL Five on hand as part of this stop on the Tour with a number of additional dates planned to coincide with a number of NFL games this fall. There are also plans for more stops during key events next year, while several have already taken place this season.

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You may have seen the headlines, but here's the real scoop.

BlowoutCards.com was the buyer of the $107,010 PSA 10 grade Pokémon 1st Edition set sold via Goldin Auctions this weekend, a sale that generated headlines from around the world -- not just the collecting world -- as the power of Pokémon is well-known. (And it's not just the cherished Charizard card leading the way here, either.)

Among the national news sites writing about this one? Newsweek, CNBC, TMZ Sports, Kotaku, Geek.com and CNET.

BlowoutCards.com is aggressively buying past Pokémon booster boxes and sets -- send an email pokemon@blowoutcards.com if you're selling. Keep reading to see this landmark set in its entirety and for Goldin's take on why the set is (and it is) a key release for a generation of younger collectors.

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Update: Details have been added since this first published and you can find links to 2019-20 releases below.

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The biggest question of the year for NBA collectors has been answered.

Yes, Zion Williamson autographs will be found in packs of Panini America basketball cards, according to Sports Business Journal.

An official statement with more details from the company about its exclusive autograph deal with the NBA's No. 1 overall draft pick out of Duke University should arrive later today.

"We're on the cusp of witnessing one of the most historic NBA Draft classes of all time, and it's no secret that Zion is a driving force behind that fact. He's a transcendent talent and a must-have presence in all of our NBA and collegiate basketball products for this season and beyond," said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop in the prepared announcement. "We're thrilled to partner with Zion and his team to deliver exclusive trading cards and autograph trading cards to fans and collectors that will uniquely chronicle his landmark rookie season and for the start of his NBA career while adding incredible value to our entire product roster."

>>> Click here for all 2019-20 basketball releases 

>>> Click here for First Buzz NBA product preview with Zion's Rookie Cards inside

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The clock is ticking down and the cardboard is ready.

Saturday is Topps National Baseball Card Day and whether you're a regular at your local card shop or you're somebody who ripped into packs just for the gum decades ago, some free stuff can be yours at participating shops.

New this year with this one is a retail component -- keep reading for those details -- as part of the annual event that Topps hopes will draw people into collecting with some new stuff to add to their stash.

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The No. 2 pick in the NHL Draft has a new team.

Panini America revealed on Thursday that it has signed Finnish hockey star Kaapo Kakko to an exclusive autograph card deal. That means the new New York Rangers star will only have autographed Rookie Cards via Panini, which no longer holds an NHL card license after its deal there ended following the 2013-14 season.

“Kaapo Kakko is nothing less than an international hockey phenomenon and his arrival in the U.S. – and New York, no less — is one of the most exciting developments the sport has seen in years,” said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop in a prepared release. “He’s expected by many to drive the hockey trading card market this season and is poised to become the next great athlete in the sport of hockey, and we’re thrilled to have him as an exclusive member of the Panini America team. We’re looking forward to working closely with him to create exciting and creative trading cards for fans and collectors and having him be a part of a number of new initiatives in the trading card category.” Continue reading →

Want to sample some free supplies at The National?

Blowout Cards and Pro-Mold have you covered for a limited time on the Friday of the show.

The Vice President of Pro-Mold, Ed Neugebauer, will be handing out 500 magnetic card holders at the Blowout booth on Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Sports Collectors Digest is part of a new team.

The long-running hobby publication is among four groups of brands that are now the property of Active Interest Media, a company based in Boulder, Colo., founded in 2003.

“The addition of Writer’s Digest, Popular Woodworking, Horticulture, and the Collectibles Group significantly extends our footprint in passionate markets that fit Active Interest Media’s vision for future growth,” said President & CEO Andrew Clurman in a prepared announcement. “These groups bring a combined publishing history of more than 300 years and audiences that demonstrate incredible loyalty through their attendance at events, participation in online conversations, and high rates of membership and subscription renewal.”

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The speculation and big business that will be Zion Williamson basketball cards this season and in the future is already apparent -- but in a negative way -- over on eBay.

How do we know? The sales of fake cards. Yes, fake cards.

Fleer, Gatorade, McDonald's, DC Comics, Marvel Comics and even Rated Rookie (on an opposing company's design) trademarks can be seen on Williamson cards not made or authorized by their respective owners -- and there's no compensation being made to owners of intellectual property of the Duke Blue Devils the NBA or the New Orleans Pelicans for the use of their logos and other legally protected intellectual property.

The memorable designs of the past like the 1986-87 Fleer set above -- owned by Upper Deck -- are also being absconded (though many designs aren't generally trademarked) and other notable athletes such as Michael Jordan and LeBron James -- guys whose image rights are also in high-dollar demand -- also are having their likenesses used without authorization (in NBA uniforms) to make money selling fake cardboard that's all over eBay. (Jordan is exclusive to Upper Deck for card appearances and his ink is also an exclusive there just like it is for James.) Photographers also aren't being compensated for the use of their work like they would be when card companies pay them or their employers to use images. Then there are "graded" cards with autographs attached, cards with facsimile autos in slabs and many cards in sealed holders emulating card companies' uncirculated efforts.

Right now, there are nearly 1,300 different active eBay auctions for "Zion Williamson" in the basketball cards category -- meanwhile just two legitimately authorized cards exist right now. Expand that search to all items and there's plenty more to be found.

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PSA has added a new feature as part of its grading services that lets collectors verify cardboard on the company's website.

It's called SecureScan and it means that front and back scans of cards can be seen online, and it's now available to all PSA customers using five levels of service -- Super Express, Walk-Through, Premium, Premium Plus and Premium Elite.

“This is a significant step to help collectors with security measures as well as marketing opportunities for their collectibles,” said PSA President Steve Sloan in a prepared release. “People can now view images of the exact item we authenticated, graded and encapsulated right on our Cert Verification page. This is extremely useful for those collectors looking to verify the details of an item, including its certification number, before they purchase it.”

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A Duke star has signed with Panini America in advance of the NBA Draft.

All-American R.J. Barrett, who is projected to be among the top picks in next week's draft, has signed an exclusive card agreement revealed today. His first in-pack cards will arrive in 2019 Contenders Draft Picks and then in 2019-20 NBA Hoops in October. He will make his debut via Panini Instant after he is drafted.

“With an athlete like R.J. Barrett, we were determined to target an initial partnership with a group who recognizes how special he is,” said Robert Kinnard, Executive Director of Global Marketing for BDA Sports, in a prepared statement. “Panini is a giant in the trading card and memorabilia industry and it is satisfying to see their shared vision as evidenced by their commitment to the influence R.J.’s brand will have on the marketplace.”

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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 Today: PSA addresses card-trimming allegations, big NBA and MLB pulls, the end of a player collection, The National and more.

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Fanatics' continued growth in the sports memorabilia market has a new chapter.

The Jacksonville, Fla-based company has acquired the assets of Steiner Sports, according to a tweet via veteran sports business reporter Darren Rovell. 

Steiner's deals include game-used memorabilia for the New York Yankees, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knocks, New York Rangers and Madison Square Garden.

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One of the possible top picks in this year's NBA Draft has a new team already.

He's former Murray State star Ja Morant and he's signed an exclusive autograph card and memorabilia deal with Panini America. He's perhaps going to be a top-five pick next month and his first autographed items will be available via Panini Authentic after the draft.

“I’m very excited to join the Panini America family as an exclusive member of the team along with some of the greatest names in the game,” Morant said in a prepared release. “I dreamed of having my own trading card to share with family, friends and fans, and Panini America is helping make that dream come true. I’m appreciative of that and look forward to a long relationship.”

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It looks like Topps is getting back into the basketball card market.

The former NBA card licensee last produced a basketball set early in the 2009-10 card season before the league opted for Panini America as an exclusive card-maker. But a new image floating around social media channels -- one from a likely first-round draft pick -- indicate there's more cardboard to come.

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To collect 'em all, you'll need some cereal.

Topps' Garbage Pail Kids are coming to FYE stores with a little more than just stickers involved. In fact, it's the stickers that are the insert in new Garbage Pail Kids Cereal revealed on Monday.

A mix of "crazy crisps and marshmallow barf bits" make up this one with two of four stickers included in every box. And cereal isn't the only option as an energy drink and chocolate bars are also on the way with GPK branding.

“As long-time Garbage Pail Kids fans, we are excited to be bringing this pop-culture classic to our customers in new and innovative ways,” says Jodie Evans, FYE’s SVP of Entertainment Merchandising and Marketing. “To further the interactive experience, we’ll be hosting [GPK artist Joe Simko] at a variety of live events to autograph cereal boxes, provide GPK sketches and engage with fans.”

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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 Today: Nothing but baseball today -- everything from "alteration vs. conservation," Shohei Ohtani's return, Vladdy 2.0, Cody Bellinger and more.

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