The fourth trading card set for one of the biggest sitcoms on TV today will include one of the biggest names from the past when it arrives later this month from Cryptozoic.

The Big Bang Theory is the show and Bob Newhart is the big name with more signers likely to be announced before the arrival of The Big Bang Theory Seasons 6-7 on April July 27.

Continue reading →

Politicians have appeared on cardboard since the earliest years of trading cards -- you know, in packs of cigarettes back in the 1800s -- and they've appeared in countless non-sports, war and even sports sets of the last 30-plus years as collecting emerged upon the national psyche and flourished as part of the pop culture landscape.

But the new Decision 2016 trading cards arriving this week include something that we haven't yet seen in a political release -- the chance at autographs and more advanced "hit" cards along with a healthy amount of traditional cardboard.

In the midst of one of the most-tumultous political seasons in years, this is a product that offers a promising start for a perhaps-expanding trading card genre of its own -- and the potential for something more.

It already appears to be a landmark release, but don't just take Buzz's word for it.

"The idea of a set that captures that drama of an election – that is compelling," said Rick Klein, who is ABC News' Political Director and also a long-time baseball card collector. "I feel like it’s something that could start as a novelty project but catch on. You’d be surprised by how many political junkies are also collectors. People love pins, hats, signs. I’ve seen autograph-seekers at obscure conferences for senators most people could never name."

Continue reading →

The clock is winding down on Topps' latest Garbage Pail Kids release -- a 20-sticker collection of spoofs for notable acts tied to this year's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

The set is dubbed the Rock & Roll Hall of Lame and the 10 pairs of stickers as well as a complete set are found only on Topps.com until the already filmed ceremony airs on HBO. At that time, they will no longer be available.

Continue reading →

Buzz will be out fishing for Trout the next few days but will be back up to speed next week after a cross-country expedition to hopefully land the big one on cardboard. (Something like that.)

Until then, check out these notable stories from the last few months that have been some of the most-read items on the site.  (After you check these out you can browse the categories at right or search through the archives for exactly what you're seeking.)

Panini Eminence basketball cards are upping ante on everything

Gallery & SP info: 2016 Topps Heritage baseball cards

Topps creates food-issue baseball set for Walmart Marketside pizzas (updated)

eBay Buzz: This Kobe Bryant 1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractor is how much?

First Buzz: 2016 Topps Triple Threads baseball cards

Continue reading →

The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are five threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Superfractors in blaster boxes, priceless cards, dream cards, big losses ... and Arnold.

Continue reading →

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 the second grading diary here on The Buzz ...

Continue reading →

The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are five threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Impressive pulls in cases, blasters and food-issue reactions.

Continue reading →

The art of a galaxy far, far away can now be found in a new book nearby.

Topps' Star Wars Galaxy trading cards have been reproduced in a 224-page book that arrived in stores this week.

Continue reading →

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: Panini Country Music trading cards (retail box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 24
Cards per pack: 8
Cards in this box: 192
Base set completion: 
100 of 100 (100 percent)
Duplicates: 45

Base cards of notables – Darius Rucker, Florida Georgia Line, LeAnn Rimes, Tracy Lawrence, Kimberly Perry, Sara Evans, Alabama, Big & Rich, Trick Pony, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Wynona Judd

Continue reading →

This year's presidential race is one that's gotten plenty of attention for arguably all the wrong reasons, but no matter which way you lean there's plenty of potential memorabilia if that's your type of thing. (Buzz isn't all that interested but knows some of you inevitably will be, so here we are.)

How?

On the candidates' official websites. That's where you'll find coloring books, ugly sweaters, barbecue gear, caps, shirts, and, of course, plenty of signs and buttons. You'll find koozies, calendars, all kinds of stuff ... and even water bottles. (Some sell anti-competitor items, too, but it might not be who you think taking that approach.) The costs are sometimes low -- but often not -- and, interestingly, only one of the five candidates, Ted Cruz, sells actual autographed items. (The poster above? That's $55, though there's no note of its size.)

Keep reading for a look at some of the odd, creative and readily available items found on official stores for Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and John Kasich.

Continue reading →

We're still a couple weeks away from the arrival of Decision 2016 trading cards -- a set for the fans of politics -- but there's one thing that's arrived to offer some clarity during this tumultuous season.

The final checklist.

Continue reading →

Topps is promising more political Garbage Pail Kids to come this year -- and it has the preliminary sketches to approve it.

Entertainment brand manager Mark Von Ohlen shared these sketches online Saturday before their arrival to come on Tuesday.

Continue reading →

When Topps' latest Doctor Who set arrives in May, it will include one of the biggest autograph lineups in the hobby for a single-franchise non-sports release and a number of first-time signers.

There will be 75 signers in all for 2016 Topps Doctor Who Timeless, including six past Doctors and stars who have made their marks elsewhere such as Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz). In all, there will be 40 first-time signers, according to the company.

“We are very proud of Timeless,” said brand manager Mark Von Ohlen. “We dedicated a lot of time and effort to make the kind of trading card set that Whovians everywhere will love. We have a huge list of autograph signers and a variety of costume pieces to collect. This is the set that any Doctor Who fan out there will want to collect.”

Continue reading →

Topps is bringing some star power to its next wave of Star Wars card sets, revealing one of the biggest autographs possible for the first generation of the film franchise on Friday.

Harrison Ford will be among the signers for Topps Star Wars: The Force Awakens Series 2 when it arrives on March 23. He's the biggest of nine signers revealed since the last time we checked in on the brands. (Update: Topps has released a few more notable names ... you can see them in our gallery.)

Continue reading →

You can find them in packs. You can find them as 5x7s. You can find them as posters. You can find them as 1/1s.

What are they? They're 2016 Topps MLB Wacky Packages and they arrived on Wednesday in all of those formats via the typical hobby channels or via Topps.com for larger sizes.

Rather than re-hash the details (which you can find on The Buzz with a search), here's a look at many of the pieces from the product.

Continue reading →

The newest Wacky Packages release from Topps is one that pokes fun at Major League Baseball while also bringing some new looks at its biggest stars.

You know, its mascots.

Beyond the 90 MLB-spoofing stickers in 2016 Topps MLB Wacky Packages (click here for our First Buzz preview from October), there are autographs from five notable mascots, five big-leaguers and a selection of Relics from two different areas of the game.

Continue reading →

Star Wars: The Force Awakens arrives on DVD on April 5 collectors will have to hit Walmart stores for bonus items with the DVD that can't be found anywhere else.

Continue reading →

The merchandising of "geek films" has been as massive as the box office the box office for sci-fi, comic and other franchises in the last decade and beyond and the latest in New Era Caps are perhaps a perfect example of the eternal dilemma.

Do you use them or collect them?

In the case of the Batman vs. Superman Character Armor 59FIFTY caps from New Era, they're unique and pricey, which might add to that debate even though they are hats with no packaging to worry about.

Continue reading →

If you're a movie or music fan, there's plenty to collect -- but you may not have seen items like the ones found in Garageland.

Take for instance the Star Warhol Series -- a lineup of prints that mesh the iconic worlds of Star Wars and Andy Warhol. The Campbell's Soup can is R2-D2 above, for example, while the pop artist's famed style is also seen in other pieces from the Los Angeles-based company founded by a street artist known as Xray back in 2010.

Movies aren't the only pieces to be found as there are also concert posters to be had, too.

Continue reading →

One of the more in-demand autographs in the galaxy is now available.

It's the ink of Star Wars: The Force Awakens star Daisy Ridley and it can be found via Steiner Sports.

The New Rochelle, N.Y.-based autograph memorabilia company offered nine signed photos on Monday night with prices starting at $649.99 for an 8-by-10 image.

Continue reading →

The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are five threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Player collections, Panini Americana, oldschool box breaks and classic wrestling debates.

Continue reading →

A series of nine Oscar-specific Garbage Pail Kids initially available for only 24 hours includes some of the biggest winners of the evening and some of the biggest personalities, too.

It's the 2016 Topps Garbage Pail Kids Notscars.

Continue reading →

Topps has a pair of upcoming non-sports sets in the works -- Star Wars: The Force Awakens Series 2 and Doctor Who Timeless -- and the company has been busy teasing upcoming signers for both releases.

So far, there have been five names announced for both sets. For the Star Wars set, there will be former Alias and Heroes star Greg Grunberg, BB-8 operator Brian Herring, Harriet Walter, Jessica Henwick and David Acord.

Continue reading →

The Academy Awards are set for Sunday and the top films and actors will come home with Oscars, but you shouldn't expect to be able to build a collection of the winners' certified autograph cards.

Why?

Because barely any of this year's top nominees have ever signed on for a certified (non-cut) autograph. And, in most instances, it's been years since those few who have signed have sat down to do the honors.

Continue reading →

The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are five threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Big breaks of 2015 Topps Definitive, a big TRISTAR vintage pull, new WWE breaks & plenty more.

Continue reading →