Making the Grade (Sept.): Elvis, Shotzi, Judge, Broadway Joe, Tua, Tiffy Time, Topanga, an X-Men first, Penny & plenty more

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 this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ...

KING OF THE RING?
The Card: Elvis Presley in Kid Galahad -- 2022 Topps Elvis Presley: The King of Rock and Roll Pink parallel (/45)
The Reason Graded: I think I only bought one card from what was a Topps Now-style weekly look back at the career of The King from just a couple years ago -- and it was because of the boxing twist you see on this card. Couldn't tell you a thing about the movie and actually don't own a single Elvis CD -- much more Beatles here -- but the visual was unique to me so I grabbed, I believe, a five-pack of this card (likely in a past Buzz Buys) and landed this parallel as a bonus. It had been in my maybe-grade pile for a long time and as part of a variety-packed submission it finally made the cut. Why? How many other Elvis boxing cards do you know of? (I know of one ... this card's photo knocks it out cold.)
The Grade: CGC 10 (pristine)

Reality Check: There's only one other card in this parallel set graded to go with this solo slab -- a regular 10 -- but that doesn't surprise me that much. I don't think this would be that popular with collectors who might grade, but Presley is popular enough to have a ton of card appearances in his prime years and a number of posthumous releases as a giant and an icon of music ... and merchandise licensing, too. I figured I'd mix things up here this month and lead off with something different vs. some new football slabs as we enter that season or the obvious hot MLB names. (There's more NFL to come for both this time and in the coming months for sure.)

Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.

CHASING HISTORY ... AGAIN
The Card: Aaron Judge 2017 Bowman Rookie Of The Year Favorites -- rookie-year insert
The Reason Graded: Apologies for the shipping dust still seen on this one -- this was a recently returned card added to this month's lineup at the last second because, well, Judge is at it again with a boatload of homers. Rather than sub my only auto I have left for him -- I've pulled two, got rid of one -- I instead subbed a trio of rookie-year cards that I liked from what I had left. (What I have left isn't that much, actually, as I got rid of a lot of them back in 2017, turning them into Clerks autographs as that one is more core to my pop culture tastes and collections than a star in pinstripes ... though I have plenty.) Why this one? I like the combo of the script-style type up top (though it looked better on other cards, Judge covers it a little heavily here) and then, in this case, the pinstripes of sorts that are part of the design for everybody but are perfect for a Yankee.
The Grade: CGC 10

Reality Check: I was happy to see that mark as you never know with Chrome stock (particularly the backs) but this looked generally pretty solid on a quick scan -- and it came back stronger than one of my other cards that you'll see here next month. Will he have a new American League and Yankees home run record by then? It seems quite possible ... I really should have slabbed more for him this year. I'll revisit all my stuff -- once I figure out where I put it -- and perhaps grade more at some point once the season is over.

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THE TRIBAL CHIEF
The Card: Roman Reigns 2021 Topps Chrome WWE Slam Attax Orange Autographs (/25)
The Reason Graded: I pulled this from a pack while he was in the midst of his modern record-book caliber run as the champ and since it's a smidge cleaner (Maybe even an early?) auto vs. a lot of his stuff I knew it would end up in slab. That wasn't just because he's a big deal -- it was also because this rarer card is from one of the cleanest Chrome creations I have ever seen for the stock and the printing/cutting. I've landed a few Reigns autos over the years but this might be the best -- I acknowledge that -- and now that he's back in the picture for a fall run into Mania next year his stuff should command attention once again.
The Grade: CGC 10

Reality Check: He's The One on the pop report, too. There are others I would have wanted to pull but he's perhaps the biggest auto in there.

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JIM LEE'S X-MEN ARRIVAL
The Comic: Uncanny X-Men No. 248 (newsstand edition) -- first Jim Lee art for this series
The Reason Graded: This was a key issue that, believe it or not, I found in one of those cheap retail repacks where they'd shrink-wrap a few books together on some cardboard to just clear out old stock for just a couple bucks ... and, ironically, it wasn't long after I found this that the issue was reprinted with that background in gold ink. Why? In the early Image years this first artwork for this iconic series from now-legendary artist Jim Lee was in big demand. Another plus here? That UPC code ... as you know if you're a regular reader, newsstand copies in elite grades can get a bit crazy price-wise in some cases. This one had a minor wrinkling spot on the cover thanks to the repack shrink-wrap, so it needed a pressing and I did that ... because I knew this one had potential.
The Grade: CGC 9.8 (Universal)

Reality Check: I wasn't expecting a 9.8 here but I'll gladly take it -- I knew it would be a strong grade. Direct 9.8s (no UPC) have sold on eBay recently for as much as $125 a pop and somebody paid that same price for a newsstand 9.6. How many newsstand 9.8s might there be among the 445 that exist? I'm betting not that many ...

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BROADWAY JOE!
The Mag: Joe Namath, Sports Illustrated July 19, 1965 -- first cover (subscription edition)
The Reason Bought: I've picked up a few of these graded in the last couple years and even more ungraded -- but they will be -- and when I spotted this higher-grade copy I had to bite and it now lives in my collection with a couple of the lowest-grade samples. Why? I've written about it before but I think this is the 1952 Mantle of SI issues -- an icon. Of the 14 graded, seven check in lower than what's seen on the chart with 4.5 being the floor. Don't let my wonky photo here fool you (I was having issues with glare and shot this one with a flash in a darker room so it definitely looks off), this is a pretty solid copy other than some spine and outer-edge spots. On vintage stuff like this, it doesn't hurt as much perception-wise. Plus, with magazines feel comes into play for appeal more than readily available and heavily graded cards ... there just aren't that many around so you take it or you leave it.
The Grade: CGC 8.0 (Universal)

Reality Check: Over on the label-free newsstand copy side, there are only 21 graded ... and the best is an 8.5. Most there check in between 5.5 and 8.0, so I feel good about this issue even more considering it was landed on the cheap. I know a lot of people don't want the label -- I'd prefer them without, too -- but with few newsstand copies even topping this one (they got handled less since not mailed) I think an eight is great. You'll see more of this issue in the coming months right here ... I guarantee it.

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GOLDEN GREEN
The Card: Shotzi Blackheart 2022 Panini Chronicles WWE Flux Gold Autographs (/10)
The Reason Bought: This set is one of the slightly tougher finds in Chronicles -- or at least not among easy ones -- and this Gold parallel presented itself with a price I simply could not pass up, especially for an already-graded 10. Why? Well, I like the composition of the design here -- front and back -- and the non-traditional color scheme that's used. Beyond that, Shotzi is perhaps my No 1 collecting target right now since she's out hurt and, in turn, now a little cheaper. I don't like Flux as much for every card in a set (like in the NBA) but as a chaser auto set I totally do. I landed a GradedGuard case from the seller for free -- which you can see here -- and that's the proper color for WWE's Tank Girl so I left it on. I generally just baggie my slabs, but I like the added depth that these cases add to the feel of the cards when in-hand. Picking up a few more of them for a select number of key cards in my stash is probably on my radar now, too.
The Grade: CSG 10

Reality Check: With only 10 made, this isn't a surprise as a lone grade. I'm fine with that as this is a personal collection card no matter what.

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IT'S TIFFY TIME!
The Card: Tiffany Stratton 2022 Panini Chronicles WWE Certified Blue (/99) -- Rookie Card parallel
The Reason Graded: Stratton's arrival on the main WWE roster is one I have probably mentioned too many times -- check The Buzz Archives -- but I saw it coming and had been picking off stuff here and there since her cardboard arrival. A recent sub included a few of her Rookie Cards and parallels and this one was in that mix as the blue here really pops in coordination with her original blue ring gear. It made this an easy grading sub, though this release can be a risky one for grading at times -- watch those back surfaces for sure, especially if you opened retail.
The Grade: CGC 10

Reality Check: Both copies graded checked in high here and I dig that. This surprised me a bit since foilboard can always offer up grading challenges but I was happy with this return. (Keep that in mind for some stuff to come.)

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A SHOCKER ...
The Card: Tua Tagovailoa 2023 Panini Luminance Gold (/250)
The Reason Graded: I definitely talked this one up in a past Buzz Buys -- great photo and a set that's super clean for traditional cardboard stock with a foilboard twist -- but this grade was a big-time bummer. It's got a flawless front if you ask me -- razor-sharp corners and clean edges -- and the surface didn't show me anything, either. This grade? It baffled me ... it got me riled up to a degree. Not Nick Saban angry ... but maybe Retired Saban angry.
The Grade: CGC 8.5

Reality Check: I looked and I looked when I got it back in hand and then I finally spotted the potential culprit for a sizable drop here ... there's a surface dent along the top edge like this one had a small piece of scrap cardboard land between it and the card sheet below it ... enough to leave a small rectangular dent near the top edge when it was all stacked. The back is a lighter color so flaws like that could blend in if you don't check closely. At the same time, I'll admit I was probably so sold on that flawless front I probably didn't look that hard on the back. It's not a Rookie Card but I dig this card -- so much so I'll look for an upgrade at some point. Maybe I'll chase a different color among all those parallel options.

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THE ARRIVAL
The Card: Cassius Clay Jr. 2021 Topps Muhammad Ali The People's Champ (announced /4,043)
The Reason Bought: I found this already slabbed during a dive of Ali cards -- not the cheapest find but less than the traditional blaster price -- and I grabbed it since other copies were a lot pricier. Why? Ultimately this card was the one I'd been eyeing the most for this travel through time for the sports icon's career. It just struck me as one of the more-unique combos of photo and design in the set.
The Grade: PSA 9

Reality Check: I probably overpaid a bit here when most slabs check in higher -- though all those 10s can all still have steeper asking prices despite being more-common finds -- but I grabbed it and I'll probably not grab any others unless something strikes me as interesting. (I do have one other card from this set put aside for possible grading but it's not a high-priority item.)

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A REALLY CLEAN BUMMER ... BUT I STILL DIG IT
The Card: Roger Maris 2005 Playoff Absolute Memorabilia Tools Of The Trade Single Jumbo Jersey (/199)
The Reason Graded: This one presented itself raw over on COMC and with their direct-submission option I bit to add a nice card in slab, fully knowing that grading and memorabilia cards are not always safe. Why? They get handled more when being manufactured and adding the components can always present challenges. I have amassed a number of Maris cards from this release -- I'm a big fan of the set in general and then his Kansas City A's status as seen here -- so adding a jumbo in a slab was something I wanted to do.
The Grade: CGC 7

Reality Check: I would have preferred something 8 or higher for a mem card but I didn't see anything on-screen -- nothing at all -- that would have scared me off of slabbing here. When I got it back in-hand even then this one looks remarkably sharp and clean other than some small funk (light wrinkling) around the window for the memorabilia. That probably got me.

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WANTED THIS SLABBED FOR YEARS
The Card: Condemned To The Phantom Zone -- 1978 Topps Superman
The Reason Bought: General Zod, Ursa and Non first presented themselves to me on this card years ago and ever since then I knew that I wanted one in a slab because, well, this Phantom Zone joke doesn't even have to write itself ... just look at it.
The Grade: PSA 7

Reality Check: I had a relatively clean copy from a set I landed long, long ago but I knew a print spot and some centering funk wouldn't make for an elite-graded copy. On occasion, I'd search singles listings online but never found one that was clean/cheap enough for my taste ... and then I even looked at rack packs to see if anything presented itself (a pack with it showing or a pack lot) but, nah, nothing. But, I did spot this graded bad boy and checked the pop report before it was forever sentenced to my collection. On older sets, centering can be a killer and then with all that color printing spots can be, too. For a seven this looks really nice.

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TOPANGA NOW!
The Card: Danielle Fishel 2023 Topps Now MLB (announced /4,993)
The Reason Graded: I was online and at my computer Buzzing away the day when this was a surprise drop from Now last year, so I missed out on a modestly priced autographed version that I totally would have grabbed. Instead, I grabbed a small bulk lot with an eye on grading the cleanest copy of the bunch once they arrived and here we are with a slabbed copy of the only Topanga Now card that exists for her (along with its parallels). I didn't land any of those, either. Why did I buy? I like officially licensed non-traditional cards. In times when plenty of cards are made, unique cards will still stand out.
The Grade: CGC 10 (pristine)

Reality Check: No ink, no parallels, but ... a perfect copy? I landed that. The low volume here surprised me a little -- I figured maybe 10x that -- but then I checked over on PSA's pop report and that gave me some perspective. There have been 124 graded there and 110 of those checked in at a 10. I don't think there should be any premium prices when everything's a 10.

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TOUGH TO 10
The Card: Lady Deathstrike (aka Kelly Hu) 2003 Topps X2: X-Men United X2 Movie Memorabilia
The Reason Graded: Sometimes cards simply jump out at me and scream "grade me!" once I stop and take a look. Like I mentioned with the Maris card, grading memorabilia cards can be risky but this one really spoke -- front and back -- with its dark colors looking absolutely flawless. Inside this card is a piece of suit fabric that's the same as what was worn by Kelly Hu, if not worn by her, during filming. (Topps Relics for non-sports in the era are ambiguous in that way so it's said that way here, too.)
The Grade: CGC 10

Reality Check: This one surprised me ... but yet it didn't. I dig it ... especially since it only cost me about $20 total to grab and slab.

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A PERSONAL FAVORITE ...
The Book: Amazing Heroes No. 193 -- Alan Davis artwork/interview
The Reason Graded: While this Fantagraphics Books creation is comics-sized and is packed with work just like many issues, this is actually a comic-industry magazine with interviews and more -- a lot more -- inside. I knew about this issue for a long, long time as a collector of both this artist and this X-Men spin-off group, but I'd never actually seen one in-person or even online until a few years ago. I paid more than I probably would have liked for this (and wrote about it previously), but that was before I was semi-regularly grading comics. With a pressing, this one looked like it would be pretty decent, though still with some smaller flaws. Once I decided to grade, I took pics of the long interview inside -- as well as a career (at the time) art checklist so I could refer back to them as needed -- and sent it in.
The Grade: CGC 9.6 (Universal)

Reality Check: I knew the spine's slight staple bulge and a spot of very minor color loss near that would hurt, but all of the finger bends from a past owner's light reading came right out -- I'm definitely sold on pressing if it's worth chasing a top grade to you. I was also admittedly surprised with the mark here -- it's the highest of two copies.

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TOO CHEAP TO PASS UP
The Card: Frank Robinson 2010 Topps Tribute Gold Relics (/25)
The Reason Bought: Robinson is one of the Hall of Famers I passively collect -- a few pick-ups here and there throughout the year -- and this was basically already stabbed and too affordable to pass up given its relative scarcity and a strong mark for a graded card. If you count tax on your new Topps Chrome blaster, I could have landed this card and another blaster at their previous traditional price instead of some fresh Chrome. Why somebody would let this go that cheaply was a mystery to me, but I'm good with that.
The Grade: CSG 9

Reality Check: Lone copy graded? That works, too. Anything above an 8 or 8.5 on memorabilia cards is a win in my book. The corners -- since it's foilboard on the surface -- are the light problem spots with this release, though some of the funk in the picture is from the light reflecting back on minor typical corner issues.

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EARLY CARDBOARD ...
The Card: Samuel L. Jackson ("Cookies and Matches") -- 1993 Eclipse National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1
The Reason Graded: I'm not saying this set is the home to the first cards of this pop culture icon -- it's got a bunch of them, by the way -- but it's a contender along with a 1993 Jurassic Park set that shows him on a card. This spoof movie is absolutely packed with cameos and I've picked off a few a few names in this set and I think I've slabbed a couple, too. This isn't Jackson's main character/actor card (that would be one I'd do first if available a smidge more cleanly/cheaply) but this one looked remarkably clean and well-centered for a slab and it has a solo photo that gives it that solid character-card feel. (It might even look better than that one.)
The Grade: CGC 10

Reality Check: I was right about the centering here -- the black bar might mess with your eye but it's not a symmetrical design -- and I think this is a solid piece. He's been in a boatload of projects since the 1970s and has a legendary volume of blockbusters as well as plenty of Star Wars and Marvel cardboard, too. This set has a ton ... but packs/boxes are relatively obscure and the quality control is perhaps going to be hit and miss. (I haven't gone there but I have pondered it as non-sports has seemingly been my personal headliner -- new and old -- in 2024.) You'll see more of this set at some point.

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IT'S TUA TIME!
The Card: Tua Tagovailoa 2020 Donruss Optic image variation -- Rookie Card parallel
The Reason Bought: I've always been sold on Tua -- Roll Tide! -- but before his new big contract it seems a lot of holders had not been. The cash and security that should keep him in Miami for a while will probably help his cards going forward, but that was all after I found this one. I paid just $11 for it and would do that on Tua slabs all day long as long as the grading company and mark is up to par for me. This worked out very well for my taste.
The Grade: CSG 9

Reality Check: This grade is the most-common one -- but definitely not the lowest -- and that's one reason I have not dabbled with raw singles. Want to ... but it seems plenty have slabbed plenty around this time for key names, too, so playing the waiting game can also apply.

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REMEMBER THESE?
The Card: Emma Raducanu 2022 Topps x Emma Raducanu
The Reason Bought: Nothing about this release captured my attention back when it arrived -- not sure I remember anything about the set now to be honest without a Google search -- but I present a slab that cost me just under $7 for the sake of adding some variety here. [Pause.] OK, did the search ... the 34-card box cost $499 at the time -- 30 cards, three parallels and an autograph. Maybe that's the main reason it didn't capture my attention.
The Grade: PSA 9

Reality Check: I suspect the slabbing on rarities and ink was strong -- and perhaps still is as she's still ranked -- but I don't do much tennis ... though here's a reminder that the new Topps Chrome set is loaded on the autograph side. Some monster names are on the way. I should do some tennis.

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IS THAT ... PENNY?
The Card: Piper, Phoebe, Paige & Billie (Holly Marie Combs, Alyssa Milano, Rose McGowan, Kaley Cuoco) 2006 Inkworks Charmed Destiny promo card
The Reason Graded: Charmed is one of those shows where I knew the names of the core cast and characters without ever watching an episode back in the day. How? Plenty of advertising, media spots and a sea of magazines out there for pop culture, comics and TV that showcased the various stars often ... well except for one seen here, Cuoco. Her time was later in the run -- Google tells me the final season -- and, well, it was just recently that I found out Penny -- you know, Big Bang Theory Penny -- was once on this team. (To be fair, Cuoco has actually been in a lot of stuff ... just not stuff that was on my radar. I know her as Penny.) This card popped up on a promo search and it grabbed me. It was just weird to me to see this when all I know is that.
The Grade: CGC 10 (pristine)

Reality Check: When I got this card in-hand, it was remarkable how clean it was ... so it made it into a bulk grading sub and, well, the results are as good as it gets.

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ODDLY, THIS ONE'S A FAVORITE ...
The Card: Spencer Strider 2022 Topps Heritage High Number -- Rookie Card
The Reason Bought: I must have forgotten I grabbed this because before he got hurt I picked off about a dozen copies raw with an eye on grading. I picked up what I thought could be strong contenders but only one made the cut once in-hand. It turns out I don't even need to bother at the moment -- thanks, Atlanta Injury Bug -- but this is a simple favorite. Normally, a mug shot card would probably annoy me, but there's something about the simple shot with those sweet red jerseys and this simple 1973 design that just feels right.
The Grade: CGC 10

Reality Check: I'm not sure I checked the pop report before grabbing this awhile back as I would have remembered that number with that volume showing. That spread also shows how the slabbing here is not that easy ... or at least not a given. Centering, back edges and the front surfaces can all be funky here on all cards in this release.

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FAN-PRICED PICK-UP
The Card: Bo Bichette 2020 Bowman -- Rookie Card
The Reason Bought: Of almost 31,000 2020 Bowman cards graded, this one makes up 15 percent of that total. That's crazy ... and, if you're wondering, Luis Robert checks in at 9,943 as the leader (that's 32 percent) and the only card higher as I prep this. That kind of volume and a bad season can mean cheap prices now -- but they've been cheap. Also look at the stats below ... his 10s make up 10 percent of all 2020 Bowman slabs. I'm a fan -- and I like this card with that photo -- but those stats will be trouble even if he were to, say, show up for some monster franchise and put up record-breaking years.
The Grade: PSA 9

Reality Check: I probably overpaid at $7 ... but I'll probably keep buying when they're cheap. I like this card that much.

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FEW CARDS = MUST-SLAB FOR ME
The Card: Lady Frost 2022 Impact! Wrestling (announced /300) -- Rookie Card? Perhaps.
The Reason Graded: Frost doesn't have much cardboard at all and these sets really dried up or never really hit the secondary market all that hard. I bought three sets back when they arrived to get each of the three autos -- her, Mickie James and Jonah -- but my base card copies didn't ever make the cut for a submission. (They probably will at some point just not yet.) This one popped up on COMC so I grabbed it and slabbed it from there as an experiment, knowing that the stock, colors, design (some features here make the front look off-center) and back edges could be problem spots for grading.
The Grade: CGC 9

Reality Check: I was fine with a nine here -- I was actually prepared to land an 8.5 or 8.0 with these. I'll eventually grade more from these sets.

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ELEMENTALLY SPEAKING
The Card: LeeLou Loo (aka Milla Jovovich in The Fifth Element) 2023 Garbage Pail Kids Intergoolactic Mayhem Booger Green parallels
The Reason Graded: This card just made me laugh when I saw it -- the Kids pretty much nailed the fashion commentary here -- so I picked off a parallel for some added color and graded it ... just for laughs. (I do collect GPK with movie/TV/music nods, though.) If you don't know the movie from 1997, well, it's a bit of an eccentric classic -- here's part of her scene that ties in here.
The Grade: CGC 9.5

Reality Check: I was pleased with this mark as the stock here is skinny and you can damage cards just pulling on the packs with a little too much pressure.

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OWN THE ART ... NEEDED THE SLAB
The Card: Shotzi Blackheart 2021 Topps WWE Undisputed Rob Schamberger Illustrations
The Reason Graded: I own the original artwork used on this card -- it's in a past Buzz Buys -- and with that I landed a copy of this standard card signed by the artist. While I think I have picked off a copy or two here and stashed them away somewhere I hadn't dug them out to grade any -- though I wanted to -- but when this popped up on COMC it was also part of a submission. Why? I was confident this would grade well as this thick-stock release often grades very well.
The Grade: CGC 10

Reality Check: This one came back just as I had hoped and it's the highest of two slabbed. All I need now is the artist-auto version (/10) and I'll have 'em all plus some.

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ON THE WWE MEN'S SIDE ... HIM
The Card: Carmelo Hayes 2022 Panini Prizm WWE Premium Box Set (/199) -- Rookie Card parallel
The Reason Graded: I've had some good luck grading the first Prizm WWE set, so when this NXT standout arrived on the main WWE roster awhile back I added this parallel into a submission. Why? He's going to be a big deal. Simple as that.
The Grade: CGC 10

Reality Check: The hand outside of the border seems to be a grading issue here at times, but I found one where it wasn't hitting the border and I took that as a sign that the centering was spot on. It looks like I was right -- but at the same time this is a card where most copies are checking in at elite marks.

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LOOKED LIKE AN ELITE GRADE TO ME ...
The Card: Jose Canseco 2014 Topps Allen & Ginter Red parallel (from box-topper bonus pack) (/33)
The Reason Graded: Ever wondered how you can test your eye on the centering of cards? This set -- which was only found in box-topper packs one per case of Ginter this year -- has a built-in centering guide on every card. I counted the stripes and even compared it to other cards and this one -- a card of my first player I ever collected heavily -- and looked better than all. Given its scarcity, I grabbed it and slabbed it.
The Grade: CGC 10

Reality Check: Trust those lines. The corners on these may or may not be liabilities on your cards vs. regular Ginter minis, though. (There was no room for these to bounce around in packs wildly like the regular ones.) But beyond those two things the rest should be pretty clean here more often than not.

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A TIFFY CATASTROPHE ...
The Card: Tiffany Stratton 2023 Panini Prizm WWE Sensational Signatures Blue Prizm (/49)
The Reason Graded: This card should have created a reaction worthy of a Tiffany Epiphany but instead it was a Tiffany Catastrophe. It looked very clean over on COMC with a price that was quite solid, but what I couldn't see was a bend in the plastic stock -- as you can see at right (click for a closer look). It was a bummer for sure but at least it only cost me a fraction of what many of her autos -- at least on cards -- typically go for. So at least it wasn't a pricier bit of cardboard punishment.
The Grade: CGC 6.5

Reality Check: Lone copy graded ... and destined to be the lowest-graded copy forever. I still like the card ... but now it's more of an infamous favorite in my stash.

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SOME CRIMSON TIDE FILLER ... THAT I'D BEEN EYEING
The Card: Mac Jones 2021 Panini Instant Illustration Series (announced /5,553)
The Reason Bought: I'll still buy Jones stuff if it's cheap and I had been eyeing this one from this oddball-approach set ever since it arrived around draft time. Why? He's always going to have a spot in my school ties part of my collection ... though more as some feel-good volume cheap filler. Now that his NFL hype is, well, likely toast a lot of holders are dropping their asking prices ... as they should.
The Grade: CSG 9.5 (now 10)

Reality Check: The volume here shows he was one of those heavily graded names early on and most check in at this mark, too, with the scale change that happened after this one was encased. I didn't pay much so it's all good.

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OH, BROTHER ...
The Card: Hulk Hogan (with Wendi Richter & Cyndi Lauper) 1985 Topps Cyndi Lauper
The Reason Graded: I ripped a full box of this one at some point in the last year and my first copy literally arrived bent in half -- and it was, oddly, the only damaged card in the box -- but the two others that I found looked good. Here's the second one that I sent in earlier this year thinking it looked really, really clean. Why does this matter? Well, it's an oddball card for Hogan that a lot of WWE fans may have overlooked as it's in an off-radar non-sports set.
The Grade: CGC 10

Reality Check: This one also is as clean as it gets -- both of the 10s are mine. How many more will get graded after his recent payday move and other controversies? I'm not sure ... it likely has hurt his popularity. I'm probably slowing to a halt as a collector here for a few reasons.

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