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 ... and this time it's still a few more past pick-ups than usual as my pre-COVID grading submissions are delayed and still in graders' hands.

GOOD AS GOLD?
The Card: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 2019 Topps Update Gold #US1 (/2,019) -- Rookie Card parallel
The Reason Graded: This one looked razor-sharp when I pulled it -- and that wasn't always the easiest thing with the corners for cards in this release. While I might want to slab a few key RCs in this one, I wouldn't unless I think that the corners could be decent enough to get a 9.5 or better. Why? Because a lot of people are grading stuff here so you can let them take the chance at stuff coming back surprisingly low. Meanwhile, because of those corner issues (tight wrappers or chippy stock) a high-grade card is seemingly just not easy in this one -- and Gold parallels can be problematic at times, too,  though they were cleaner here than other past years.
The Grade: BGS 9.5

Reality Check: This card checked in where I had hoped but I'm definitely not alone as nearly all of the cards graded checked in as 9.5s. While the grade is a win, the pop report is a bit of a bummer. Long-term that might not matter as the demand will be there if he lives up to the expectations.

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

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This one is a new department here on The Buzz ... Fast Five -- a quick list under a simple topic that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection. It's a basic list of five items that could be fun for a starting collector or a new way to add to a stash that might already seemingly include everything when it comes to cardboard. For some of you, it's probably common sense. For others of you out there, it's perhaps something to ponder.

This time? Five cool cards simply because of their classic photos.

ALL THAT CASH THERE
The Card: Babe Ruth 2020 Topps Series 2 #562 SSP variation
Why does this Fast Five topic pop into my head on a slow Tuesday afternoon? Well, the record-setting Anthony Fauci Topps Now card over the weekend had one element of the things that can add to demand and value of a card -- a unique photo. (Fauci's card is perhaps more the moment than the actual photo frame, but here we go.) This Ruth card is one of many photo variants in basic Topps sets in recent years -- that's where you can find a lot of cool and unique images -- but this card is a fascinating one. Why? Think about all of the cash paid for all those signed baseballs today ... it should be a reminder that The Sultan of Swat's auto isn't necessarily rare -- there's just immense demand.
Check out MLB boxes here

Keep reading for four more making up the list this time.

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