Buzz buys a lot of stuff these days and for a few reasons, really. Sometimes it's just bargain-hunting, sometimes it's just something that strikes me. And other times it's a lot -- a group of things -- and that has happened enough lately I figured I'd try something different as a regularly appearing item. Sometimes my lots will be wins, sometimes they won't be ... but I'll let you decide. 

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A PC THROWBACK
The Lot: 225-plus cards of former MLB player Nick Swisher (mostly cards from 2004-2010)
The Price: Not much more than a Chrome blaster box in the retail wild (with tax) -- check out Retro Rips here

Keep reading for more on this one ...

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What's Buzzing: Alexander Ovechkin ties Wayne Gretzky, showing off all Ginter non-MLB ink and more.

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1 -- Alexander Ovechkin ties Wayne Gretzky's goals record

2 -- All your MLB chatter is here

3 -- Showing off all Ginter ink -- but not baseball -- since 2006

4 -- Still talking football

5 -- Reactions to new WWE drama

6 -- Check out this vintage NFL piece

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Have you spotted a hot thread? Tell us about it in a comment or on Twitter.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

What's Buzzing: Collectors react to the Dikembe Mutombo news, more Shohei Ohtani 50-50 cardboard on the way, NFL Week 4 and plenty more in this one.

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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: 2023 Topps Composite football cards
First Buzz preview & checklist/odds: Click here 
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Keep reading to see a breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.

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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: MLB's got two new MVPs, Joe Burrow, Jim Harbaugh, Black November, completing a set from 1890 and more.

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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: Star Wars threads on May The Fourth (be with you), the one crypto card, the NBA's best under 23, grading chatter, new pulls and Wander Franco.

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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: An insane run of Allen & Ginter cards to be believed ... and plenty more in today's edition.

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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: Jayson Tatum puts on an All-Star show, new 2023 MLB pulls and even more in today's edition.

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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: Goals for 2023, NBA chatter, showing off Allen & Ginter cards, collector opinions MLB pulls and NFL Week 16.

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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: Nolan Arenado is on the move, Allen & Ginter gems, big pulls, NHL's top rookie comes up big and more.

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What: 2021 Topps Allen & Ginter baseball cards
Arrives: Aug. 11
Box basics: Three hits in every 24-pack hobby box (12 boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Allen & Ginter returns for another summer of new retro-styled cardboard with some familiar touches, some new chases and, well, plenty of unexpected cardboard from this long-running brand.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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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: Rays-Astros has them talking, taking on impossible tasks, big breaks and a question about unopened boxes from the past.

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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? Brands that always get my collecting attention ... with a touch of collect 'em where they ain't.

TOPPS HERITAGE MLB/MiLB (AND OTHER SPORTS, TOO)
See all boxes in stock right here
This brand has been a go-to for me since its MLB arrival back in 2001 with today's players on a new take of 1952 Topps. Since then, we've marched through the 1950s, 1960s and are into the admittedly lacking early 1970s now, but there have been twists since those early years that still make this one a go-to, though I don't see myself buying this one anywhere near as heavily in the next few years compared to the last 10 generally speaking. (I'll probably pick off more key singles -- just don't dig a lot of the 1970s designs.) In earlier years, MLB legends' autographs were a big draw in the brand but in more recent years the solo-rookie action variations and their autographed cards have become very big deals financially. (And at the same time the older big-name autos also have appreciated heavily in a lot of instances. They are safe long-term holds, too, in my mind.) One more thing to take notice of here? The years of boxed high-number sets that include ink and the MiLB releases that have to have some of the lowest print runs of all baseball releases out there in the last decade. Go look up Mookie Betts' high-number, auto and MiLB cards from Heritage as just one example. Mike Trout's 2012 Heritage is another example and there's cash sometimes waiting to be found with all of those tough variations from the past.

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

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Fast Five is 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 areas of collecting perhaps overlooked by many.

VINTAGE-ERA PLAYER GAME-USED MEMORABILIA CARDS
With some card companies moving toward player-worn memorabilia cards for living legends along with the prospects a little more than in the past, I think game-used memorabilia cards of Hall of Famers and other notables from vintage years (for this argument I'd go pre-1990s players, but even moreso 1970s and before) seem like a safer buy with finds for all budget types. Some brands -- National Treasures, Prime Cuts, Classics, Museum Collection, Flawless and Immaculate Collection for example -- seem to ride older players' presences a little harder than others and you can find some gems. NT baseball for Hall of Famers, for example, is a prime spot for solid cards with bats a little easier than jerseys. For cheaper finds of players with fewer cards and still some nice possibilities, I'd suggest looking in this same realm at NFL and NBA sets ... some of those players simply may not have cards made in the future as the game-used items just aren't easy finds compared to baseball. (A glance at major auction house catalogs show that, too -- it can be nearly all MLB with other sports a seeming afterthought ... and that's where card companies often do their shopping.) Skepticism about origins of swatches have softened markets at times, but you'd be surprised what you can find out there under $100 ... heck even under $50 if shipping with a focus. Who should you pick up? Pick up who you like or who seems to be a good buy.

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

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This one is a quick idea for 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 something to think about.

This time? Five modern tobacco-inspired brands that always catch my attention. Why go here? Because we're getting a new take on Topps 206 (at right) coming from Topps later this week.

THE MAINSTAY FOR ME ...
Topps' Allen & Ginter baseball card set has been a go-to for me in various forms since its first set in 2006 with that debut carefully following the design of the 1887 Allen & Ginter World's Champions multi-sport set that included baseball players alongside other athletes on cards inserted into cigarette packs. (If you don't know, that's basically the origin of trading cards ... something printed on cardboard used to help stiffen cigarette packs -- i.e. tobacco cards.) Ginter includes one mini card in the same size as the originals -- 1 7/16 by 2 5/8 inches -- and also has framed autos and Relics that are those size, too. Those things have stayed the same as modern takes on a retro design of that feel have been the evolutionary feature since. Do you recognize the 2006 card up top? You might not as it was a mini promo card found inside a promo Rip Card sent to dealers to show one of the interesting features of the brand.

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

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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: Big pulls, showing off Allen & Ginter gems, Project 2020 teasers and more in today's edition.

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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: Getting back into collecting and then a number of breaks -- including cases of Ginter and Heritage -- that are worth a look.

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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: Ginter's non-MLB autos, 2019 Bowman Chrome arrives and big pulls in today's edition.

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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: 2018 Topps Allen & Ginter baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 8
Cards per pack: 6
Cards in this box: 47
Base set completion: 
26 of 300 (9 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Mike Trout, John Smoltz, Michael Rapaport, Ted Williams, Cryptocurrency, Frank Thomas, Ben Lecomte, Reggie Jackson, Roger Clemens

Rookie Cards (5) – Ozzie Albies, Walker Buehler, Lucas Sims, Clint Frazier, J.P. Crawford

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Have you seen the latest cool or interesting items on eBay? If not, you just might see some of those here every week as we're launching a weekly version of our eBay Buzz pieces that pop up from time to time. We’ll spotlight some items that have a story or just wow us with how much interest it might have — and we’re not just talking baseball cards, either.

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RARE AIR 
The Item: An uncut sheet of 1986-87 Fleer basketball cards
The Price: $709 after 24 bids (with just two days remaining)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: I've not heard of entire sheets being counterfeited but with the Michael Jordan Rookie Card (heavily faked) you never know ... but what we do know with this one is that it's not perfect but an uncut sheet with this card and this landmark set is impressive. The back of the sheet suffers from massive red ink staining so that's probably why the sheet wasn't cut and put into packs. What kind of other flaws might there be? It's not clear based on the auction images, but it generally looks pretty good on the front and it's the kind of cool impressive piece to frame and display for not only its Jordan presence but every other Hall of Famer Rookie Card that's on it. (It's not worth professional cutting with the back staining.) This one is dirt cheap right now but could go crazy before it ends.
Similar Pieces: More 1986-87 Fleer eBay auctions
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for NBA boxes

Keep reading for four more interesting items in this week's roundup ...

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Finn has come to Allen & Ginter? Yep.

Star Wars star John Boyega's Topps Allen & Ginter autographs that were apparently made last year but not signed in time for last year's release are among the surprises found so far in 2018 Topps Allen & Ginter, which officially arrives today.

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Have you seen the latest crazy items on eBay? If not, you just might see some of those here every week as we're launching a weekly version of our eBay Buzz pieces that pop up from time to time. We’ll spotlight some items that have a story or just wow us with how much interest it might have — and we’re not just talking baseball cards, either.

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... BUT WHAT IF IT WAS DEREK JETER?
The Item: 1993 Upper Deck SP Michael Tucker-Marc Newfield "Mona Lisa" error card
The Price: You have to see it to (not) believe it.
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: One man's worthless printer's scrap is another's "Inverted Jenny" and that's a reference to a legitimately valuable error version of a postage stamp. In this case? Well, unless there's a huge Michael Tucker fan out there this is somebody wanting to (tongue in cheek) "test the market" or get some potential viral attention with a weird auction listing. (Mission accomplished.) Now, if it was a Derek Jeter card? Somebody would be buying ... no doubt about it.
Similar Pieces: Check out Derek Jeter 1993 SP cards here
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for MLB cards

Keep reading for four more interesting items in this week's roundup ...

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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: Inside 138 2018 Bowman Mega Boxes, first Rip Cards and more chatter.

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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: Some impressive breaks from around the collecting world, impressive sketch cards, reacting to Conor McGregor and much more.

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What: 2018 Topps Allen & Ginter baseball cards
Arrives: July 18
Box basics: Three hits in every 24-pack hobby box (12 boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Allen & Ginter returns with a new retro look but the same feel as with recent years of celebrating the 1880s style of baseball cards with today's expectations.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

Continue reading →