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 ...

THE AIR UP THERE ...
The Card: Michael Jordan 2009 Goodwin Champions
The Reason Graded: This is one I pulled from a pack of this Ginter-style rival throwback brand back when it arrived, and it's got an obviously appropriate background for Air Jordan. It's that simple touch (and it being a dunk shot) that makes this card -- in all its versions -- in some demand. This one had been in my "maybe grade" pile for literally years and I finally worked it into a bulk sub since the NBA season is here.
The Grade: CGC 10

Reality Check: It checked in higher than I had expected, though I tend to punt cards where the centering is just slightly off ... but those can still land a 10 like this one did. Ultimately I was good with any mark as, for me, this is more of a novelty slab -- about the only Jordan collecting I do is his baseball stuff. Interestingly, most copies of this card have checked in here -- that's surprising to me -- but with that overall volume still low that could change easily with time.

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

Continue reading →

What: 2024 Doctor Who Series 5-7 trading cards
Arrives: June 12
Box basics: Four autographs per 24-pack box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: This sci-fi franchise's newest cardboard drops with plenty of ink -- and an inscription auto in every box -- for the long-running hit show.

Keep reading for more as well as a small selection of card images to come.

Continue reading →

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: New pulls with Bowman U, the Victor Wembanyama hype train, a big retail mega box, Doctor Who and more.

Continue reading →

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: New breaks, MLB and NFL talk, big pulls and "sometimes you get really lucky."

Continue reading →

What: 2023 Doctor Who Series 1-4 trading cards
Arrives: April 26
Box basics: Four autographs per 24-pack box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: This sci-fi franchise's newest cardboard drops with plenty of ink -- and an inscription auto in every box -- for the long-running hit show.

Keep reading for more as well as a small selection of card images to come.

Continue reading →

Some Doctor Who Series 11-12 exclusives are coming to San Diego Comic-Con with Rittenhouse Archives later this month.

The company revealed its plans for a bonus-pack program at the show on Tuesday, and it's for fans who buy a UK Edition box (or case) of the recently released product at the event. It's also a move that will be in play for other upcoming shows, according to the company.

"We are pleased to announce a special program for upcoming comic-cons and other conventions, in which specially marked Doctor Who Series 11-12 trading card packs will be available with Doctor Who UK Edition Series 11-12 trading cards purchased at these in-person events," the company said. "The first event will be the San Diego Comic-Con."

Keep reading for the full details.

Continue reading →

What: 2022 Doctor Who Series 11 & 12 trading cards
Arrives: May 18 for Hobby Edition ... and also for UK Edition
Box basics: Four autographs per 24-pack box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: This sci-fi franchise's newest cardboard will arrive in two versions and fewer than 850 cases globally between them and with some exclusives only found in the UK Edition -- including unique autographs and more.

Keep reading for more as well as a small selection of card images to come.

Continue reading →

Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals is to rip a little less and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... and this time around Buzz goes a little high-end (for him).

--

BUZZ FELT RICH ... 
The Card: Mercedes Varnado (aka Sasha Banks) 2021 Topps Star Wars Stellar Signatures autograph (/40)
The Price: Less than anybody else (so far)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This is one of those rarer (but not non-existent) times where Buzz paid up for a single card from a new release. Why? It's so premium-priced that single cards are the only way I'll see it -- and this time I'm not alone. It comes from the loaded Stellar Signatures release where only 100 boxes were made with all of them including ink from everybody who's signing for Topps every time. This is Varnado's first Star Wars autograph card and it comes from her role in The Mandalorian, so I figured I'd go there if they dipped enough ... and they did ... at least around the time I grabbed this. They do seem to be drying up, though, even in the weeks since I found mine with the cheapest as I write this being a $499 ask on eBay (for a parallel) with other copies of this base card even higher. This auto (vs. her Banks auto, which I have many copies of) is a lot simpler and the one private signing she did for Star Wars before these -- where they are at least $150 per photo depending on sizes -- showed her sig quality being all over the place. So, with that in mind, I went the card route as a sure thing. This one is clean -- though some cards in this release aren't as crisp -- so I was fine going there. Varnado has had just two other Star Wars autos arrive in the newest Signature Series release but those are stickers ... so I'll wait and see how prices shake out on more. I may not do a ton of them as it's a simple sig, but I knew I needed at least one in my stash and started with the best brand in the land.
Grab a box right here: 2021 Topps Star Wars Stellar Signatures

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

Continue reading →

Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals is to rip a little less and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... and this time around it's a big one to end the year.

--

HIS TIME OF YEAR
The Card: Nick Frost as Santa Claus 2018 Topps Doctor Who Signature Series Autographs
The Price: About $20
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This set is a loaded one in terms of its depth for the long-running, multi-generational UK television series that has a number of stars in it where you may also know them from elsewhere. One of those names? Nick Frost, who you might know as Simon Pegg's right-hand man in hits such as Shaun of The Dead, Hot Fuzz and Paul. He's a veteran actor and star in the UK so he's got far more notable credits than those and then, of course, this smaller spot in the Who universe that got him this card. He's got about 20 total certified autos from three Doctor Who releases and this is the newest one. I grabbed it months ago -- they may have dried up since then -- to drop this right here this time of year.
Grab a box right here: None for this one ... see non-sports boxes here.

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

Continue reading →

Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals is to rip a little less and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... and this time around there are some really unique pieces and some normal stuff found over recent months.

--

BETTER THAN A BOX.
The Piece: Sasha Banks 2019 Topps WWE Undisputed original art by Rob Schamberger
The Price: Same as a box of this year's Undisputed cards
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: For the last two years, Topps' Undisputed sets have included a subset showcasing the work of WWE artist Rob Schamberger whose pieces also have been found on countless prints, shirts and more as well as in WWE Canvas 2 Canvas video shorts. How popular is his work? Well, wrestler-signed prints have their own section over at WWE Auction and he also had original card-sized works in last year's Transcendent boxes -- and this year's Undisputed set has his autographs as one of its chases. One card from last year's set that got my attention upon arrival was the Banks, which I even submitted for grading and I hadn't really thought about that one until just recently with this year's new set. What popped up? Well, he launched his new website, Schamberger Labs, where collectors can find prints, original pieces and more and that's where I found this original. For months now, I had been eyeing an original watercolor/ink piece to showcase here (story perhaps to come later ... if I do grab that one) but with the new site announcement one recent morning I checked things out and was shocked to see this original. (His photo is above since it's too large for me to photograph well.) I hadn't really imagined any art from this set ever being available but I grabbed it with little hesitation. I figured these pieces might be locked away in Topps' or WWE's possession given the card presence, but, no, the Banks and a handful of other pieces were up for grabs. (Some are still there.) These 11-by-15 pieces aren't overwhelmingly large to manage -- mine is in a photo top-loader for now -- and there's a strong chance I'll display it at some point, though I never really display any of my buys. (Well, beyond showing them off here.) This was one of my favorite finds of the year ... and it's been a good year (of shopping at home).
Grab a box right here: 2020 Topps WWE Undisputed

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

Continue reading →

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 breaks and highlights in today's edition.

Continue reading →

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.

--

NEW "ROWDY" CARDBOARD 
The Item: Ronda Rousey 2019 Topps WWE Road to WrestleMania Blue auto (/50)
The Price: $499.99 Buy-It-Now (or best offer)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This one might be a little over-priced since it's a rarer parallel but you never know who might be looking and clicking so that's one reason why you see this one here. Other reasons? It's a pricey potential find -- one of many -- from a box that guarantees ink every time and presently runs less than $55. It's also interestingly the first card I've seen using her nickname as part of her name. She appears to have ink from several parallels in this one so she should be in the mix from here on out as long as she keeps signing -- that's a good thing here and should be a good sign for releases to come.
Similar Pieces: Other Road to WrestleMania autos on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for 2019 Topps Road to WrestleMania boxes

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

Continue reading →

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 big pulls in today's edition.

Continue reading →

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: Chasing Flawless autograph sets, busting packs and boxes and other tidbits to start the week.

Continue reading →

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 highlights from breaks as we continue a holiday weekend.

Continue reading →

What happens when you take an internationally popular multi-generational TV series, collect many of its iconic stars, years worth of guest stars and put nothing but their autographs all in one place?

Some cardboard gold -- and a project that just might be on the to-do list for many collectors both here and across the pond.

That's what appears to be in play for 2018 Topps Doctor Who Signature Series, a one-auto-per-pack product that arrived earlier this year from Topps with nothing but ink inside its packs.

There are nearly 100 different signed cards to chase in this one -- and nothing else -- with parallel cards being the only added challenge to collecting this release that chronicles the characters and actors for Doctor Who beyond just its title characters.

Continue reading →

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: The NFL season is here, big pulls from a number of brands and pondering the power of an Aaron Rodgers card.

Continue reading →

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 from the NFL's past and present, football chatter, and plenty more being found inside packs in today's edition.

Continue reading →

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 NSCC chatter and highlights from breaks in this Sunday edition.

Continue reading →

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: NSCC chatter, Jose Altuve Refractor Watch, MLB's cardboard icons, MLB's non-signers and more.

Continue reading →

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 from around the collecting world, NSCC chatter and more as we head into the weekend.

Continue reading →

If it's been a while since you last visited a comic book shop, there are a few reasons you might want to this weekend.

There are 50 of them potentially up for grabs for free as part of Free Comic Book Day, an annual event to reward regular visitors and get others back into the fold.

It's set for this Saturday at participating shops who'll have a lineup of books available that are all made for this event.

Continue reading →

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 baseball pulls, baseball debates and a pair of impressive non-sports finds.

Continue reading →

If you've been to a toy store lately, you might have seen one of a couple of new items that are throwbacks on the play front with some fun nods to pop culture that just might make them worthy for your collection.

They're called POPTATERS made by PPW Toys and the newest releases are for a pair of famous science fiction franchises meeting the Mr. Potato Head galaxy for the first time.

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: 2017 Topps Doctor Who Signature Series trading cards
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 4
Cards per pack: 5
Cards in this box: 20
Base set completion: 
14 of 100 (14 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Continue reading →