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: 2021 Historic Autographs Famous Americans -- Employee Set (parallel edition + bonuses)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available ... click for all other H.A. releases)
First Buzz preview: Click here (checklist is in gallery below)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was 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: 2021 Historic Autographs Famous Americans -- Employee Set (parallel edition + bonuses)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available ... click for all other H.A. releases)
First Buzz preview: Click here (checklist is in gallery below)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.

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What: 2025 Leaf Pearl Multi-sport cards
Arrives: August
Box basics: 11 premium cards per box (two boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Leaf's high-end celebration of sport in seemingly every direction arrives for a new edition with some monster 16-auto booklets, a rare cut auto in every box and some of the biggest names in all the games found together right here.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

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WWE star Shotzi Blackheart revisits her old NXT stomping grounds on Oct. 18, 2022. (WWE photo)

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It's one step closer to match-used, but still not there -- yet it's still an iconic piece of a moment for a colorful WWE star.

That's how I'd describe the item in this third installment of a series with a tweaked name -- a tank-driven tangent in my Collecting Game-used series to be more specific -- and it's one that didn't take a whole lot of research time at all before I added this to my collection of memorabilia.

As should be obvious, it's once again from Shotzi Blackheart, who I collect rather seriously in the traditional realms involving Panini America and Topps cardboard, and this item, which came directly from her, also is one that's forever captured in TV history and beyond.

Keep reading to see all the details.

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A piece of the exact moment ... that's what it's all about.

There's a reason there's a tweaked name above for this item in the Collecting Game-used series this month as this isn't just some baseball, football or other typical piece from a name from a traditional game. This one is from a realm just as athletic but also one way more theatric -- the WWE -- which is a world full of colorful characters and names that have more on their resume than just what's on the stat sheet. This time there's no game and there's no uniform, but it's a small piece from a memorable moment that helped lay out the basics for a star who was then still somewhat new to the NXT landscape after a few years as an independent wrestler making her way in the world.

Her name, if you don't know it already from seeing the colorful hair and the horn-adorned Army helmet, is Shotzi Blackheart and she's a star I collect rather seriously in the traditional realms involving Panini America and Topps cardboard, so you'll know her name from reading many other items here. This is the first of a few entries in this series that will step away from the field and get in the world that includes a ring. If her look doesn't grab your attention, her unusual entrances at times might ... she originally rode to the ring in an intentionally absurd childrens' toy tank bought at a Walmart that just works with the vibes and the unusual energy of a Blackheart. (Yes, that name an homage to Joan Jett's punk band.) Meanwhile, in more recent days, her ride is more of a WWE-style tank with and her gear a more glamorized leather aesthetic in the ring and beyond with an energy that's evolved since her late-2019 arrival.

But this time for this item in this series? Well ... keep reading to see all the details.

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What: 2025 Historic Autographs Did You Know? trivia cards
Arrives: March 19
Box basics: Seven packs per box ... cut autos roughly one in four boxes (24 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Historic Autographs meshes a new release that's all about trivia with some past packs from its library, too, all in one spot where hits could arrive more often than normal thanks to those past packs.

Keep reading for more information.

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What: 2024 Leaf Elvis Presley Icons Collection trading cards
Arrives: Dec. 13
Box basics: One cut autograph or memorabilia card per seven-card box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: The King of Rock 'n' Roll returns to cardboard just in time for the holidays with a hit in every box as it looks back at the global icon's life and career.

Keep reading for more.

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What: 2024 Keepsake Historical Edition trading cards
Arrives: Oct. 23
Box basics: One relic card per light-activated box (five boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Keepsake goes high-end once again with plenty of past and present notables from pop culture, politics and history -- a lineup with more than 100 different subjects and all cards showing the exact items that went into making the cards.

Keep reading for more info and a selection of images.

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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.

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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 pack: 2024 Wild Card Decades National Promo Pack
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
First Buzz preview: TBD ... this is for a future release.

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.

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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 ... 

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DOGPOOL'S DEBUT
The Book: Prelude To Deadpool Corps No. 3 -- first Dogpool appearance
The Price: Under $8
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This was an impulse/curiosity buy once I saw Dogpool -- a character that I'm admittedly not that familiar with -- on this cover of Empire in advance of the Deadpool & Wolverine movie to come as well as in a preview trailer. Why? Well, one reason I grabbed this was that the lone graded copy of this book on eBay at that time had an asking price of $400-plus. While I know that's high, you never know what people might grab if the that pup steals the show or at least picks up some headlines alongside Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds when this one hits. (Weird thing have happened with Baby Yoda and Star Wars' Porgs in recent years.) This comic cover isn't exactly the same as what we're getting on the big screen dog-wise, but with the movie figuring to generate a lot of buzz and perhaps include a lot of cameos I've been looking at stuff here and there ... and I really need to go find that magazine, too. It's actually got higher asking prices on eBay than this book and has sold for more than $20. (It's a UK mag ... so it's perhaps not as easily found just yet.) The comic has had CGC 9.8 sales of $85 and $299 in recent months, too, so there's definitely some speculating ... and there should be. This movie will be huge.
Grab a box right here: BlowoutCards.com for non-sports cards

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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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: 2021 Historic Autographs Famous Americans (blaster)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (other formats)
First Buzz preview: Click here (checklist is in gallery with break below)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.

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What: 2022 Topps Heritage Elvis Presley trading cards
Arrives: Now via Topps.com
Box basics: 24 packs per box (12 boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here (when available)

What's buzz-worthy: The King of Rock & Roll gets his own throwback release -- albeit on a small scale -- with Heritage with a shot at Relics in the mix.

Keep reading for more and a gallery of images.

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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: 2021 Historic Autographs Famous Americans (factory set)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
First Buzz preview: Click here (checklist is in gallery below)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.

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: 2021 Historic Autographs Famous Americans (factory set)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
First Buzz preview: Click here (checklist is in gallery below)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.

Continue reading →

It was 45 years ago today that Elvis Presley died after a career filled with historic successes but, no, this one isn't showcase for a piece of The King -- though I own cards with pieces with memorabilia he wore in them as those have been made as part of many past card sets.

This one's more in my traditional collecting wheelhouse and a simple piece of memorabilia for a current star over in the wrestling realm who is a fan of Presley as well as other musical acts -- and they were often seen in small ways on her decorated leather jackets worn to the ring. It this one of those jackets? Nah, I don't have a couple grand to land one -- but I totally want to.

This is something far simpler from outside the WWE realm, and back in July in this very Collecting Game-used series you got Part 1. This is a promised follow-up piece that I landed at that same time, and, while this isn't really a "game-used" item, it's 100-percent photo-matched to a shoot over on Instagram.

You can see a hint of it above. Keep reading to see the reveal.

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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 little heavier on football as that season is here.

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AEW ORIGINALS ... AS IN ORIGINAL ARTWORK 
The Cards: Gummy Arts original T206-style drawings (1/1s) for Thunder Rosa, Orange Cassidy, MJF, Powerhouse Hobbs & Sting
The Price: Less than an AEW hobby box
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: If you don't know the work of artist Mike Noren -- aka Gummy Arts -- he's been drawing athletes or memorable pop culture characters in penciled cartoon-style reproductions of past cards or on new creations for years now. You can find constantly updating feeds of his work in timely posts over on Instagram or Twitter and then sometimes those get reproduced and sold as cards in packs. In other instances, he's let the original artwork go, too. Those vanish fast and can be pricey -- actually, his packs can vanish fast, too -- and for years now I've eyed the section of his site for original art (typically $50-80 depending on subject) that made it into cards. I had never found one that was must-have for me -- or at least found a must-have one in stock -- but one day after seeing a tweet of his I did my regular ritual and checked the site to find this set of five T206/Honus Wagner homages in one slightly pricier lot but had to grab them. I had remembered seeing the Rosa online but didn't remember any of these being made into actual cards. It turns out they weren't, so the only thing that exists f0r now (at least when I recently grabbed them) are these originals. Four are top AEW stars while one is an all-time great who has worked for every company ... really a no-brainer for me and I might have paid the typical full price for one or two of these. The Rosa card in a Tijuana jersey and others in their own Wagner-style threads made me laugh, while that Cassidy is not far from spot-on even in Noren's style. Poke around here on The Buzz and you'll see more of these ... just not in 1/1 original art form.
Grab a box right here: AEW cards are here

Keep reading for more interesting items ...

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What: 2022 Historic Autographs Prime
Arrives: July 27
Box basics: Three DNA Hair Cards or two DNA Hair Cards and one Prime autograph per box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Historic Autographs dips into something unusual but long-collected in the past -- hair (yes, hair) -- for a new card release while also working in some notable autographs from the past.

Keep reading for more information.

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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 pack: Mad Max: Fury Road Funko Mystery Minis
Where to buy: Will take some looking ... BlowoutCards.com for non-sports cards

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery for what was in this one.

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What: 2021 Leaf Metal Pop Century trading cards
Arrives: October
Box basics: Four autograph or memorabilia cards per box (12 boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Leaf's annual celebrity release is back for another Metal go with notable names from Hollywood and standouts from other areas of pop culture, too, all in one spot -- and there are some Metaled Pro Set SuperStars MusicCards to be found, too.

Keep reading for more info 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: Big pulls, NFL chatter, a prediction for 2021 and more in today's edition.

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Have you seen the latest cool cards from a new release? With so many options for collectors of all kinds arriving every week it's possible you haven't. That's where Buzz comes in -- well at least on one brand you'll see here from time to time in what we're calling Buzz's Pick Six. Simply put, here are six cards from a new arrival that seemed interesting to this collector and we think they might interest you, too.

This week's list: Bargain boxes I'd bust right now ... for a few reasons.

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TEN PACKS, TEN AUTOGRAPHS
The Box: 2008 Razor Signature Series baseball box
The Price: Click here
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: With the MLB Draft tonight, I figured I'd give this one a nod both for the power of prospect cards in everything when it comes to baseball these days and for the reality that not all draft classes age that well. This one has an autograph in every pack and a number of guys who made it to MLB and then many who didn't really make much of a mark. Your most-notable autos here at this point are Giancarlo Stanton (in his "Mike" days) as well as Buster Posey, Charlie Blackmon and Eric Hosmer. Others that have been of note at times? Tim Beckham, Pedro Alvarez, Yonder Alonso and Matt Wieters to name a few. An autograph in every pack makes this one fun but it can be a bit of a bummer if you don't land one of the bigger names ... but at the low-price volume still makes for a decent rip and you can find parallels and dual autos, too.

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

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What: 2018-19 Leaf Pearl sports cards
Arrives: January
Box basics: 11 premium cards including one cut auto per box (two boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What’s buzz-worthy: Leaf Pearl will take on a multi-sport approach in in the coming year with a range of athletes and sports stars from the past and present with autographs from O.J. Simpson, Lionel Messi and plenty more in the mix along with some legendary pieces of memorabilia, too.

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What: 2019 Historic Autographs Limelight Signatures
Arrives: Oct. 30
Box basics: Two celebrity autographs per box (10 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Historic Autographs turns its spotlight to celebrities from the past with a release that will include stars from music, movies and TV.

Keep reading for more information.

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Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals just might be to rip fewer blasters this year 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. Would they capture yours? I'd be interested to know -- sometimes they might, sometimes they won't and that's fine. It's a buyer's market out there with plenty of options and bargains as well as high-end gems to chase.

So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... and this time around it's another super-sized edition.

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BATTING LEAD-OFF ONCE AGAIN 
The Card: Ronald Acuña Jr. 2018 Topps Heritage High Number Rookie Card (BGS 9)
The Price: $14
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: You may think it's a comedy bit with this Atlanta Braves slugger's RC batting lead-off here once again -- and it's not even the first time it's been this card in a slab, just a different company -- but Buzz is still sold on his hobby potential as part of a first-place team loaded with home-grown talent ... and he bats lead-off there, too. There will come a time where the wax will become harder and harder to find so these slabbed versions are always worth a look on the cheaper side in my mind. This also was my first buy for a BGS card without sub-grades -- people tend to price them lower than other cards. This one does have issues with vertical centering but it doesn't bug my eye at all compared to left-right centering issues when those exist. For the price, I'm good here ... and I still miss 1969 Heritage compared to this year.
Grab a box right here: 2018 Topps Heritage High Number baseball cards

Keep reading for five more interesting items ...

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