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 ...

SNIKT!
The Book: Wolverine No. 50 (newsstand edition)
The Reason Graded: Back in 1992, Little Buzz was probably nearing the end of his comic book days -- or maybe a little after this one arrived -- but with some connections to a local book store I was able to get comics before they hit those spinner racks that resulted in books getting broken spines like they were Batman up against Bane. (Or something.) And with that era being one of mass-produced stuff that was still very creative on both the art front as well as the printing/gimmick front, I and many others were buying ... in quantity. This issue is one exploring Wolverine's origins and it's got a cardboard cover with his claws the source of the big die-cut gashes here revealing the first page of what's in the file (issue). I bought maybe a half-dozen of them as it was cool -- a few at the local comics shop and a few more at the book store -- and that's the key here. These newsstand versions -- same except for the UPC in the corner and not a marvel direct logo (that started in 1981) filling the box -- figure to be much, much rarer in a high grade.
The Grade: CGC 9.8 (Universal)

Reality Check: This one was a win but I expected it as my copies here are razor sharp. How many of those graded might be newsstand copies? It's a mystery right now but asking prices on eBay as I prep this file are as high as $500 for a newsstand copy while a direct has a max asking of $299. Actual sales for 9.8s in recent weeks? About $320 for newsstand and $85 for direct. I'll take that ... I'm in for just $2.50 (though I may have gotten a discount) and my grading fees. Most "serious" collectors bought at comics shops in the boom years, seeing newsstand is inferior with those barcodes ... now those barcodes are gold as long as you're in an elite grade.

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

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WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. — Piece of The Game Sports Cards and Collectibles, a one-of-a-kind sports cards and collectibles store, opens its flagship location today.

Moving operations from an online platform, which serves some of the largest sports collectibles markets in the U.S., has been a goal of owner David Prince for the last two years. Their first location -- off bustling U.S. Route 9 in Wappingers Falls -- is the prototype for future stores already slated to open in Westchester County, N.Y., and Mahwah, N.J., over the next year. The goal is to "have a truly unique and immersive experience for avid sports cards and collectible patrons." There is a ribbon-cutting ceremony today at 4 p.m. with a public opening tomorrow at 11 a.m.

"As a card collector since I was a child, I wanted to create a space that allows the cards to be displayed as they should be," Prince said. "Cards are now considered alternative assets, similar to fine art, and my store displays cards and collectibles as such."

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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: Andrew McCutchen to the Yankees, hobby vs. investing, autograph differences, big pulls and more as we end the month.

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What: 2016 Leaf Greatest Hits football cards
Arrives: October-November (TBD)
Box basics: Four buyback cards and one Predictor card per box (two boxes per case)

What's buzz-worthy: Leaf expands upon its buyback products with the arrival of this one, which celebrates everything that's great about football cards."

Keep reading for more.

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What: 2016 Leaf Pop Century Signed Photograph Edition
Arrives: Late June
Box basics: One autographed 8-by-10 photo per box (12 boxes per case)

What's buzz-worthy: Leaf's latest buyback product for pop culture arrives with certified autographed photos from the biggest names in Hollywood as well as big names from elsewhere.

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Today's the day where everyone in Major League Baseball dons No. 42 as a tribute to the man who changed the game -- and America -- forever.

On this day back in 1947, Jackie Robinson became a baseball and social pioneer, breaking MLB's color barrier and helping change how the game was played. His actions undoubtedly helped with the civil rights movement, which had its landmark legal act nearly two decades later.

Collecting Robinson isn't easy on a budget, but there are a few options for fans.

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What happens when you take some memorable baseball card designs of the early 1990s, add the latest crop of potential NFL players and autographs?

You get 2016 Leaf Ultimate Draft.

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With Black Friday nearly here, the number of new releases this week is low -- just five products are on tap for arrival this week.

The biggest release of the week for football is 2015 Panini Immaculate Collection, which will bring a new crop of high-end autographs and memorabilia cards to collectors. This one will include five autograph or memorabilia cards per box -- all from a selection that includes multi-player autos, massive patches, cleat laces and much more.

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