PSA authenticated or graded 10 of most-expensive items sold in 2017

Just 10 of the most-notable items in the sports world that were sold in 2017 totaled more than $6.7 million in sales, ranging from the $1.68 million Norman Rockwell piece you see here to high-grade copies of Mickey Mantle‘s iconic 1952 Topps card.

And they all had one thing in common — PSA or PSA/DNA authentication.

“We certified a myriad of incredible items last year, and the list is full of sports history from top to bottom,” said Professional Sports Authenticator VP Steve Sloan. “We’ll continue pushing ourselves toward another great year in 2018, and look forward to what’s in store.”

The Newport Beach, Calif.-based company recently took the time to examine the markets last year and touted its Top 10 for 2017. Keep reading to see everything on the list.

First Buzz: 2018 Panini Diamond Kings baseball cards

What: 2018 Panini Diamond Kings baseball cards
Arrives: April 11
Box basics: Two autographs or memorabilia cards per 12-pack box (24 boxes per case via two inners)

What’s buzz-worthy: Diamond Kings returns for another season with the legends of yesterday and the stars of today with an artistic approach and nods to the rich past of DK baseball cards.

Keep reading for more and a full gallery of images.

First Buzz: 2018 Panini Diamond Kings baseball (early retail details)

What: 2018 Panini Diamond Kings baseball cards
Arrives: March 28
Box basics: Three retail-exclusive insert cards per seven-pack blaster box (20 boxes per case)

What’s buzz-worthy: We’ve got early word on what’s coming to the retail aisle from Panini America in 2018, and it’s the newest crop of Diamond Kings will be the second set to arrive next March.

Keep reading for more info.

Board Buzz: Must-read threads on the Blowout Forums (Dec. 22)

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 and big breaks as we head toward the weekend.

Buzz Break: 2017 Panini Chronicles baseball cards (hobby box)

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 Panini Chronicles baseball cards (hobby box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 12
Cards per pack: 5
Cards in this box: 60
Base set completion: 
42 of 100 (42 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Mookie Betts, Ryne Sandberg, Justin Verlander, Ken Griffey Jr., Pete Rose, Carlos Correa, Clayton Kershaw, Gary Sanchez, Jose Altuve, Mike Schmidt, Buster Posey, Mickey Mantle, Kris Bryant, Nolan Ryan

First Buzz: 2017 Historic Autographs Originals 1930s baseball cards

What: 2017 Historic Autographs Originals 1930s baseball cards
Arrives: Dec. 29
Box basics: One encased autographed buyback card display per box (16 boxes per case)

What’s buzz-worthy: The final Historic Autographs release of the year takes us back to the 1930s with buyback cards and cut autographs paired together in a very limited product.

Keep reading for more information.

Buzz 12 in 12: Busting a 1999 Upper Deck Ovation MLB blaster (Hour 7)

Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today’s your day then as we launch 12 in 12 — a series of a dozen breaks of past wax boxes and wax packs in a dozen hours. We’ll post one every hour on the hour all day long today … this is Hour 7.

The box: 1999 Upper Deck Ovation baseball cards (blaster)
The cost now: $19.95
The cost then: $34.99

What’s inside this one? Keep reading …

First Buzz: 2018 Onyx Baseball Icons Collection Hall of Fame signed baseballs

What: 2018 Onyx Baseball Icons Collection Hall of Fame signed baseballs
Arrives: Dec. 12
Box basics: One autographed baseball per box and one vintage graded card per case (12 boxes per case)

What’s buzz-worthy: Only 25 sealed cases will be made for this one — half as much as last year — but there will still be one buyback card per case and a Hall of Famer in every box.

Keep reading for more info, including a checklist.

First Buzz: 2017 Panini Flawless baseball cards

What: 2017 Panini Flawless baseball cards
Arrives: June 1
Box basics: Six autos, two memorabilia and two jewel cards per box (two boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here to view

What’s buzz-worthy: Flawless returns to the baseball diamond once again with elite names from the past and the biggest names of the present all in one place — “more All-Stars, legends and superstars than ever before,” according to the company.

Keep reading for more info and a full gallery of images released so far.

Buzz Break: 2017 Donruss Optic baseball cards (blaster box)

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 Donruss Optic baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 6
Cards per pack: 5
Cards in this box: 30
Base set completion: 
13 of 100 (13 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Nolan Ryan, Buster Posey, Mookie Betts, Duke Snider, Manny Machado, Chris Sale, Francisco Lindor

Rookie Cards (3) – Dansby Swanson, Mitch Haniger, Reynaldo Lopez

First Buzz: 2017 TRISTAR Quest Top Shelf

What: 2017 TRISTAR Quest Top Shelf
Arrives: Oct. 11
Box basics: Four envelopes per case — each with an autographed item or memorabilia redemption inside

What’s buzz-worthy: TRISTAR’s Quest once again takes things up a notch with a product that is purely high-end memorabilia — and just 30 cases will be made.

Keep reading for more.

First Buzz: 2017 Panini National Treasures baseball cards

What: 2017 Panini National Treasures baseball cards
Arrives: Oct. 25
Box basics: Eight autographs or memorabilia cards — including one booklet — per box (four boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here to view

What’s buzz-worthy: The fourth edition of National Treasures baseball arrives with some of the biggest names in the history of the game and among those cards is a Mickey Mantle tribute set.

Keep reading for more as well as a full gallery of images.

First Buzz: 2017 Historic Autographs Ball of Fame Inscriptions

What: 2017 Historic Autographs Ball of Fame Inscriptions
Arrives: Oct. 18
Box basics: One autographed MLB baseball per box (12 boxes per case)

What’s buzz-worthy: Historic Autographs presents its newest baseball release with ink — and a little more — in every box.

See a gallery and more … below.

Board Buzz: Must-read threads on the Blowout Forums (Aug. 14)

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 & big (fake?) autograph finds to start a new week.

Buzz Break: 2017 Donruss Optic baseball cards (blaster box)

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 Donruss Optic baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 6
Cards per pack: 5
Cards in this box: 30
Base set completion: 
13 of 100 (13 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Kris Bryant, Frank Thomas, Giancarlo Stanton, Yadier Molina

Rookie Cards (3) – Yoan Moncada, Braden Shipley, Alex Reyes

First Buzz: 2017 Panini Chronicles baseball cards (early retail details)

What: 2017 Panini Chronicles baseball cards
Arrives: Mid/late November
Box basics: One Absolute Rookies Blue card per blaster with autographs or memorabilia cards found one in every fourth box (20 boxes per case)

What’s buzz-worthy: We’ve got early word on a new line coming to the retail aisle just in time for Thanksgiving sales and it will pack some big, big names in today’s hobby — Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Mickey Mantle for starters — on a number of designs/brands in the Panini baseball portfolio that help update the season’s offerings all in one place.

Keep reading for more info and a visual teaser of two cards to come.

Latrell Sprewell, Glen Rice are latest Panini VIP Party guests

The Panini VIP Party NBA roster is up to three.

Panini America revealed the fourth and fifth guests for its upcoming exclusive event set for Saturday night and the two newest stars are Latrell Sprewell and Glen Rice.

The event coincides with the National Sports Collectors Convention, which begins today in Chicago and runs through Sunday.

Mickey Mantle’s sons are first guests revealed for Panini VIP Party

The Mick’s sons are heading to Chicago.

Panini America revealed on Monday that David and Danny Mantle are the first two guests to attend the Panini VIP Party.

First Buzz: 2017 Panini Immaculate Collection baseball cards

What: 2017 Panini Immaculate Collection baseball cards
Arrives: Aug. 16
Box basics:  Five autographs or memorabilia cards per six-card box (eight boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here to view

What’s buzz-worthy: Immaculate returns to the diamond with a number of big names but it’s three New York Yankees who will steal the attention for now — Aaron Judge, Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle.

Keep reading for more info and a full gallery of images released so far.

Bill Madden collection auction closes Tuesday with legendary items

If you’re a younger collector, you may not know the name, but the memorabilia of a long-time (and Hall of Fame honored) sports writer is headed to the auction block.

He’s Bill Madden — fun fact for collectors is that he literally helped Donruss build its roster of Rated Rookies in 1984 Donruss — and a number of his treasures will be sold next week.

Among the more than 400 lots will be photos, programs, signed items, signed books, press pins and more from some of the biggest names in MLB history.

First Buzz: 2017 Leaf Pearl sports cards (updated)

What: 2017 Leaf Pearl
Arrives: Late February 2018
Box basics: 11 cards per box (two boxes per case)

What’s buzz-worthy: Leaf’s next release will be a “product that will change the industry landscape” and “will set the standard for aesthetic beauty and legendary content by which all products will be measured.”

 

Board Buzz: Must-read threads on the Blowout Forums (June 6)

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 baseball finds and discussions today.

Panini Eternal launches Mickey Mantle commemorative set today

The Mick’s return to baseball cards continues today with Panini Eternal. 

Mickey Mantle‘s MLB debut came today in 1951 and that starts the “Mantle Monday” project, which will see a new card of the Hall of Famer released each week for the next four months.

Buzz Break: 2017 Spring Fever baseball card repack

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 Spring Fever baseball cards repack (created by MJ Holding Co.)
Where from: Walmart ($11.98)

What was in this one? Keep reading …

First Buzz: 2017 Donruss Optic baseball cards

What: 2017 Donruss Optic baseball cards
Arrives: July 19
Box basics:  Two autographs per 20-pack box (12 boxes per case)
Checklist: Click here to view

What’s buzz-worthy: Panini’s sophomore release for Optic baseball cards includes the return of Mickey Mantle to packs for the first time under an exclusive deal.

Keep reading for more info and a full gallery of images released so far.

First Buzz: 2017 TRISTAR Quest autos

What: 2017 TRISTAR Quest autographs
Arrives: June 7
Box basics: Five envelopes per lockbox — each with an autographed flat or memorabilia redemption inside (three lockboxes per case)

What’s buzz-worthy: This TRISTAR line will be limited to only 50 cases of autographed items from around the sports world and beyond.

Keep reading for more.

Mickey Mantle returns to baseball cards with new Panini America deal

The Mick is back on cardboard.

Mickey Mantle, the icon of a generation of collectors, will be back on baseball cards soon as Panini America has reached a deal with the estate of the Hall of Famer and former New York Yankee who died in 1995. It will be his first cardboard since 2012 when his family let their deal with Topps expire.

The deal is expected to be formally revealed today with at least one card perhaps coming immediately via the Panini Eternal program, though his sons David and Danny disclosed the deal to Yahoo Sports’ Big League Stew in an interview.

First Buzz: 2017 TRISTAR Odyssey Baseball autographs

What: 2017 TRISTAR Odyssey Baseball autographs
Arrives: April 12
Box basics: One autographed item per envelope (16 envelopes per case)

What’s buzz-worthy: TRISTAR brings its autograph chase to baseball with a product limited to only 75 cases and the potential for some big names and some big items.

Keep reading for more information and a gallery of the possibilities here.

Buzz Poll: Which Mickey Mantle item topped the auction block?

Mickey Mantle dominated the auction block on Saturday night in Dallas as Heritage Auctions‘ Platinum Night sports sale was topped by a pair of Mantles with very different attributes.

Yet both had very high demand.

Both items you see here — one a PSA 8 copy of his 1952 Topps card and the other being Mantle’s New York Yankees road jersey worn when he hit his 535th career home run on Sept. 19, 1968 — are six-figure items.

One went for $660,000 with a buyer’s premium while the other went for $486,000 and with that pair of facts we have these two questions for you.

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Spoiler: Highlight the text after this on this line to learn more. The card sold for more.

Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com. 

>> Click here to buy baseball cards on BlowoutCards.com.

Board Buzz: Must-read threads on the Blowout Forums (Feb. 19)

The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are five threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What’s Buzzing Today: Trading Cards artwork, vintage cards, collecting Canseco & more.

First Buzz: 2017 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures Platinum auto baseballs

What: 2017 TRISTAR Hidden Treasures Platinum autographed baseballs
Arrives: March 22
Box basics: One autographed baseball per box (12 boxes per case)

What’s buzz-worthy: TRISTAR’s autographed baseball chase brand is back for 2017 with a new batch of stars and legends along with specialty balls guaranteed per case that help add variety to the chase.

The biggest chase of them all this year? Keep reading for that and a gallery of what’s in this one.

Derek Jeter Retrospective cards coming to 2017 Topps Archives

It looks like 2017 Topps Archives will be a home for The Captain.

Topps revealed on Thursday its plans for a Retrospective set for former New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter that will be found in packs of the throwback brand.

The set will showcase Jeter’s iconic cards from his career — with autographs.

First Buzz: 2017 Historic Autographs Kings baseball cards

What: 2017 Historic Autographs Kings baseball cards
Arrives: Feb. 22
Box basics: Two autographs per box (four boxes per case)

What’s buzz-worthy: The first Historic Autographs release of the year goes high-end with a release that will be limited to just 80 cases.

Keep reading for more information.

First Buzz: 2017 Leaf Pop Century Signed Photograph Edition

What: 2017 Leaf Pop Century Signed Photograph Edition
Arrives: Late March
Box basics: One autographed 8-by-10 photo per box (12 boxes per case)

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

Unique Mickey Mantle autograph among cool items in Steiner auction

Sometimes they just want a unique autograph.

Some vintage collectors out there may have a little bit of everything, which leaves them searching for unique pieces once they have all of the basics from when a past player was on the field. Sure, there are countless new cardboard creations for icons like Mickey Mantle, but this piece on the auction block from Steiner Sports is a bit different than the typical Mantle autograph.