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# Friday, June 13, 2008
2008 Donruss Elite Football
Posted by Tuff Stuff

Welcome once again to Bustin' Wax. We've got something hot off the press this week - 2008 Donruss Elite Football, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The box we opened live (see video below) offered some nice surprises, so let's get started.

Today's Feature 2008 Donruss elite Football
  • 5 cards/pack
  • 20 packs/box ($110)

The cards lend themselves to those who enjoy flashy graphics and great color. In other words, they are very eye-appealing. We got some pretty good pulls, including a couple of Passing the Torch cards, a sweet dual auto and those coveted rookies. Here's the breakdown.

  • 1 College Ties Dual Auto: Michigan alums Shawn Crable and Jamar Adams (numbered to 50).
  • 1 Prime Target Jersey Swatch: Reggie Wayne (numbered to 199.
  • 1 Zoning Commission Jersey Swatch: Steven Jackson (numbered to 50).
  • 2 Passing the Torch: Roger Craig/Frank Gore (numbered to 800) and Dan Marino/Brett Favre (numbered to 400)
  • 4 Rookies: Anthony Alridge blue die-cut (numbered to 78), Sam Keller (numbered to 999), Allen Patrick (numbered to 999) and Steve Slaton (numbered to 999)
  • 1 base College Ties: Darren McFadden (numbered to 800)
  • 1 base Prime Targets: Randy Moss
  • 1 base Stars: Vince Young (numbered to 200)
  • 2 base Zoning Commission: Vince Young (numbered to 800) and Antonio Gates (numbered to 400)
  • 2 Elite Teams: Eagles McNabb, Westbrook and Curtis (numbered to 800) and Chiefs (Johnson, Gonzalez and Bowe (numbered to 400)
  • 2 base Chain Reaction: Brandon Jacobs (numbered to 800) and Willis McGahee (numbered to 800)
We got the requisite three auto/jerseys cards and other nice cards. There's a reason this brand has stuck around so long.

Check out the video:




Friday, June 13, 2008 8:23:36 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Thursday, May 29, 2008
2008 Topps Rookie Progression Football
Posted by Tuff Stuff

Welcome to another segment of Bustin' Wax. This week we have Tuff Stuff's Sports Collectors Monthly Editor Scott Fragale as a guest opener, providing some good insight into the NFL rookie class we had hoped to uncover in this product. Let's get started.

Today's Feature: 2008 Topps Rookie Progression Football
  • 5 cards/pack
  • 20 packs/box ($75)

The cards themselves are of nice stock with decent action shots. There is a lot of text on the back with just the last year's stats. The product itself is intriguing because of the rookies, and we did get some good pulls. We got about what was expected in terms of auto and memorabilia cards, too.

Here is the breakdown:
  • 1 Auto redemption: Glenn Dorsey single sig. bronze parallel
  • 1 Rookie auto: Kevin Smith (numbered to 20)
  • 1 Rookie Patch: Andre Woodson (numbered to 99)
  • 1 Veteran Patch: Steven Jackson (numbered to 299)
  • 5 "Veteran" cards: Braylon Edwards, Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, Willie Parker and Brandon Jacobs
  • 3 "Legends" cards: Troy Aikman, Drew Brees and Terrell Owens
  • 4 "Rookie" cards: Tom Zbikowski, Yvenson Bernard, Adarius Bowman (numbered to 399) and Eddie Royal (numbered to 299)
  • 6 parallels: Derrick Ward (numbered to 389), Jerricho Cotchery (numbered to 99), Daunte Culpepper (numbered to 299), Greg Jennings (numbered to 199), DeSean Jackson (numbered to 389) and Ali Highsmith (numbered to 299)

Click on "play" below to check out the video of the break:




Thursday, May 29, 2008 9:15:22 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Wednesday, May 21, 2008
2008 Upper Deck Draft Edition Football
Posted by Tuff Stuff

Welcome to another round of Bustin' Wax. Joining me on this break was Steve Bloedow, long-time staff member of Tuff Stuff and head of the pricing group. Having just come back from the NFL Rookie Premier, it was fun opening this this box because I had just seen a lot of these players.

Today's Feature: 2008 UD Draft Edition Football
  • 10 cards/pack
  • 16 pack/box ($90)

The product, hence the name, is loaded with rookies in nice action shots and collegiate stats on the backs. Oh, there are established pros, too, but that not why people are buying these packs.

The video below gives an overview of what we found, but here's a breakdown of the goodies:

  • 5 - Rookie autographs, just as advertised on the box: Adarius Bowman (red parallel, numbered to 125), Joe Flacco, Dorian Bryant, Dan Connor (not from the Roseanne TV show) and Erik Ainge.
  • 4 - Red parallels: Adarius Bowman, Jonathan Hefney, Donnie Avery and Tashard Coice.
  • 2- Bronze parallels (numbered to 175): Derrick Harvey and DeMario Pressley.
  • 3 - Pigskin Pairings: Jake Long/Sam Baker, DeJaun Tribble/Antoine Cason, Colt Brennan/Dennis Dixon and Brennan/Dixon red parallel.
  • 3 - Conference Clashes: Marion Manningham/J. Lehman, Dennis Dixon/Keith Rivers and Harry Douglas/Mike Jenkins
  • 4 - Alumni Association: DuJaun Tribble/Matt Ryan, Early Doucet/Glenn Dorsey, Brian Brohm/Mario Urrutia and Brohm/Urrutia red parallel
  • 5 - Campus Combos: Chad Henne/Mario Manningham, Jonathan Hefney/Erik Ainge, Peyton Hillis/Felix Jones, Vince Hall/Xavier Adibi (blue parallel) and Peyton Hillis/Felix Jones (red parallel)
  • 4 - Franchise Foundations: Fred Davis/John Carlson, Chris Long/Quentin Groves, Antoine Cason/Terrell Thomas and Cason/Thomas (red parallel)

All in all, this wasn't too bad. The Flacco card is pretty sweet and the cards themselves are very nice. There are a lot of sub-lines to keep things interesting.

Now, let's roll the tape:


 



Wednesday, May 21, 2008 7:49:20 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Monday, May 12, 2008
Donruss Classics 2007 Football
Posted by Tuff stuff

For this installment of Bustin' Wax, we went back to the archives a bit and busted open a a box of Donruss Classics 2007 Football. And we brought along the editor of Sports Collectors Digest, T.S. O'Connell. Check out the video, and we have the breakdown below.

Today's Feature: Donruss Classics 2007 Football
  • 5 cards per pack
  • 18 packs per box ($80 per box)

When you think classic cards, these fit right in, with a staid brown background and foil script. I like a few more stats on my cards, though the commentary on the back isn't bad. The subsets are all right. I liked the Classic Singles and Legend subsets, as did Mr. O'Connell, as you'll see.

Here's the breakdown:

  • 2 rookie autos (Tim Shaw and H.B. Blades (both numbered to 999)
  • 1 Sunday's Best jersey swatch, Andre Johnson (numbered to 250)
  • 1 Sunday's Best base card, LaDainian Tomlinson (numbered to 250)
  • 1 Daunte Culpepper parallel (numbered to 25)
  • 2 limited rookie cards, Dwayne Jarrett and Adam Carriker (both numbered to 1,499)
  • 1 Timeless Triples insert card, Romo, Owens and Glenn (numbered to 1,000)
  • 1 Legend insert card, Ron Mix (numbered to 999)
  • 1 Legendary Player insert card, Bill Bates (numbered to 100)
  • 1 Classic Singles insert card, Mike Singletary (numbered to 1,000)
  • 1 Monday Night Heroes insert card, Marc Bulger (numbered to 250)
  • 1 Saturday Stars insert card, Reggie Bush (numbered to 1,000).

Here's the unveiling:



 



Monday, May 12, 2008 3:25:14 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Friday, May 02, 2008
2008 Topps Co-Signers
Posted by Tuff stuff

Well, now we've done it. Attached with this Bustin' Wax edition is some video to go along with the summary below. It's sort of a trial balloon of what we'd like to do on this site, so bear with the quirks (including the abrupt ending).

Today's Feature: 2008 Topps Co-Signers Baseball
  • 6 cards per pack
  • 12 packs per box ($120 per box)

The cards themselves are all right. I think the base cards could use some more color. I was a little thrown off by the additional name and silhouette player on some of the parallel cards, but I get it with the Co-Signers theme. We achieved the expected parallel count (12) and got three autographs (if you include the redemption card).

Here's the breakdown:
  • 1 autograph redemption for Sam Fuld
  •  1 dual auto card of Jeff Francis and Ubaldo Jimenez (no edition number noted)
  •  1 auto card of boxer Shannon Briggs (no edition number noted)
  •  3 red parallels - Prince Fielder, J.R. Towles and Joe Blanton (numbered to 400)
  •  2 gold parallels - Richie Sexson and Vernon Wells (numbered to 150)
  •  2 blue parallels - Daisuke Matsuzaka and Mike Lowell (numbered to 250)
  •  2 bronze parallels - Bobby Abreu and Ken Griffey Jr. (numbered to 300)
  •  1 green parallel - Jake Peavy (numbered to 200)
  •  1 red super refractor - Vladimir Guerrero (numbered to 100)
  •  1 blue super refractor - Hideki Matsui (numbered to 50).
To see these cards being opened, see below:



Friday, May 02, 2008 10:37:10 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Bowman Sterling 2007-08 Basketball
Posted by Tuff stuff

Here's another edition of Bustin' Wax. We're going to try and add some video to the next Bustin' Wax, but until then, here's another rundown.

 Today's Feature: Bowman Sterling 2007-08 Basketball
  • - 5 cards per pack
  • - 6 packs per box ($250 per box)

Some initial views upon opening include a nice finish, good photos, but they have that curved aspect coming out of the pack again. I hate that. For those that like swatches (relics here), this is the box for you. There are two relic cards in every pack. However, with the design of the cards, I bet it's easy to get other cards caught in the nameplate area of the card, mangling it in the process.

All right, here's what we opened:
  • 1 Rookie redemption for a certified rookie base auto of Jameson Curry.
  • 1 Rookie box loader of Brandan Wright (numbered to 99)
  • 1 Dual Auto Relic of Andre Iguodala and Luke Walton (numbered to 85)
  • 1 Gold Refractor Relic of Kobe Bryant (numbered to 25)
  • 1 Black Refractor Relic of Luol Deng (numbered to 99)
  • 2 Auto Relics - Daquan Cook (numbered to 113) and Wilson Chandler (numbered to 218)
  • 2 Autos - Javaris Crittenton and Alando Tucker
  • 2 Jeff Green Refractors (numbered to 199 and 399)
  • 3 Relic Refractors - McGrady, Nowitzki, Brewer (numbered to 199)
  • 7 Base Relics (Richardson, Bynum, J. O'Neal, Noah, Brewer, Nick Young, Bargnani.

Nothing earth-shattering here. We got pretty much what was expected in the box.



Tuesday, April 29, 2008 8:46:42 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Upper Deck 2008 Baseball Spectrum
Posted by Tuff stuff

Welcome to another edition of Bustin' Wax. After a week at the Hawaii Trade Conference (in Phoenix?), I'm a little behind with this blog and I apologize.

Some initial feedback received thus far requests per pack and per box pricing, along with some scans of best pulls. The pricing will be taken care of no problem. As for the scans, I'll usually add them later because I like to post the findings quickly, and sometimes scanning takes a little bit to get finished. With that, let's roll.

Today's feature: Upper Deck 2008 Baseball Spectrum
-  5 cards per pack (about $7.50 at hobby outlets)
- 20 packs per box (about $135 per box)

My initial thoughts on opening this product is that the set definitely lives up to its name. Flashy colors dazzle in the light, so kids will like it. The parallels really stand out. Backside stats cover the last eight years, which is something I like (entire career listings are even better).

Here's what we found:

  • 2 autographed cards: Rookie sigs of Bill White (Rangers) and Lance Broadway (White Sox). This lives up to the two autographs per box average.
  • 7 Spectrum Swatches: Way more than the two memorabilia cards per box average. Pulls include:
    • Jorge Posada (numbered to 20)
    • Joba Chamberlain (numbered to 35)
    • Jose Reyes (numbered to 50)
    • Jerad Weaver (numbered to 75)
    • Adrian Beltre  (numbered to 75)
    • Chris Carpenter  (numbered to 75)
    • Andruw Jones (numbered to 99)
  • 6 Derek Jeter Retrospectrum cards (including a parallel numbered to 99)
  • 5 orange parallels numbered to 399: Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Zito, Aramis Ramirez, David Wright and Victor Martinez.
  • 5 Yankee Stadium Legacy cards
  • 2 Spectrum of Stars (better than the one-per-box average): Autos of musicians Steven Sweet of Warrant and Miljenko Matijevic of Steelheart.

Wow, this was an action-packed box. I'm guessing not all boxes are like this, but it was fun opening. I don't know about anyone else, but I get a little excited seeing swatches with such low runs.

As for the musicians, well, I wasn't expecting that, and I'm not sure those two in particular added much to the box for me. but it's something different I guess.

Here are some pix:

            


            


         


Tuesday, April 22, 2008 9:38:25 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [3]
# Tuesday, April 08, 2008
2008 Topps Finest Baseball
Posted by Tuff stuff

Welcome to the latest Bustin' Wax feature. We're going to try and update more on this site, as suggested by some of you. There is a lot of product coming out, so we'll get it posted so you can share your thoughts on the product, too.

Today's Feature: 2008 Topps Finest Baseball
- 5 cards per pack
- 3 six-pack mini boxes per box (18 packs total)

First off, and this might be just me, but all of the cards are already curved straight out of the packaging. What happened to flat cards?



Here's what we found in this box:

  • 3 autographed cards; Mark Ellis, Josh Anderson and Chris Seddon (living up to the one auto card per mini box promise). The Anderson auto is also a blue refractor numbered to 399.
  • 4 Blue Refractors (numbered to 299): Vladimir Guerrero (Finest Moments), J.J. Hardy, Seth Smith and Chris Young.
  • 2 Green Refrractors (numbered to 199): Tom Glavine and Noah Lowry.
  • 1 Black Refractor (numbered to 99): Joba Chamberlain.
  • 1 Gold Refractor (numbered to 50): Brian Bannister (Finest Moments).
  • 1 Rookie Redemption Card (#5 of 10). Topps just announced the first one in the Redemption Set - Johnny Cueto. These will be mailed out after Aug. 30.

We also received nine other Finest Moments cards and six Topps Team Favorites cards. I don't mind the Team Favorites cards with the color team logos in the background. Younger audiences will really like that.

Overall this is a decent product. Nice, thick cards with good photography. The backs have a Finest Moment for the player from 2007, with the rookies having their "moment" in the minors.

These cards have a nice sheen, too, but don't look for patches and such. Now if we can get some of these cards without the curved features, all the better.

As a side note, I'll work on getting some photos up on here, too. But for the first batch, I just wanted to get the ball rolling.

- Tom Bartsch




Tuesday, April 08, 2008 6:07:19 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [1]
# Tuesday, March 25, 2008
2008 Upper Deck Series One
Posted by Tuff Stuff

2008 Upper Deck Series One

16 packs per box
20 cards per pack

Box 1

  • 2 Presidential Predictors 
  • 8 O-Pee-Chee inserts
  • 1 1997 UD Game Jersey
  • 1 Signature Sensations
  • 1 UD Game Jersey
  • 4 Yankee Stadium Legacy
  • 1 Gold Parallel numbered 20/99
Box 2
  • 2 Presidential Predictors
  • 8 O-Pee-Chee inserts
  • 1 1999 UD Game Jersey
  • 1 Season Highlights Autograph
  • 1 UD Game Jersey
  • 4 Yankee Stadium Legacy
  • 1 A Piece of History 500 Club

This popular product once again offers top notch action photography on a full bleed design. Each box produced one autograph and 2 Game Jerseys, with the top pull a Curt Schilling Season Highlights Autograph. The Piece of History 500 Club Jim Thome game-used bat was an added bonus from the second box. Upper Deck also went retro with their Game Jerseys, utilizing their designs from 1997-1999. A nice added touch to some of the most popular inserts from the late 1990's.
 
- Joe Clemens



Tuesday, March 25, 2008 4:23:07 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Wednesday, January 23, 2008
2007 Upper Deck Exquisite Rookie Signatures
Posted by Tuff Stuff

2007 Upper Deck Exquisite Rookie Signatures

One pack - 6 cards per pack

Box 1

  • Albert Pujols base card serial numbered to 99
  • Jeff Baker Rookie Autograph serial numbered to 150
  • Jeff Baker Rookie Autograph serial numbered to 25
  • Reflections Dual Autograph of Phil Hughes and Homer Bailey serial numbered 14/20
  • Josh Fields Exquisite Quad Materials Autograph serial numbered 64/199
  • Sean Gallagher Exquisite Imagery Autograph serial numbered 20/25
Box 2
  • Carl Crawford base card serial numbered 24/75
  • Justin Verlander Game Dated Debut Autograph serial numbered 19/20
  • Chris Stewart Exquisite Rookie Biography Autograph serial numbered 15/15
  • Bill Hall Quad Materials Autograph serial numbered 40/85
  • Ensemble Triple Autographs Sean Gallagher, Mike Fontenot and Rocky Cherry
  • Connor Robertson Rookie Autograph serial numbered 214/235

This extremely high end product features autographs from many of 2007's top rookies featuring Ryan Braun, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Tim Lincecum and Troy Tulowitzki, to name a few. Our two boxes didn't produce any "big hits", as the best card we pulled was a dual autograph of Phil Hughes and Homer Bailey. Detroit Tigers collectors will love the Justin Verlander Game Dated Debut Autograph, spotlighting his debut on July 4th, 2005.  One of the packs also had two Jeff Baker Rookie Autographs
 
- Joe Clemens



Wednesday, January 23, 2008 2:35:39 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [3]