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Are “Junk Wax” Cards About to EXPLODE?!

September 4, 2026 · 41 min

Show notes

Ryan Alford, Brian Ludden and Bella are back with another Collector Nation hobby roundtable covering the latest shifts in sports cards, from new technology to overlooked vintage and junk-wax-era cards.

The crew breaks down Topps Instant Packs after Ryan tries the new $100 format himself, debating what digital ripping of real physical cards could mean for collectors, hobby shops, breakers, vaulting and card resale. Ryan also explains why breakers may have an overlooked advantage when major cards are pulled and buyers want immediate liquidity.

They also talk about the massive card collection Ryan recently picked up, the unexpected Peyton Manning 1/1 hiding inside it, growing interest in older inserts and pop culture cards, the iconic Bo Jackson card, football season returning and what’s next for Collector Station and Collector Nation.

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Topics Covered

  • Topps Instant Packs
  • The future of sports card ripping
  • $100 four-card packs
  • Fanatics Collect and vaulting
  • Breaker buyback opportunities
  • The Peyton Manning 1/1 discovery
  • Buying massive card collections
  • Junk-wax-era cards gaining value
  • Shaq and Tim Duncan cards
  • Entertainment and pop culture cards
  • Collector Station’s Topps distribution
  • Football Debut Patches
  • Football season and Ludex scan data
  • Bo Jackson’s iconic 1990 card
  • Modern appreciation for junk-wax-era stars

🔗 Links Mentioned in This Episode

Collector Nation
Website: https://thecollectornation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectornation
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecollectornation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecollectornation

Articles Mentioned
Topps Chrome Black: https://thecollectornation.com/analysis/buyback-offers-breaker-leverage
Time Duncan https://thecollectornation.com/analysis/the-shaq-spike-is-real-it-is-structural-and-the-sports-card-lessons
Shaq: https://thecollectornation.com/analysis/shaquille-oneals-card-market-has-doubled-since-mid-july-and-nobody

Collector Station
Website: https://thecollectorstation.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecollectorstation

Ryan Alford
Website: https://www.ryanalford.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanalford

Brian Ludden / Ludex
Website: https://www.ludex.com
App: https://www.ludex.com/download
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ludexapp

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