Rank the Top 3 Sports Card/Memorabilia Shows
JimMeant
Posts: 342 ✭✭✭
After attending my 6th National this past week I started thinking a bit. Other than the National, what are the best shows in the USA? I know of bigger shows in Chicago (the old Sun Times show) & Chantilly, VA.
In particular, I would focus mostly on the amount of dealers and buyers that turn out. Not so much on autograph guests, comic books, etc.
So, rank the top 3 sports card shows in your opinion.
-Collecting anything vintage
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Thought this might generate a little more discussion LOL
Don't feel bad, most of threads I create end up like this.....
It's a tough question to answer. I'm guessing that outside of the National, most people tend to only go to shows that are local to them. I can only vouch for shows in St. Louis or Chicago and I don't think most of those will be on the list outside of possibly the show in the spring in Rosemont.
I already miss the National. I didn't go, but I miss the festive atmosphere that it created around here. I wish the National lasted longer, say maybe a month. It took my mind to another magical land. Now my mind is back to my normal life - being chased around my home and beaten with a fly swatter by my wife for overspending on Ebay cards.
Hiya Jim
I don't keep up with that kind of stuff.
If I have to go on memory and people who know of these shows might be able to chime in and say if still around.
In NY - The Gloria Rothstein show (suburbs north of NYC? - have never gone) was very popular. Also - and may be the same venue? White Plains show.
On Long Island - Hofstra U used to have a show and also the Nassau Coliseum.
In N Philly - the Ft Washington Show was considered by many to be like the "little National."
For those in the Detroit area - the Gibralta Show was "the" place to go - especially for the modern guys - best prices from memory?
In Texas - Tristar puts on a show in Houston - I believe twice a year? Feb and Jun I believe. Have gone a few times. Sellers from all over the nation go - I remember the first time I went David Festberg from NY was there - he had no change for a soda and I bought him one from the machine - he went out of his way to return with cash.
Totally unfamiliar with the west coast - would like someone to chime in.
edit: ranking shows would unfortunately be above my pay grade.
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I have very fond memories of the Gibraltar show in Taylor, MI. At it's peak, it was a big as national show. Hockey is very popular in Detroit and that show moved the hockey card market, especially for modern. I was out of the hobby for a while and that show brought me back.
In the early 1980's, there was Jim Hawkins Spring Show in Plymouth, MI. That was the first time I saw Mr. Mint and his cash pile. I also made several hundred dollars at that show selling my stacks of Don Mattingly RCs. I knew this was the hobby for me!
The Shriners show in Boston in November.
It's not in the USA but the Sports Card and Memorabilia Expo in Ontario is the largest show every year in Canada.
http://sportcardexpo.com/
I used to go to those Gibraltar shows all the time. There also used to be an annual show in Plymouth, Mi that had some of the bigger dealers at it.