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The National - please share your finds?!?!?

I'd just like to ask those who are lucky enought o be attending this years Nationals to take pity on those of us who can't make it and amybe jot down some of your better finds over the next few days.

At least we can live vicariously through others!!!!
Frank Bakka
Sets - 1970, 1971 and 1972
Always looking for 1972 O-PEE-CHEE Baseball in PSA 9 or 10!

lynnfrank@earthlink.net
outerbankyank on eBay!

Comments

  • 1420sports1420sports Posts: 3,473 ✭✭✭
    me too Frank - there are three cards that I have been looking for (see thread Looking .... still looking) that I know I would have been able to get

    I will be at the Atlantic City show next year
    collecting various PSA and SGC cards
  • mcastaldimcastaldi Posts: 1,206 ✭✭✭
    Now that you mention it, I already promised Erik all the 72T PSA9s I get.

    JUST KIDDING!

    Besides, I'll be too busy looking through boxes of 75s and 78s to pay too much attention to 72s image

    Mike
    So full of action, my name should be a verb.
  • FBFB Posts: 1,684 ✭✭
    Mike,

    I'm just looking to hear what kinda neat deals people come up with. I don't care whether they're 72's, 64's or 54 Red Hearts!!!

    And if you do give Erik all of the 72 PSA 9's - remind him that he still owes me 5!!! Preferably the Mays IA, Aaron IA, Carew IA, Bench IA and I'll take a common (Schaal IA)!!!
    Frank Bakka
    Sets - 1970, 1971 and 1972
    Always looking for 1972 O-PEE-CHEE Baseball in PSA 9 or 10!

    lynnfrank@earthlink.net
    outerbankyank on eBay!
  • Has the date and location of the 2003 National been set? I know it's in Atlantic City, but where?

    Mark
  • I only spent a few hours at the National on Thursday (work commitments kept me from spending more time there), but here are a few of my favorite "finds":
      There was a huge crowd around one dealer's table (I don't know his name) who had stacks of PSA-graded cards for $5 each. Most were modern ('80s-'90s) stars and rookies that had SMR values of between $8-$20. He also had a $10 each stack that was full of PSA 9 1970 Kelloggs (I saw Gibson, Kaline, Sutton and perhaps Killebrew and McCovey . . . it all kind of blurred together). I purchased a number of 1985 Topps PSA 8 cards (Ryan, Ripken, Rose, Schmidt) to enhance my set, and a 1977 PSA 8 Jack Clark rookie -- all at $5 each.
      I saw lots of nice 1969-70 and 1970-71 basketball sets at good prices. Three different dealers had the 1970-71 set for under $700 (I think it books for $1400?). Is vintage basketball a little soft right now?
      The usual big dealers had nice displays. Maestro had most of the key items from their upcoming auction, as did Andy Madec. BMW had a nice display with some incredible high-grade Old Judges. The building was crowded, but not packed, and it seemed to me that people were spending money, but the weekend attendance figures will decide whether this National was a success.
  • nnpopp - I was also at that table that had the bargain 9's and purchased just a couple of them. But I did get some of the Kelloggs 9's for $10 and a Mays 9 for $20. But that was, far and away, the best "bargain" I could find there as many prices were over Ebay amounts even.

    Most of the dealers, even those Ive done notable business with, were not too eager to bargain. However that was kind of expected as it was just Thursday, and all of them asked me to call them after the show.

    You failed to mention the low point of the show: Mr. Mint was autographing these boxes and passing them out. I couldnt figure out what they were until I got close and saw he was handing out bobble head dolls of HIMSELF. Where would you put those? (Rhetorical question - No need to start a new thread).

    I also got to stop by the PSA display and meet Joe O. and BJ.

    The high spot was just being able to see all of the incredible cards there. There were so many of museum quality. The sensory overload was fabulous.
  • Gobbled up a '71 #12 Johnny Callison 8 (POP 4), along with a super nice #520 Tommy John….But, the biggest find was a Rose 8 razor that gave me that gave me that warm fuzzy felling as soon as the dealer handed it to me… No '71 9’s to be found on Thursday except for a Clemente 8 in a 9 case…Also, picked up some slab worthy raws. Most notable a Nash, Spence, and McDaniel. Over all good prices and good people..... and for Frank, made a big surge on the ’72 set by snagging a nice Blyleven.....


  • I found a good supply of overpriced hot-dogs. image
  • Ahh, the National. Missed it this year after making the last two.

    I'm curious to know if there are any vintage dealers selling high grade RAW commons. I've noticed at least two of my "favorite" past National sellers are now selling PSA graded commons on ebay. image

    I bought several from Jerry Hersh last year and about 80-90% came back 8's. He didn't have any graded cards in his case and said he didn't own any. (He's NOT one of the two dealers I've recently noticed on ebay selling graded stuff.)

    If the raw stuff has dried up at the National, I'm busted. Not at all economical to build a set buying already graded stuff.
  • Mark, I'm sure the National in AC will be in the brand new convention center.
    www.LloydWTaylor.com
    Vintage Baseball Cards
    Sales and Ebay Consignment Service
    email
    Lloyd_Taylor_Vintage_Cards -- on Ebay
  • The attendees that had the Premier club passes received the Britany Spears cards (that were quite popular from what I saw).

    I have to admit I did get the Mr. Mint Bobbin' head doll. Now what do I do with it?

    I too saw the table with all the PSA 'bargains' and came away with five cards including some a Clemens 85 Topps in PSA 7 for $5. How could I go wrong? I also bought a 70 Kelloggs McCovey PSA 9 for $10. That particular table was a beehive of activity--literally a dozen people standing two deep around thousands of PSA graded cards.

    There were basically no other graded Kellogg cards to be found anywhere. I saw one '71 Kelloggs Clemente in PSA 9 for $350 and an 8 for $100. There were a couple of dealers breaking up 70 Kelloggs sets but the key cards and tougher commons didn't appear to be gradeable.

    There were lots of sets from the 70's and 80's and really good prices. From what I could tell it looked like centering was a problem on the discounted sets but not corners.

    The biggest surprise for me was the number of ungraded but 'gradeable' cards from the 1950's and 1960's. I had no idea there were that many cards in that condition for sale at any one time.
  • This was my first national and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I knew it was going to be large but when I got halfway through the first huge room I discovered there were 2 more - WOW. Lots of cards just not enough money. I ugraded 15 of my 1965's to psa 9's but failed miserably in my submission for 3 of the cards that I still needed. But the highlight of the show was dinner on Friday night. Several of us went to dinner at Gibson's across the street and had a wonderful time. I learned so much from Bob (gaspipe) and really enjoyed many of his stories. Ron Rit...... (sorry Ron but I have no idea how to spell your last name) absolutely floored me with his collection. He has built the 51 bowman set in 8 months in psa 8 or better with the exception of 10 cards. I'm not sure I could buy 10 cards in 8 months much less almost complete it. In fact, his second 1968 set is number 3 on the registry. Frank Smith and Mike Castaldi have the searching and grading of 1970's cards pretty much mastered and how know how to build a very nice set without having to invest ten's of thousands of dollars. I really need to learn more from them.

    I was on the opposite side of the table from Dan Markel, Eric (I'm terrible with names Eric but the #2 1972 man), and Alan (acowa) so I didn't get to talk with them as much but would have really liked to. Anyways, it was a fantastic time and great to see the faces behind the icons. That's for a great evening guys and special thanks to Mike for setting everything up. And Mike I would have never known that you used to be female if I hadn't of meet you in person. (that's just a joke.) I hope to do this again next year.

    Wayne
    1955 Bowman Football
  • murcerfanmurcerfan Posts: 2,329 ✭✭
    Scored:
    -psa 6 '54 wilson franks Paul Richards.
    -psa 8 '71 Greatest Moments Mays and Aparicio.
    -PSA 7 '71 GM Jackson.
    -1955 Stahl-Meyer Phil Rizzuto.
    -the elusive "spook" Jacobs '55 Rodeo Meats to close out the set( from an unbelievable cache of nearly 100 Verkman pulled out of Topeka).
    -'68 3-d Maloney in psa 9.
    -3 more PSA 10 '69 supers and a Gibson 9.
    - 3 crease free '53 Glendales (an unusual amount were on hand...never remember seeing so many.........now that my set is complete of course).

    Got to meet and greet BJ Searls.........and am telling you all to be nice to her because she is a very, very nice gal.
    Saw the Angels play the Chisox after a harrowing ride on the "EL", which inspired a next day round of overgrown kids taking hacks in the MLB Roadshow batting cage (pulled a ribcage muscle)
    Had the best steak I can remember at Gibson's (chicago cut - and yes, Shane....there was a hard thing in the middle) , ran up a $400 bill, followed by Rush street bedlam and a bad hangover.
    Rode to the airport with Marshall this a.m. and had an interesting chat about "Golden Age" regionals and some of his scores.
    overall, attendance seemed very low, as did the harvest of the real "tough stuff".
    but.............. Chicago was a blast and the weather was perfect.

    PS- lots and lots of Football material, along with '70 and '71 Kellogg's were on the floor.
    '64 Giants cards were everywhere, stacks of raws and many many graded copies (i know you guys like those things).
  • I found 14 T205s in gorgeous condition, which is VERY unusual any more. An older gentlemen hadn't done any shows for the last couple of years (and was only at The National on Thursday this time), and he had piles of the Golden Ones. Also got about 60 '57 Topps in very nice condition for about $6 a piece from another family booth. I was very pleased with my haul.

    I, too, met BJ and found her to be very charming. Guys, her feelings WERE hurt by the bruhaha over the free grading issue. I think she sincerely means well, and I hope folks her will cut her a little more slack.

    Met Kit Young, Bill Maestro, the Unopened Pack Kid or something like that, Mark whatsisname (he was nice and helpful), got a free auto from Walt Frazier, a REAL basketball player, and Guy LaFluer one of the Greats. Both very pleasant guys.

    I also had a fantastic filet at Gibson's, but couldn't hang to go to Rush St. I guess I'm starting to get up there in years.

    All in all, a great show, and a lot of fun.
  • i picked up 14 psa 8's for my 1964 topps hockey set, 5 psa 8's and 1 psa 9 for my 1965 topps football set and 8 psa 8's for my 1953 bowman football set and i even went home with $56.00 in my pocketimage.
    Check out my new web site: Monsters of the Gridiron
  • StumpStump Posts: 927


    Well just got back home picked up 45 68 8's and 9's for my set I hope to move into a solid 4 spot behind Ron. It was nice to meet Wayne at a table as he was trying to nab a PSA 9 Perez. He guided me to a table that had alot of 68 psa 9 cards. I didnt get a chance to meet Ron but just missed hime several times at differant tables. I believe the dealers love this guy as he is very aggressive in his buying. Hats off to him I hear great things about him wearever I go. Thanks again Wayne for the help in the show I hope you complete soon. I will continue to look and help you with your 65 set. I also picked up 30 differant psa 8 1971 baseball for a bargain price . I think the dealer was having a bad show so I guess I will start this set. I think I am in for a long ride on this one.


    Stump(Dave Jacobs)
    Visit my site @ www.djjscards.com
  • The show was great and I found some great deals. I picked up a 1961 Billy Williams Rookie PSA 7 NQ for ten dollars. I felt like the man was giving it to me. I also found fifteen 1968 high numbers all graded PSA 9 NQ. I bought a 1963 fleer number 1 Steve Barber ungraded for $30.00 that I'm sure will go an eight without any problem. My friend who is a dealer and was set up at the show had a killer deal walk in off the street. He bought a 1972 OPC baseball wax box but the killer was the man also had a 1960 Tattoo box full of unopened packs. Now that was a find!!!! One of the best Nationals for me in about the last ten years.
    I collect the 1960 and 1961 Nu Card issues. I also enjoy the 1959 Fleer Three Stooges.
  • gaspipe26gaspipe26 Posts: 1,614 ✭✭✭
    The best thing I found at the National was the fellow collectors I had the pleasure of having dinner with on Friday, besides that I did get another 1969 White Letter in 8 that I needed. I did find a few raw 69's that are very tough. I found a Kekich that would of made 8, but I lost it too. I'm such a dope. I also found a very nice 69 Satriano that should 8 but you never know.
  • Found a PSA 9 1969 Paul Popovich "C" variation. Also, obtained about 5-6 1969 cards that will grade "9" that I needed. About 15 strong 8/weak 9s that I need as well. Wonderfully centered Lindy McDaniel(will grade a 6 or 7) as well as Mike Kekich (will grade a 6 or 7). I did not find a single Mike Shannon (I suspect someone nabbed them all on Thursday). No 1969 Tom Satrianos to write home about.

    Ron
    Ron Sanders Jr.
  • sixdartsixdart Posts: 821 ✭✭
    I did not think I would be able to attend this year, however, I was able to go Saturday. I would have loved to meet some of the PSA forum members - especially at the Nationals. I had a great time and was almost overwhelmed at first. The overall attendance Saturday was low? I was able to navigate through the crowd with ease. Apparently many attending the show that day were autograph seekers - I had to a get glimpse of Cal Ripken autograph line and see who was paying that fee. image

    I did run into fellow EBAY competitors at a few tables. We were able to exchange a few battle scars from sniping one another. The ones that were able to complete their rounds earlier, pointed out select tables were they had discovered the nicer material for our sets of interests. One collector made a great run raw of '55 Topps AA Football SPs. I did think about ambushing him before he made his run over to the PSA booth.

    Meeting the PSA staff was a great experience. Met B J and Joe for the first time. It was nice to place a face with a name after all their recent efforts - I extended a special thank you greeting to both of them. Many of my cards were reholdered with an unexpected few at no charge and I received a couple free PSA storage boxes to carry them home with. Some of the PSA holders had quality control issues that they felt could be taken care, I didn't even need to ask. Their booth had the usual free SMR monthly and a free Autograph Collectors Monthly. I walked away with the impression that PSA was putting forth a concentrated effort to provide a great customer experience to each and every individual - I was very happy and impressed with the efforts of the entire staff. Because of my late entrance to the show and the PSA submission volume, having my purchases graded that same day was not available.

    I was able to network with many vintage football dealers regarding PSA and quality ungraded material. I located (4) tough 1948 Bowman Football PSA 8 SP cards, (7) PSA 8 commons and (2) HOF RCs from the same issue. I didn't realize how scarce vintage graded football was until this show - in any condition. There is hope though with the dealers that I met, nice ungraded material was hard to find, but priced at book and had fairly accurate grading on their condition. The veteran dealers know there stuff and were willing to negotiate all prices. Not too many warmed up to the idea of trading, which was a little disappointing, cash was king.

    As with all attending, there was not enough money. I almost broke down and purchased a beautiful '33 Goudey Sport Kings RED GRANGE for an amazing price of $1,650. However, like most of us, I have to come back home and answer to the wife?

    It was also cool to see all the dealers that advertise in the national publications. I had to visit the BMW booth to glimpse an appearance of Michael. I was going to say hello but SGC was dropping off some graded cards to their booth. By the conversation, it appeared that the person, who I will assume was Michael (based upon photos of his brother), was slightly disappointed with a few of the grades. He thought the cards might have had a shot at a higher grade. Nothing major, however, I did not want to be rude an interrupt their discussion on the grades.

    I was surprised to see one dealer selling only BCCG cards. There were a couple of BGS only dealers - selling mostly modern material.

    I also stopped by the SGC booth and had cards reholdered. They have recently switched plastic companies and have thicker holders - which is an improvement. I had the same reception from SGC as I did at the PSA booth. I had many questions for them and they took the time to answer, all without interruption. My big questions was when will the SGC registry set by up - I have been dying to get an answer on this. There is no date set, but I could tell from the efforts that SGC has a sense of urgency on this issue. They are very aware of what it has done for PSA in recent months and were actively seeking feedback to get everyone's opinion. I did see from their current advertising pamphlet that states they use museum-quality acid-free labels and all materials are inert. SGC also now lists a toll-free number customer service. I am not sure if this new information to some, but it was to me.

    GAI's presence was not as in your face as I would have thought. There were dealers that had some of their cards but not much talk of support for them. I had one dealer tell me that he was asked for 100-150 cards to be GAI graded - this was at no charge to the dealer. He was not satisfied with the sales results on EBAY. I do not think he would ever chose them again.

    I did miss the Britney Spears swatch-card door prize twice. That would had really made the trip! There was only one surprise to me this year. There were no graded Walter Payton cards to be found, except his rookie, with the Nationals in his back yard!? I was hoping to fills some holes in my Walter Payton PSA registry set. image

    I hope everyone will share their experience this year? There were so many nice PSA singles around - I have to start a baseball set now as well. If there is no strike?

    P.S. What is considered the second largest show after the Nationals?
  • 19541954 Posts: 2,898 ✭✭✭
    I found some nice items, but really none for my collection. I picked up around 200 raw cards from the 1971 Topps vending from a dealer. I gave them to PSA on Friday for grading. I found a 1956 Andy Carey PSA 8 for resale thinking that it was the same one on the Message board that sold for $1300. I think I messed up!!!
    Many cards way over SMR, tons of dealers for such a small crowd. Nice to see old friends best of all.

    1954
    Looking for high grade rookie cards and unopened boxes/cases
  • dudedude Posts: 1,454 ✭✭
    Ron,

    Thanks for sharing your finds. Congrats on picking up a nice 1969 Topps #254 Joe Schultz. That's the only card in the '69 Pop Report that has yet to be graded.

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As for me, I found the following at the National:
      1967 Topps Baseball: #6 Simpson and #399 Worthington (both ungraded and hope both will grade 8). This leaves me with needing only 4 cards to complete the set. I also need to upgrade my Dave Bristol #21 from a 7 to an 8.
      1968 Topps Baseball: I found 16 raw cards I needed. If all grade 8, then I only need 34 cards to complete the set. Perhaps a few may grade 9. I also bought seven PSA 9 commons. I got a good price ($450) and two were 1 of 2 pop and the rest were Pop 5 or less.
      1969 Topps Baseball: I found 74 raw cards I needed. Many were just broken from a beautiful, well-centered, high-end set. The backs were bright and clean. I hope to get at least a dozen 9's out of it. If all grade 8 or better, I will be at 69% on the Basic Set.
      1972 Topps Baseball: I found 5 raw cards I needed. All have a shot at 9. I guess we'll see what PSA thinks.
      1971 Topps Basketball: I found 9 raw cards I needed. All are probably hi-end 8's. If all grade 8, I will be at 17% on the set.
      1967 Philly Football: I found 2 raw cards I needed. Both are probably 8's. If both grade 8, I will be at 25% completion on the set. This set is turning out to be much tougher than I imagined.
  • getupkidgetupkid Posts: 47 ✭✭
    Frank,

    My only dissappointment of the show was that you didn't show up. I had a great time especially at the dinner. Anyway my greatest finds will probably mean more to you than most other collectors so here it goes!!

    1972 Topps:Text I found 2 Ken Hendersons nicely centered and both should both pull and 8, a beautiful Jack Billingham, a beautiful Ken Holtzman, a Tim Foli In Action that could pull a 9, 2 Jim Rolands that should pull 8's, 2 Alan Gallaghers that are centered and are at least 8's with a shot at a 9, a beautiful Steve Hovley (last high # that I need), basically I'm going to complete my set 8 or higher with the exception of one card... Paul Popovich.....

    Picked up a beautiful 1971 Mays PSA 8, 64 Giants: Mays, Clemente, Aaron, Mantle, Gibson, and Killebrew that could pull 9's, over 700 clean commons from 65, 66, 67, 68, 71, and of course 72. A beautiful Willie McCovey RC!!, Numerous NM/MT stars from the 60's and 70's. and last but not least 150 autographed 1991 Upper Deck autographed cards for my 91 autographed set. 64 Maris 45 record and 3 Harry Carey cancelled checks.

    EJ
    1972 Topps Baseball PSA 8 or higher/1978 Topps Baseball PSA 9 or higher.
  • mcastaldimcastaldi Posts: 1,206 ✭✭✭
    OK. . .here goes. . .

    * Roughly 10-12 already-graded 1975T PSA8s
    * About 50 ungraded & submittable 1978T
    * Seven ungraded 1975T Minis - all with legit shots at 9s
    * About 120 ungraded 1975s - all should easily be 8s. Included in these are two Nolan Ryans. . .a Brett RC. . .three Brock HL. . .two Marshall HL. . .Rick Monday (pop 1 in 8 and 1 in 9). . .two Skip Lockwood (pop 1 in PSA8 with no 9s). . .and several other low-pop cards
    * Other misc. ungraded stars that should pull 8s - 69 Bench. . .69 Palmer. . .68 Seaver. . .73 Aaron
    * I decided to start the 1968T Game set in PSA8 and picked up three already-graded cards for that - Carew, F Robinson, and Kaline (gives me 9% complete). . .and about 20 or so ungraded Gamers

    As far as cards, here's what made my National. . .
    On Friday, I found a VERY nice 1975T Aaron (#660). I paid a fair price and put in my box with my other stuff. When I got home Friday nite, I discovered that between my Palm Pilot and digital camera, the case on the Aaron had become pretty badly scuffed. So I needed it reholdered. As I looked at the card more closely, I was REALLY impressed and thought it was maybe undergraded. I tried to get a few trusted opinions and they tended to think I had a 50/50 shot at an upgrade. So decided to take it to Danny to see what he thought. I didn't get my hopes up since Danny normally comes up with the smallest excuse not to upgrade a card. Either way, I figured I'd at least reholder it and it would be a super-high-end 8. Well. . .Danny looked at it and took it back. After 10 minutes or so, it came back as a 9. Outstanding!

    But. . .while I picked up some awesome cards, what really made my National was meeting so many of the friends I've made over the past year!

    Mike
    So full of action, my name should be a verb.
  • carkimcarkim Posts: 1,166 ✭✭
    I found a VERY nice 1975T Aaron (#660)

    Mike showed me this card and it is a BLAZER.

    Nice job Mike.

    Carlos
  • FBFB Posts: 1,684 ✭✭
    Well...

    Its now official!!! I am jealous of the time that you all had in Chicago!!!

    My time on the beach in North Carolina was nice and relaxing - but I can't wait till next July in Atlantic City!!!!!!
    Frank Bakka
    Sets - 1970, 1971 and 1972
    Always looking for 1972 O-PEE-CHEE Baseball in PSA 9 or 10!

    lynnfrank@earthlink.net
    outerbankyank on eBay!
  • mcastaldimcastaldi Posts: 1,206 ✭✭✭
    Frank> When you told me that you wouldn't be coming out for National, I cut you some slack. If you miss next year tho. . .

    image

    Mike
    So full of action, my name should be a verb.
  • qualitycardsqualitycards Posts: 2,811 ✭✭✭
    Mike - Great job w/ the Aaron!
    Are you planning to attend Atlantic City next July?...jay
  • mcastaldimcastaldi Posts: 1,206 ✭✭✭
    Jay> If I had to say right now, I am planning on getting myself out to AC next year. Still a year away, so I can't say for 100% but you get the idea.

    Mike
    So full of action, my name should be a verb.
  • qualitycardsqualitycards Posts: 2,811 ✭✭✭
    Mike - I've already convinced my wife that we need a vacation at the Jersey shore, so its in place, and I'll be there. Possibly to set up, if not for 2 or 3 days. Hope to see you...jay
  • The best way to do it is simply to plan your vacation to the "shore" with no mention of the show. Then do your best impression of total surprise when you discover that a show just happens to be there.
  • VarghaVargha Posts: 2,392 ✭✭
    "Really honey? You thought I said 'shore'? I said show"
  • Jay - Make sure your wife wasn't thinking you want to go to Jersey Shore, PA. image
    Please visit my eBay auctions at gemint
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