The Fort Report

LuxuryWines

Well,

The kids are finally in bed and the cards are tucked safely away in the basement and I can now take some time to write my thoughts and musings on the Fort W Show.

First of all for those who were unaware Eric (EJ Guru) hooked myself and him up with Cameo cards both for this show. It was certainly a different experience sitting on the other side of the table.

From my perspective the show was very slow compared to the March show. Many dealers commented that this was not unusual as the MAy show is almost always the quietest of the 4. Friday night at times almost felt like a ghost town with very little action.

We saw several of our comrades in cards from the PSa boards stop by. notable appearances were made by GO Sox Box SOx(Tom Papa), 1420 Sports (Neil KAne), Quality Cards (Jay Wolt), SSJ28's(Steve S.) , TC Collection, Grceo1(Gary), 53KID(Bruce) and a couple of other characeters. ..... Noticably absent were the Set Builders contingent ... With no running of the Norty Sprint at quarter to 5, I guess their hearts just wern't in it (To protect the gulity they shall remain unnamed).

I submitted several cards ,some BAtter-Ups and a 74 Kellogg Monday that hopefully will finnish off that set for me in PSA 9.
Eric was able to pull a PSA 8 on the Robinson check list from a Friday afternoon submission. EJ is getting down to those precious few cards to fill his 67 set. I was able to help TC Collection finish off his 1973 Kellogg set which is always a good feeling, This was the 3 rd PSA set of a fellow board member that I was able to contibute the last card.

Topics of discussion were the cards that got away, getting outsniped on Mastro except for the extremely sleep derived here on the east coast and of course PSA. GAry and I lamented the tough cards of the 64 Stand-up Set (Baldshun and Gonder), and not being agressive enough on those tough commons early in the set building game....

Lots of people were asking for Star cards and high grade commons from the 53,55 and 56 sets. I also some some more growing interest in NON sports cards. And I also saw more dealers carrying non-sport cards and even some Hockey cards. I personally was able to find another POlo Grounds card for my personal set(Frank Baker) and some really sweet 1800's die-cuts.

Many kudo's to the dealers around us for helping Josh (Kaligas cards and Rich). It was also interesting to see dealers who would barely acknowledge me when I was just another collector now interested to know if I would wholesale some of my best cards to them. (read -give me a very deep discount on all your cards.) Also, Strong word of thanks to Jim from 707 Sports cards and Jay from Quality cards. For those who have not met him Jim is a great guy and a strong collector as well. He is always willing to give his vast knowledge freely and is just a real genuine guy. Jay was also extremely helpful as always and provided both Eric and I with some sage advice. M

After doing the show I can also say there numerous customers out there that are just as bad as the dealers we come to bash on these very boards. Barely acknowledging a good morning and being as talkative as a mute with a gag in their mouth........So I now know the door swings both ways....

Take care all Jeff

ctsoxfan

Thanks for the report. I was unable to attend this one due to a hectic work schedule, and hoped I didn't miss much. Guess it's on to September!

murcerfan

FB

Yeah - it was a tough deciscion to make - but since I'm back working and Friday I was "in training" I figured that I wouldn't mess around with a source of baseball card funds and opted out of this Fort.

I missed seeing the bunch of wayward hooligans at Norty's table on Friday night but what the heck... I'll see them all in September, right?

ejguru

Just to echo Jeff's comments--

Being on "the other side" was about as expected--very different, at times boring and restrictive, but not all that bad. I did enjoy it enough to say I'd do it again, and would certainly apply the knowledge gained from experience and what has been shared by hobbyists (THANKS).

I did have PSA look at some of my G.O.D. cards and was satisfied with how it turned out. (If you want details, email me). I am still convinced they are grading tougher than ever on the issues I submit/collect, and maybe that isn't a bad thing.

Looking forward to going back to the other side of the table (at least in Cleveland)--

EJ

GoSoxBoSox

Jeff,

Thanks again for the Harry Hooper. I'm looking forward to that Trosky!!!

Tom

qualitycards

I was at the show on Friday night and spent time around the Guru/Lux Wines compound (although no wine was offered), and every time I was talking to Jeff, I saw Guru taking in bushel baskets of money. For 2 rookies setting up, they had a nice array of PSA graded cards. I hope they become regulars. I spent time at PSA, and spent more money on the floor then I brought and had to borrow some $ from a dealer I know. I was budgeting my money OK til, Neil (1420) showed me a pile of T3's at Verkmans table, I picked up the nicest common he had, and submitted it to PSA a few minutes later.
Its a daunting task collecting T3's, when you do see them, they usually are beat up & have pin or tack holes through them, and if not a mid grade common will cost you several hundred dollars. Here is a rare one I saw on eBay, its even autographed and much smaller then I've seen T3 Turkey Red link
Getting back to the show, its always worth my 6 hour round trip ride, as its a throwback to the days when card shows were king, and the internet & eBay were something out of the Jetsons. Its good to purchase cards face to face instead of thru a scan, plus to get display items, supplies, modern cards, wax and memorabilia all in 1 shot is great. I always buy items that I didn't know I "needed". With eBay, I would have never clicked the proper search to even know it existed. Plus walking the floors and making several trips back & forth to my van w/ supplies and purchases gave me a healthier work-out then I get at the computer.
I also ran into a couple more board members who I never met before, Marty & Aconte, I'm sure I'll have the pleasure of meeting a ton more in Cleveland in ten weeks. This has been my official "Fort Report"...jay

1420sports

The show was typical as of late, but it is always good to see some board members. "LuxuryGuru" Sports Cards had a good table and was a perfect home base for us Registry Folk.

OT, Friday night I walked up to one dealer's table in particuliar and noticed he had a 67 Clemente PSA 8. I asked him how much it was (no price on it) and he said "I dunno, come back later".

ejguru

Neal: Anybody I/we know???

1420sports

EJ - He has been discussed on this board in the past.

magellan

Thanks for the show info guys. Very interesting to read about the give and take, the "finds" , and all of the various meetings. I haven't been to a show in about 13 years, there are no large ones around here and those in Pa, OH, etc. are just too far away. I do miss this part of the hobby.
Dave