Sportscards in a small town
jrinck
Posts: 1,321 ✭✭
This post will have no impact on the hobby, but gives a sort of pulse for small town U.S.A.
Over the weekend I was in historic Nauvoo, Illinois (western Illinois, about two hours south of Davenport, Iowa), attending a family reunion on my stepfather's side. Anyway, while we were in town there was a "Thresher's" festival, which showcased old tractors and farm equipment. In addition to that there was sort of a flea Market where vendors sold their "antiques" plus arts and crafts. It was a typical small town event where everybody knew everybody going back 50+ years or more.
So, I'm wallowing around in the flea market section and I happen upon a guy selling modern grab bags. The oldest card I could identify was a 1986 Topps Pete Rose special. I asked if he had any older stuff and he said he doesn't like bringing it out into the weather. I could have walked, but asked if he was a dealer. He wasn't too commital, but did mention how a friend of his just sold $8,300 worth of vintage 50's cards to Kit Young while Young was on his way back from the National. He admitted that his friend probably got taken, but $8,300 was $8,300.
All was fine and fun until I broached the subject of grading, and then the guy became very distant and uninterested. I took the hint and eventually left. I then turned the corner to find another swamp of modern garbage intermixed with semi-vintage, overpriced, and crappy conditioned star cards.
I take it that small town U.S.A. doesn't have as much to offer as I had hoped. I wasn't expecting anything amazing, but the fact that there were at least two people selling modern stuff at a farmer's show in a small midwest farming town was interesting. Too bad none of it was worth buying.
Over the weekend I was in historic Nauvoo, Illinois (western Illinois, about two hours south of Davenport, Iowa), attending a family reunion on my stepfather's side. Anyway, while we were in town there was a "Thresher's" festival, which showcased old tractors and farm equipment. In addition to that there was sort of a flea Market where vendors sold their "antiques" plus arts and crafts. It was a typical small town event where everybody knew everybody going back 50+ years or more.
So, I'm wallowing around in the flea market section and I happen upon a guy selling modern grab bags. The oldest card I could identify was a 1986 Topps Pete Rose special. I asked if he had any older stuff and he said he doesn't like bringing it out into the weather. I could have walked, but asked if he was a dealer. He wasn't too commital, but did mention how a friend of his just sold $8,300 worth of vintage 50's cards to Kit Young while Young was on his way back from the National. He admitted that his friend probably got taken, but $8,300 was $8,300.
All was fine and fun until I broached the subject of grading, and then the guy became very distant and uninterested. I took the hint and eventually left. I then turned the corner to find another swamp of modern garbage intermixed with semi-vintage, overpriced, and crappy conditioned star cards.
I take it that small town U.S.A. doesn't have as much to offer as I had hoped. I wasn't expecting anything amazing, but the fact that there were at least two people selling modern stuff at a farmer's show in a small midwest farming town was interesting. Too bad none of it was worth buying.
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Comments
<< <i>I take it that small town U.S.A. doesn't have as much to offer as I had hoped. >>
because of the internet and ebay
even those small town guys are selling
their stuff elsewhere and they KNOW if they
have something worth selling.
it is a different world.
<< <i>it is a different world. >>
I agree. The internet, starting with sportsnet in the early 90z, changed the face of collecting forever!
I swear, if you were stranded on an island in the pacific and chanced a trip to the other side, you would probably find an islander selling fresh fish, coconuts and exquisite packs!
Stone
Unfortunate that the hidden finds are long, long gone I am afraid.