Reading, PA - ESPCC Show Report

Wondo

Just returned from 2 1/2 hours at the show and it was fun. I took my daughter who was suprised how many old, fat balding guys knew me (also old, fat and balding). There wasn't much activity although I talked with Ron Oser, Dave Forman, Mark Theo, Mike Wheat, Brian Dec, Terry Knouse, etc. I thought the pickings were kinda slim compared to the December show and prices were too high for me - although I almost bit on Zimpleman's PSA 5 Oxford Cobb. I did not see much $$ changing hands.

Highlight of the show was a purchase I made from BBCE - I had never met Steve Hart before and he seems like a real nice guy. I bought three unopened GAI graded 1951 Ringside panel packs, one with the Murphy showing through!!!!! Steve kindly is writing a letter stating that he was the guy who got these graded at GAI and he knows they are good. Never hurts to have extra insurance.

Anyway, I have to go back tomorrow to get some cards that SGC is putting into there current holders (1921 Schapira Brothers Babe Ruth set). I was suprised that neither PSA or SGC had a holder to fit my 1890 Joseph Hall cabinet of Brooklyn in St. Augustine for Sping training - I had to do a GAI holder.

Met a couple of board members (tkd7 and I can't remember who else) and had a nice time.


edited to add: Definite must show for anybody within reach!

Bosox1976

Good move getting those Ruths into the newer holder. Will definitely help at resale.

Uncbob

Many people in the grading line ?

I plan on going tomorrow and getting some of my 51s graded

Wondo

<< <i>Many people in the grading line ?

I plan on going tomorrow and getting some of my 51s graded >>



Nobody in line at any of the four services. Tomorrow will be a much busier day, however.

Wondo

Hey,

Did anyone else go to the show tonight? Is anyone going this weekend?


Does anybody care?

cohocorp

i also went today. unfortunately i had the times messed up so i got there 3 hours before it opened. so it started out bad. couldnt really find anything i needed for my registry sets (1952 topps) besides what levi had. i could have just bought from him online instead of doing all the driving. so it was pretty much a wasted trip 2 hours each way. thats the last show i go to in reading. i always went to the ft washington show before the move. not worth it anymore at the new venue.

TheMcgwireMuseum

I live about 2 hours away and would like to make the drive (Ive never gone before) but I was talking to a card shop owner today and he said it is all vintage. Is this true? Would it be worth it for a McGwire collector to even show up?

cohocorp

there was a ton of modern as well

Wondo

There was a varied selection - too many dealers taking shots on the vintage IMHO. I didn't get look at the moderns, but there was a bunch. I figure its my fix every few months. If you haven't ever gone to an ESPCC show - take the time and go at least once. They are not what they used to be (spoken like a true crotchey old guy) but still enjoyable.

TheMcgwireMuseum

Thanks for the reply. I now know what my bedtime should be. What time does it open to the public?

Wondo

<< <i>Thanks for the reply. I now know what my bedtime should be. What time does it open to the public? >>



Web site says 9:00 am

jamesgotpoorman

Not happy it is in Reading, was easy to get to in ft. washington. Have a great time tomorrow. I going to see if the wife will watch the kids for me to make the trip on sunday.

Uncbob

<< <i>There was a varied selection - too many dealers taking shots on the vintage IMHO. I didn't get look at the moderns, but there was a bunch. I figure its my fix every few months. If you haven't ever gone to an ESPCC show - take the time and go at least once. They are not what they used to be (spoken like a true crotchey old guy) but still enjoyable. >>


You think they are not what they used to be because the hobby has become too saturated with new issues and gimmicks and just plain speculation ?

Wondo

<< <i>

<< <i>There was a varied selection - too many dealers taking shots on the vintage IMHO. I didn't get look at the moderns, but there was a bunch. I figure its my fix every few months. If you haven't ever gone to an ESPCC show - take the time and go at least once. They are not what they used to be (spoken like a true crotchey old guy) but still enjoyable. >>


You think they are not what they used to be because the hobby has become too saturated with new issues and gimmicks and just plain speculation ? >>



No, people can collect whatever they deem fit - the manufacturers will keep printing it as long as folks buy. I was refering to the absolute frenzy that Willow Grove used to be. We would wait in line for over and hour, hundreds of us, for the opening. It was ludicrous. Now there was a lot less product back then in the mid eighties, so you didn't have 100 choices of your favorite player. But it was a more exciting time. Now it is much more civilized - lol.

P.S. There was plenty of speculation back then. Also, there was no decent tpgs, so a lot of people got hosed at one time or another. Say what anybody wants about the SPA's and SGC's of the world, but they make the hobby much safer IMHO.

Uncbob

I was at the first one in 76 at Spring Garden College

Attended several at Willow Grove (George Washington Motor Lodge Hall)

Several at Ft Wastington Expo (only 4 miles from my house )

Reading show was a lot different --didn't seem like alot of buying going on and it was over an hour drive

Stone193

Thanx for the report Wondo.

I gotta say - that's quite a commute from San Antonio!

mike

Uncbob

BTW

I couldn't believe the $$$$ in cards 707 Sportscards had in Goudeys--T205s--T206s--50-51 Bowmans 52 Topps and other vintage sets

Had to be the biggest inventory there by far

Wabittwax

707 always is the biggest I think. I remember a National a few years ago and they had like $200k-$300k just in 52 Topps Mantle's in their case!