Baltimore show: observations by QDB
Dentuck
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Dave Bowers's comments on the first public day (Friday) of the Whitman Baltimore Coin & Currency Expo:
"Yesterday was dealer setup day. By about 11 in the morning, most were in place, with lots of nice interruptions, such as 'How much is that?' Then, 'I’ll take that.' Everyone I talked to reported success. Whitman has been doing its best to offer every convenience. Dealers no longer have to wait in line to check in or to have photographs taken. A quick scan of the barcode on last show’s badge is all that is needed—a new ribbon is attached, and off they go. It took me about 15 seconds to do this!
Ken Goldman, who had no table but was here, there, and everywhere around the bourse on Thursday, commented, 'I think the market is very strong in just about all areas. I see early United States coins, from 1792 to about 1820, being especially in demand, if attractive and in nice grade. I also am interested in other fields of collecting and Americana, and those specialties are also doing well. Collecting is more popular than ever.'
Larry Stack, coming off of the Stack’s sale earlier in the week, finds the market to be 'very competitive.' Further, 'Activity at our table on Thursday was unprecedented—non-stop with buying, selling, and taking in consignments. Baltimore has established itself as one of the best convention venues ever.'
Silvano DiGenova, who came all the way from Newport Beach, California, was enthusiastic: 'Baltimore shows are not to be missed. They are great!' While saying this he showed me a dandy 1796 No Stars quarter eagle. I watched as Richard August, colonial coin expert par excellence, parted with a couple of nice Vermont 'Landscape' coppers, one dated 1785 and the other 1786. Tony Terranova sold in one dramatic swoop a collection of about 20 Vermonts, including the best known Ryder-30 variety (with backward C in AUCTORI).
Against the far wall, Tidewater Coin & Supply had hundreds (thousands?) of books, albums, and other supplies for sale. Safe Publications had a fine selection of coin display cabinets, drawers, and albums. Charles Davis, dealer in out-of-print numismatic literature, and some new titles as well, showed me a preview copy of Syd Martin’s forthcoming book on Hibernia coppers of the 1720s—looked great! I’ve always agreed with the sentiment, 'Buy the book before the coin.' Advice to fellow dealers: The best way to have your clients become interested in new areas of our hobby is to sell them some interesting books. Works every time!"
"Yesterday was dealer setup day. By about 11 in the morning, most were in place, with lots of nice interruptions, such as 'How much is that?' Then, 'I’ll take that.' Everyone I talked to reported success. Whitman has been doing its best to offer every convenience. Dealers no longer have to wait in line to check in or to have photographs taken. A quick scan of the barcode on last show’s badge is all that is needed—a new ribbon is attached, and off they go. It took me about 15 seconds to do this!
Ken Goldman, who had no table but was here, there, and everywhere around the bourse on Thursday, commented, 'I think the market is very strong in just about all areas. I see early United States coins, from 1792 to about 1820, being especially in demand, if attractive and in nice grade. I also am interested in other fields of collecting and Americana, and those specialties are also doing well. Collecting is more popular than ever.'
Larry Stack, coming off of the Stack’s sale earlier in the week, finds the market to be 'very competitive.' Further, 'Activity at our table on Thursday was unprecedented—non-stop with buying, selling, and taking in consignments. Baltimore has established itself as one of the best convention venues ever.'
Silvano DiGenova, who came all the way from Newport Beach, California, was enthusiastic: 'Baltimore shows are not to be missed. They are great!' While saying this he showed me a dandy 1796 No Stars quarter eagle. I watched as Richard August, colonial coin expert par excellence, parted with a couple of nice Vermont 'Landscape' coppers, one dated 1785 and the other 1786. Tony Terranova sold in one dramatic swoop a collection of about 20 Vermonts, including the best known Ryder-30 variety (with backward C in AUCTORI).
Against the far wall, Tidewater Coin & Supply had hundreds (thousands?) of books, albums, and other supplies for sale. Safe Publications had a fine selection of coin display cabinets, drawers, and albums. Charles Davis, dealer in out-of-print numismatic literature, and some new titles as well, showed me a preview copy of Syd Martin’s forthcoming book on Hibernia coppers of the 1720s—looked great! I’ve always agreed with the sentiment, 'Buy the book before the coin.' Advice to fellow dealers: The best way to have your clients become interested in new areas of our hobby is to sell them some interesting books. Works every time!"
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<< <i>Advice to fellow dealers: The best way to have your clients become interested in new areas of our hobby is to sell them some interesting books. Works every time!" >>
Interesting observations. I think dealers would certainly do well to sell books or recommend books to prospective clients...but I think the best way to get a client interested in a new area is simply to talk to them...tell them about the coins, about the history, about the rarity, about what makes a particular coin or group of coins special...when a dealer does this passionately, it's contagious!