Houston Tri Star Show Review. Scans of purchases added.
RonBurgundy
Posts: 5,491 ✭✭✭
I made my annual trek to Houston for this show, this time it was at the old Astro Arena instead of the convention center downtown. Below is a summary of my weekend:
1) The old Astro Arena, now the Reliant Arena, is a DUMP. Old, dirty, the men's restroom may be the worst restroom I have ever frequented, it is certainly in the top 5. Disgusting. The genius show promoters claim they didn't book the convention center in time. Gee, I guess that explains why they're not going back to the convention center in June? No, they booked this to save money. Period, and it's a DUMP.
2) The Crowne Plaza Reliant down the street is also a dump. Dirty and old rooms, I slept on the top of the bed sheets to avoid disease. The gym equipment, half of which didn't work, reeked of BO, I'm certain it had not been wiped down in months. Don't ever go there.
3) The show. I actually saw a few more dealers this time, and some out of state collectors who flew in for the show. I saw money changing hands. I heard less dealer complaints. I heard 1 dealer say he thinks shows will make a mild rebound because of the decline in Ebay.
4) What I got. First highlight was JSA authenticated the 56 Yankees Program with the Mantle, Martin, & Stengel autographs. I was very pleased about that, I didn't know that Stengel was a tough signature. Then I picked up a nice 67 partial set ranging from EX-MT to NM-MT. Had another deal done for a complete 67 set in NM to NM-MT with 25 graded cards including Mantle & Clemente in PSA 8, then the dealer backed out of it this morning. After I'd given him a deposit. He made some lame excuse that his business partner didn't want to do it, he was lying, he found someone else to buy it I'm sure. I didn't give him a hard time because it made it easier to buy...............a complete 66 Topps football set in high grade. 45 graded cards including Namath all PSA 8 or 9 except for a few, the raw cards all NM to NM-MT. This set is a keeper, I love it. Then out of sheer luck I scored, this morning, a different 67 set minus the Seaver that initially I judged in EX+ condition but after getting it home, it's more EX-MT and many NM and better cards in it. Some guys had it who don't set up at shows much, they had several partial sets and wished I could've bought a couple more. Really pleased with this one. Then I picked up a 68 football set in NM to NM-MT other than a few cards and it will be for sale. Very nice set. Cherries on top were some choice 57's, a nice group of 66 high numbers and a 67 Killebrew PSA 9 for my own set. And on my way out the door I bought a 1950 Rose Bowl program featuring the Cal Bears & Ohio State. All in all, very pleased the 67's will be for sale soon too and I'll post scans this week of some of my finds. Pretty typical vintage for a regional show, as always you have to dig. Most humorous thing I did was buying a 52 Jackie Robinson in G-Vg at one table and selling it 20 minutes later at a 20% markup just because someone saw it in my hand. Saved a trip to PSA!
And that's the news from the Houston Tri Star Show. You stay classy collectors...........
1) The old Astro Arena, now the Reliant Arena, is a DUMP. Old, dirty, the men's restroom may be the worst restroom I have ever frequented, it is certainly in the top 5. Disgusting. The genius show promoters claim they didn't book the convention center in time. Gee, I guess that explains why they're not going back to the convention center in June? No, they booked this to save money. Period, and it's a DUMP.
2) The Crowne Plaza Reliant down the street is also a dump. Dirty and old rooms, I slept on the top of the bed sheets to avoid disease. The gym equipment, half of which didn't work, reeked of BO, I'm certain it had not been wiped down in months. Don't ever go there.
3) The show. I actually saw a few more dealers this time, and some out of state collectors who flew in for the show. I saw money changing hands. I heard less dealer complaints. I heard 1 dealer say he thinks shows will make a mild rebound because of the decline in Ebay.
4) What I got. First highlight was JSA authenticated the 56 Yankees Program with the Mantle, Martin, & Stengel autographs. I was very pleased about that, I didn't know that Stengel was a tough signature. Then I picked up a nice 67 partial set ranging from EX-MT to NM-MT. Had another deal done for a complete 67 set in NM to NM-MT with 25 graded cards including Mantle & Clemente in PSA 8, then the dealer backed out of it this morning. After I'd given him a deposit. He made some lame excuse that his business partner didn't want to do it, he was lying, he found someone else to buy it I'm sure. I didn't give him a hard time because it made it easier to buy...............a complete 66 Topps football set in high grade. 45 graded cards including Namath all PSA 8 or 9 except for a few, the raw cards all NM to NM-MT. This set is a keeper, I love it. Then out of sheer luck I scored, this morning, a different 67 set minus the Seaver that initially I judged in EX+ condition but after getting it home, it's more EX-MT and many NM and better cards in it. Some guys had it who don't set up at shows much, they had several partial sets and wished I could've bought a couple more. Really pleased with this one. Then I picked up a 68 football set in NM to NM-MT other than a few cards and it will be for sale. Very nice set. Cherries on top were some choice 57's, a nice group of 66 high numbers and a 67 Killebrew PSA 9 for my own set. And on my way out the door I bought a 1950 Rose Bowl program featuring the Cal Bears & Ohio State. All in all, very pleased the 67's will be for sale soon too and I'll post scans this week of some of my finds. Pretty typical vintage for a regional show, as always you have to dig. Most humorous thing I did was buying a 52 Jackie Robinson in G-Vg at one table and selling it 20 minutes later at a 20% markup just because someone saw it in my hand. Saved a trip to PSA!
And that's the news from the Houston Tri Star Show. You stay classy collectors...........
Ron Burgundy
Buying Vintage, all sports.
Buying Woody Hayes, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Jesse Owens autographed items
Buying Vintage, all sports.
Buying Woody Hayes, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Jesse Owens autographed items
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Comments
<< <i>The Crowne Plaza Reliant down the street is also a dump. Dirty and old rooms, I slept on the top of the bed sheets to avoid disease. The gym equipment, half of which didn't work, reeked of BO, I'm certain it had not been wiped down in months. Don't ever go there.
>>
Just a public service announcement...bed sheets must always be changed between occupants...comforters do not.
Glad you had a good time!
IMF
"Molon Labe"
Buying Vintage, all sports.
Buying Woody Hayes, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Jesse Owens autographed items
Buying Vintage, all sports.
Buying Woody Hayes, Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, and Jesse Owens autographed items
Always looking for Mantle cards such as Stahl Meyer, 1954 Dan Dee, 1959 Bazooka, 1960 Post, 1952 Star Cal Decal, 1952 Tip Top Bread Labels, 1953-54 Briggs Meat, and other Topps, Bowman, and oddball Mantles.
Chipper Jones Basic Topps Set - All 10's for 10
Sam Houston State Alumni Rookie Set