<< <i>While it SUCKS that the National won't be in Cleveland next year (an hour from my house), I love having an excuse to go see my Family in Maryland! >>
I agree...where do you live? I am up in Avon Lake. John
Just got back from the National. Could only stop by after work and stay a couple of hours. It helps that I only live 5 min away I met Cosetta Robbins, who was very nice, but I knew that already, and thanked her for all the work she does. I met Steve Hart at his both and he was very nice, had to thank him for all those group rips. Finally I managed to pick up some upgrades for my 1948 Leaf set:
I just got back from the National myself as I live about a hour north of Rosemont. This is at least my 7th or 8th National and I had a few observations (if anyone cares)
The national is becoming like a rolling museum. No need to go to the Halls of Fame because so much of what you see in the museums is at the national. It seems there are more acution houses showing their upcoming auction items than ever before. Other dealers seem to bring high ticket or unusual items which are great to look at but I didnt see much of it flying off the tables. I wish we could go back to some of the early Nationals where every table was just falling over with boxes of cards for customers to go through....pull up a chair and go through a dealers boxes!!
Prices we stupid high on man items. I looked at many ungraded 1972 Topps stars that I need for my set and put all of them back because they were asking top dollar for cards that would not grade out to the price level they were asking for.
A large amount of corporate booths took up a good chunck of the floor. I was never one for promos but I used to at least walk away with a few new cards that were given away by the card makers without having to buy packs somewhere then stand in line to open them in front of a representative to get a few promos.
On the bright side there were a few decent dealers who only had a table or two that had some excellent cards that I was looking for. I was able to buy a huge amount of 1972 Topps baseball and 1959 Topps football, which were all in PSA 8 or better condition that I needed for my sets at very good prices. I enjoyed sitting at many different tables and digging through boxes just like the good old days and finding stuff I need for my set that was not overpriced and in nice condition. This, to me, was a highlight of the show in that there are still dealers out there who are willing to sell 50 cent cards at the National and make their money on volume sold and not all from one of two big deals. I took business cards from each of these dealers and will be sure to give them my business throughout the next year.
Overall, despite the high prices on many items it was an enjoyable experience. I didnt meet any members from these boards but I did look for Neil (dutyman) at the BBCE booth a few times. By the way...talk about a museum for sportscards.....one only needs to stop by the BBCE booth for a trip through the history of sportscards packs. They had some unbelieveable stuff there from all sports. Steve, as always was busy but pleasant but I think I spent a half hour at his booth alone just looking at everything.
Looking forward to Baltimore next year. My daughter and grandkids live 10 minutes away from the convention center so I dont have to pay for a hotel room!!
collecting RAW Topps baseball cards 1952 Highs to 1972. looking for collector grade (somewhere between psa 4-7 condition). let me know what you have, I'll take it, I want to finish sets, I must have something you can use for trade.
looking for Topps 71-72 hi's-62-53-54-55-59, I have these sets started
It looks like Bob Dylan from the Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid era is stalking Jim Brown in that one pic.
"I think the guy must be practicing voodoo or something. Check out his eyes. Rico's crazier than a peach orchard sow." -- Whitey Herzog, Spring Training 1973
Comments
<< <i>While it SUCKS that the National won't be in Cleveland next year (an hour from my house), I love having an excuse to go see my Family in Maryland!
I agree...where do you live? I am up in Avon Lake.
John
Just got back from the National. Could only stop by after work and stay a couple of hours. It helps that I only live 5 min away
I met Cosetta Robbins, who was very nice, but I knew that already, and thanked her for all the work she does.
I met Steve Hart at his both and he was very nice, had to thank him for all those group rips.
Finally I managed to pick up some upgrades for my 1948 Leaf set:
Looking forward to the next one at Rosemont.
Tom
The national is becoming like a rolling museum. No need to go to the Halls of Fame because so much of what you see in the museums is at the national. It seems there are more acution houses showing their upcoming auction items than ever before. Other dealers seem to bring high ticket or unusual items which are great to look at but I didnt see much of it flying off the tables. I wish we could go back to some of the early Nationals where every table was just falling over with boxes of cards for customers to go through....pull up a chair and go through a dealers boxes!!
Prices we stupid high on man items. I looked at many ungraded 1972 Topps stars that I need for my set and put all of them back because they were asking top dollar for cards that would not grade out to the price level they were asking for.
A large amount of corporate booths took up a good chunck of the floor. I was never one for promos but I used to at least walk away with a few new cards that were given away by the card makers without having to buy packs somewhere then stand in line to open them in front of a representative to get a few promos.
On the bright side there were a few decent dealers who only had a table or two that had some excellent cards that I was looking for. I was able to buy a huge amount of 1972 Topps baseball and 1959 Topps football, which were all in PSA 8 or better condition that I needed for my sets at very good prices. I enjoyed sitting at many different tables and digging through boxes just like the good old days and finding stuff I need for my set that was not overpriced and in nice condition. This, to me, was a highlight of the show in that there are still dealers out there who are willing to sell 50 cent cards at the National and make their money on volume sold and not all from one of two big deals. I took business cards from each of these dealers and will be sure to give them my business throughout the next year.
Overall, despite the high prices on many items it was an enjoyable experience. I didnt meet any members from these boards but I did look for Neil (dutyman) at the BBCE booth a few times. By the way...talk about a museum for sportscards.....one only needs to stop by the BBCE booth for a trip through the history of sportscards packs. They had some unbelieveable stuff there from all sports. Steve, as always was busy but pleasant but I think I spent a half hour at his booth alone just looking at everything.
Looking forward to Baltimore next year. My daughter and grandkids live 10 minutes away from the convention center so I dont have to pay for a hotel room!!
collecting RAW Topps baseball cards 1952 Highs to 1972. looking for collector grade (somewhere between psa 4-7 condition). let me know what you have, I'll take it, I want to finish sets, I must have something you can use for trade.
looking for Topps 71-72 hi's-62-53-54-55-59, I have these sets started
Kiss me twice.....let's party.
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Kingnascar's PSADNA Sets
Take care,
"Live everyday, don't throw it away"