My National Experience
MantleFan23
Posts: 702 ✭✭✭✭
Hey Everyone,
I enjoyed reading all the stories last year living vicariously through everyone's experience at the Baltimore national, that I just had to post my experience for the day. Many of you may not know me, but my name is Jeremy, I'm 35, live in Dubuque, IA, am a CPA, and my collecting focus is building a 1956 topps set in PSA7 and collecting unopened wax (1978-1986) mostly. While this year has seen a lot of changes in my life including getting engaged and a future wedding date this September, as a result, my collecting budget and my focus has taken a bit of a backseat to other things, however, life is all about priorities right?
However, for ONE day, I was able to focus on my passion, which has been collecting, and sharing that with my dad. We've been to a few nationals in Chicago and have attended numerous Sun-Times shows over the years. I'd like to share with you a few of my thoughts on the show and a few pictures that I took along the way.
The week started out in a lot of anticipation of the show. Seeing the pictures of BBCE's booth had me drooling, so I couldn't wait to get to the show and see everything that it had to offer! Dubuque is about a three hour drive from Chicago, so we left about 7 am. We got there at about 10 am and these two cards were one of the first things that I saw!
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Okay, with that as a start, my Dad and I are like, this is going to be a great show!
My 1956 PSA7 set got off to a good start, and within an hour, I had picked up these to add to my registry set, which I was happy about.
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While I had a limited budget, I was unable to pick up any other PSA7's as I felt that either the cards I looked at were a) priced too high or b) weren't strong for the grade for me. I did come across a Yankee team card that I fancied, but I decided that now was not the time for that purchase, plus, I wanted to save some money for the BBCE booth!
My dad on the other hand, was focusing mostly on completing his Mantle All Star card run, and as well, pick up a few Roger Maris cards to add to his growing collection. I think on the most part he was disappointed with the quality of the cards at the show and some of the prices, but was able to strike deals for these three cards by the end of the show. I was happy for him to complete his run of Mantle All-Stars with a 1958 PSA 8. In addition, purchased a Maris RC PSA6.5 and a 1967 Maris PSA8. Heres a look at all three!
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I did get a chance to stop at the BBCE booth at 2 p.m. to meet a few of the guys. I'm a bit shy by nature, so I felt a bit awkward at first, but I got to meet CPAMike and Stooge and share some conversations with both of them. Also, I got to witness the rare occasion of CPAMike actually ripping something, which were two 1980 cello packs. We talked for a few minutes and he showed me some of his key purchases that he made. He was as friendly in person as he is on these boards. Stooge and I also talked for a few minutes and he shared with me some of his passions, including his M*A*S*H set. I'm amazed at how much effort he's put into that set! It was great getting to talk with these guys. While at the BBCE booth I got to at least put my eye on a few things that I would think about purchasing...I'll get into that later!
I had met Dave (70ToppsFanatic) last year at the Sun-Times show, and I got to go over to his table and he remembered me from the November show and we talked for a few minutes about what's been going on in his collecting world, etc.
The rest of the show was spent going table to table with my dad and sharing memories and pointing out many PSA9 mantles, and other high grade cards to each other and looking in awe. Plus, we had 7 hours in a car to also share our thoughts on the current market, how our focuses have changed over the years, and even mistakes that we made (like starting lineups), but they always come off with a laugh, and my dad even said, yeah know, even though the starting lineup market went to garbage, I still enjoy looking at them, and when you buy something for your personal collection, you better like it, because you're stuck with it. A good thought...
One of the other highlights of my day had to be the time spent at the BBCE booth. I had heard so much about Steve on these boards, but have never met him or seen him in person. He was VERY busy when I stopped by, but I was able to get a minute of his time to introduce myself, he somehow remembered how my last name was spelled, so he must have seen my name on numerous orders that I had placed over the past year
, and he thanked me for my business. At the end of the show, I had decided on the items that I would purchase.
Some to rip like these.....
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Which yielded this.....
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The 86 rack and the 83 rack came up empty, though.
I bought these to remain unopened and add to my growing collection...
1986 football wax box
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1983 baseball vending box from sealed case
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1983 topps cello box from sealed case
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1979 wax pack tray
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My overall opinion of the show was that it was OK. There was a lot of modern and a lot of autograph stuff, and while I'm sure it appeals to some, it doesn't appeal to me. However, there was still plenty to view and see, and I thought overall the vintage card quality was pretty good even though the prices were a bit on the high end, but so be it. I don't have to buy it, if its too high. I thought attendance was fairly good in the morning, but by 3 p.m. attendance seemed a bit scarce. Seeing the Wagner PSA2, the Mantle 1952 Topps PSA10, and the 1960 Roger Maris MVP award were definitely the highlights, and I got to add some nice items to my collection...as my dad did to, so I guess you could say the show was a success!
Thanks for reading, and I look forward to hear your stories!
Jeremy
I enjoyed reading all the stories last year living vicariously through everyone's experience at the Baltimore national, that I just had to post my experience for the day. Many of you may not know me, but my name is Jeremy, I'm 35, live in Dubuque, IA, am a CPA, and my collecting focus is building a 1956 topps set in PSA7 and collecting unopened wax (1978-1986) mostly. While this year has seen a lot of changes in my life including getting engaged and a future wedding date this September, as a result, my collecting budget and my focus has taken a bit of a backseat to other things, however, life is all about priorities right?
However, for ONE day, I was able to focus on my passion, which has been collecting, and sharing that with my dad. We've been to a few nationals in Chicago and have attended numerous Sun-Times shows over the years. I'd like to share with you a few of my thoughts on the show and a few pictures that I took along the way.
The week started out in a lot of anticipation of the show. Seeing the pictures of BBCE's booth had me drooling, so I couldn't wait to get to the show and see everything that it had to offer! Dubuque is about a three hour drive from Chicago, so we left about 7 am. We got there at about 10 am and these two cards were one of the first things that I saw!
[/URL][/URL]Okay, with that as a start, my Dad and I are like, this is going to be a great show!
My 1956 PSA7 set got off to a good start, and within an hour, I had picked up these to add to my registry set, which I was happy about.
[/URL]While I had a limited budget, I was unable to pick up any other PSA7's as I felt that either the cards I looked at were a) priced too high or b) weren't strong for the grade for me. I did come across a Yankee team card that I fancied, but I decided that now was not the time for that purchase, plus, I wanted to save some money for the BBCE booth!
My dad on the other hand, was focusing mostly on completing his Mantle All Star card run, and as well, pick up a few Roger Maris cards to add to his growing collection. I think on the most part he was disappointed with the quality of the cards at the show and some of the prices, but was able to strike deals for these three cards by the end of the show. I was happy for him to complete his run of Mantle All-Stars with a 1958 PSA 8. In addition, purchased a Maris RC PSA6.5 and a 1967 Maris PSA8. Heres a look at all three!
[/URL]I did get a chance to stop at the BBCE booth at 2 p.m. to meet a few of the guys. I'm a bit shy by nature, so I felt a bit awkward at first, but I got to meet CPAMike and Stooge and share some conversations with both of them. Also, I got to witness the rare occasion of CPAMike actually ripping something, which were two 1980 cello packs. We talked for a few minutes and he showed me some of his key purchases that he made. He was as friendly in person as he is on these boards. Stooge and I also talked for a few minutes and he shared with me some of his passions, including his M*A*S*H set. I'm amazed at how much effort he's put into that set! It was great getting to talk with these guys. While at the BBCE booth I got to at least put my eye on a few things that I would think about purchasing...I'll get into that later!
I had met Dave (70ToppsFanatic) last year at the Sun-Times show, and I got to go over to his table and he remembered me from the November show and we talked for a few minutes about what's been going on in his collecting world, etc.
The rest of the show was spent going table to table with my dad and sharing memories and pointing out many PSA9 mantles, and other high grade cards to each other and looking in awe. Plus, we had 7 hours in a car to also share our thoughts on the current market, how our focuses have changed over the years, and even mistakes that we made (like starting lineups), but they always come off with a laugh, and my dad even said, yeah know, even though the starting lineup market went to garbage, I still enjoy looking at them, and when you buy something for your personal collection, you better like it, because you're stuck with it. A good thought...
One of the other highlights of my day had to be the time spent at the BBCE booth. I had heard so much about Steve on these boards, but have never met him or seen him in person. He was VERY busy when I stopped by, but I was able to get a minute of his time to introduce myself, he somehow remembered how my last name was spelled, so he must have seen my name on numerous orders that I had placed over the past year
, and he thanked me for my business. At the end of the show, I had decided on the items that I would purchase. Some to rip like these.....
[/URL][/URL]Which yielded this.....
[/URL]The 86 rack and the 83 rack came up empty, though.
I bought these to remain unopened and add to my growing collection...
1986 football wax box
[/URL]1983 baseball vending box from sealed case
[/URL]1983 topps cello box from sealed case
[/URL]1979 wax pack tray
[/URL]My overall opinion of the show was that it was OK. There was a lot of modern and a lot of autograph stuff, and while I'm sure it appeals to some, it doesn't appeal to me. However, there was still plenty to view and see, and I thought overall the vintage card quality was pretty good even though the prices were a bit on the high end, but so be it. I don't have to buy it, if its too high. I thought attendance was fairly good in the morning, but by 3 p.m. attendance seemed a bit scarce. Seeing the Wagner PSA2, the Mantle 1952 Topps PSA10, and the 1960 Roger Maris MVP award were definitely the highlights, and I got to add some nice items to my collection...as my dad did to, so I guess you could say the show was a success!
Thanks for reading, and I look forward to hear your stories!
Jeremy
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Greg Maddux #1 Master SetGreg Maddux #2 Basic Set
"Molon Labe"
Great recap, thanks for sharing!
Collecting 1970s Topps baseball wax, rack and cello packs, as well as PCGS graded Half Cents, Large Cents, Two Cent pieces and Three Cent Silver pieces.
ALL MY PSA SETS
I cant stop staring at the Psa 10 mantle, maybe it's just me, but does anybody else think it's odd that the card is just chilling on it's back in a case with other cards surrounding it? Seems like it should have it's own guarded room or something lol.
I'm with everyone else here, it's fantastic that you get to collect and go to shows with your dad.
1991 & 1992 Fleer Pro Visions
1952 Topps
That partial '54B Williams in the first pic looks pretty freaking sharp.
Oh yeah, the '52T Mantle looks nice too..
Bosox1976
I think that is what kept me from driving 4 hours to attend this year. I'm also not interested in the modern stuff, and figured the late 70's/early 80's stuff would be too scarce to warrant the trip. Not to mention how much prices of unopened stuff from that "era" in just the last 6 months has absolutely skyrocketed.
<< <i>"There was a lot of modern and a lot of autograph stuff, and while I'm sure it appeals to some, it doesn't appeal to me."
I think that is what kept me from driving 4 hours to attend this year. I'm also not interested in the modern stuff, and figured the late 70's/early 80's stuff would be too scarce to warrant the trip. Not to mention how much prices of unopened stuff from that "era" in just the last 6 months has absolutely skyrocketed. >>
The amusing part of this quote is that I've heard modern stuff guys same the same thing about the National and vintage.
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
<< <i>If that is $315 sticker on the Maris rookie card, that seems like a very good price. Was your dad able to talk him down even more? I wish I would get with the times and get a smart phone so I could check VCP when I go to these shows. See who is gouging..... >>
He got the Maris rookie and the 67 for $400. I thought the dealer that had the cards was reasonable on a lot of his prices.
It was great to briefly talk to you about collecting at BBCE booth. I was the guy in the Clay Mathews jersey ripping the 75 mini packs. Definitely had a great time there in my one day. Man was it a full day. Next time I may have to go two days and space it out. Also need to bring a little more cash with me. Need to find other ways of channeling it before the wife notices it is gone.
I'm really mad at myself, I didn't see the Honus Wagner card.
Scott
1975 Topps Registry Set "Scott's 75 Topps Set"
Step 2: Separate bank accounts!!!!!
I would probably go with Step 2
1975 Topps Registry Set "Scott's 75 Topps Set"
Jeff
<< <i>Jeremy,
It was great to briefly talk to you about collecting at BBCE booth. I was the guy in the Clay Mathews jersey ripping the 75 mini packs. Definitely had a great time there in my one day. Man was it a full day. Next time I may have to go two days and space it out. Also need to bring a little more cash with me. Need to find other ways of channeling it before the wife notices it is gone.
I'm really mad at myself, I didn't see the Honus Wagner card.
Scott >>
I went to the BBCE booth and saw a mass of people around and saw you ripping the '75 mini pack. I was too shy to say hello but next time I wont make that mistake. It looked like you guys were having fun.
<< <i>I was too shy to say hello but next time I wont make that mistake. It looked like you guys were having fun. >>
Doug
Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.