Card Show - Mansfield, MA - It's no Natty, but....
DanBessette
Posts: 6,421 ✭✭✭
I drove about 2 1/2 hours to a card show yesterday in Mansfield, Mass. This is a somewhat frequent show and the guys who put it together do a really good job. It's well organized with a good number of tables and always good autograph guests at reasonable prices. This is the same show at which I got to meet Gino Cappelletti in November. I hadn't been back since then, and itching to go to another.
Here is their website if you're interested in going to a show. I highly recommend it. Their autograph guests at the next show include Andy Moog and HOFer Gerry Cheevers.
Well, most of you don't know this, but one of my "back burner" projects is to collect cards and autographs of Providence College stars who made it to the NBA. I'm originally from RI and that's my favorite team, college or pro. Some of their NBA stints were brief, but to qualify for my project they need to have played in the NBA after college. Anyway, one of yesterday's guests was former First Team All American and Providence alum Ernie DiGregorio. Ernie D was the 1974 NBA Rookie of the Year (as you're about to see) for the Buffalo Braves. As I said, their autograph prices are great. I got an autograph for me and one for each of my kids for a total of 20 bucks. Here is the card I had signed. The inscription is a little more verbose than I was expecting, but I think I still like it.
The other autograph guest was HOFer Nate "Tiny" Archibald. I didn't get his auto, but snuck a photo:
My sons and I had a lot of success at the November show. This show had a good number of tables, but fewer than November. Not a lot of people were selling stuff I collect. I came specifically looking to add to my Gino Cappelletti and 1951 Bowman Brooklyn Dodgers registry sets, but wasn't able to find anything. In fact, most of the dealers didn't have graded cards and a couple looked disgusted if you even mentioned the word "graded." One guy had quite a few graded Yaz cards, but I didn't need/want most of them. He had a 1972 Topps #38 Yaz In Action PSA 8, but the sticker said $35, which isn't even close to reasonable.
I was getting discouraged, until I found one guy from whom I made all my purchases and would have liked to buy more if I had the money. I was able to buy 9 cards for my low-mid grade raw 1959 Fleer Ted Williams set and he also had lots of neat oddball Yaz items. I purchased five 1980 Liberty Superstar matchbook covers.
These come in 10 different colors, each of which is a separate item in the Yaz Master Set. It was a multisport set that included these players, among others: Larry Bird, Al Kaline, Duke Snider, Guy Lafleur, Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr, Ray Bourque, Lou Brock, Pete Rose, Hank Aaron and Willie Mays. I'm really excited to add these and they'll be subbed to PSA this month. I have no illusions that they're high grade; I think the average grade of the lot is around PSA 5. But the pop reports that PSA has only graded a total of between 3 and 6 copies of each color Yaz. With those numbers, slabbed copies will rarely surface for sale, if ever. The only option is really to sub them myself. I got them really cheap, and it will be cool to have more low-pop items in my master set. Besides, I just think they look really cool!
So a good time was had by all. And if you have any raw 59 Williams cards available, please let me know. I'm now 68/80 complete. Thanks guys.
Here is their website if you're interested in going to a show. I highly recommend it. Their autograph guests at the next show include Andy Moog and HOFer Gerry Cheevers.
Well, most of you don't know this, but one of my "back burner" projects is to collect cards and autographs of Providence College stars who made it to the NBA. I'm originally from RI and that's my favorite team, college or pro. Some of their NBA stints were brief, but to qualify for my project they need to have played in the NBA after college. Anyway, one of yesterday's guests was former First Team All American and Providence alum Ernie DiGregorio. Ernie D was the 1974 NBA Rookie of the Year (as you're about to see) for the Buffalo Braves. As I said, their autograph prices are great. I got an autograph for me and one for each of my kids for a total of 20 bucks. Here is the card I had signed. The inscription is a little more verbose than I was expecting, but I think I still like it.
The other autograph guest was HOFer Nate "Tiny" Archibald. I didn't get his auto, but snuck a photo:
My sons and I had a lot of success at the November show. This show had a good number of tables, but fewer than November. Not a lot of people were selling stuff I collect. I came specifically looking to add to my Gino Cappelletti and 1951 Bowman Brooklyn Dodgers registry sets, but wasn't able to find anything. In fact, most of the dealers didn't have graded cards and a couple looked disgusted if you even mentioned the word "graded." One guy had quite a few graded Yaz cards, but I didn't need/want most of them. He had a 1972 Topps #38 Yaz In Action PSA 8, but the sticker said $35, which isn't even close to reasonable.
I was getting discouraged, until I found one guy from whom I made all my purchases and would have liked to buy more if I had the money. I was able to buy 9 cards for my low-mid grade raw 1959 Fleer Ted Williams set and he also had lots of neat oddball Yaz items. I purchased five 1980 Liberty Superstar matchbook covers.
These come in 10 different colors, each of which is a separate item in the Yaz Master Set. It was a multisport set that included these players, among others: Larry Bird, Al Kaline, Duke Snider, Guy Lafleur, Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr, Ray Bourque, Lou Brock, Pete Rose, Hank Aaron and Willie Mays. I'm really excited to add these and they'll be subbed to PSA this month. I have no illusions that they're high grade; I think the average grade of the lot is around PSA 5. But the pop reports that PSA has only graded a total of between 3 and 6 copies of each color Yaz. With those numbers, slabbed copies will rarely surface for sale, if ever. The only option is really to sub them myself. I got them really cheap, and it will be cool to have more low-pop items in my master set. Besides, I just think they look really cool!
So a good time was had by all. And if you have any raw 59 Williams cards available, please let me know. I'm now 68/80 complete. Thanks guys.
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Comments
1994 Pro Line Live
TheDallasCowboyBackfieldProject
Interesting Yaz matchbook covers. Cool that they had them in holders already (unless you put them in there yourself...?). These days I couldn't quite picture MLB or the players' union authorizing that sort of thing!
<< <i>Where are the pics from Chipotle?? >>
Lol no pics of my carnitas burrito with chips and guac, and no pics from the rest area bathroom an hour later, either
Yeah, Phil, it's a great show. This time I came with a very specific shopping list, so it was a little harder for me to find something to buy, but there is always a large variety. On a different day I would have been all over the couple of tables where they were selling vintage Exhibits cards. I noticed a lot of hobby boxes of modern changing hands this time, but still plenty of raw vintage.
IMF
My Podcast - Now FEATURED on iTunes
This show has gone on for a long time
Since I moved out of Ma, not sure how the show scene is up there now.
I know Billy Hedin who had shows all over the place is no longer doing them
1980 Liberty Superstar Matchbook 6 Carl Yastrzemski Aqua MINT 9 Pop 2, 0 higher
1980 Liberty Superstar Matchbook 6 Carl Yastrzemski Green NEAR MINT-MINT+ 8.5 Pop 1, 2 higher
1980 Liberty Superstar Matchbook 6 Carl Yastrzemski Hot Pink NEAR MINT-MINT 8 Only 1 higher
1980 Liberty Superstar Matchbook 6 Carl Yastrzemski Orange EXCELLENT-MINT 6
1980 Liberty Superstar Matchbook 6 Carl Yastrzemski Salmon NEAR MINT-MINT+ 8.5 Pop 2, 0 higher
I'll post photos to my Yaz thread when I get these back in hand.
<< <i>Got poppage for these matchbooks and very happy with the results! >>
Wow, congrats!
Maybe I'll meet you out there for a show some time this summer. I used to go to RI 2-3 weekends a month but dont anymore. I'd like to check out that show.
I want to emphasize this is a great show. Always a solid autograph lineup at low prices. I've been twice and always returned home with treasure. The first time, meeting Gino Cappelletti, was a huge thrill. And the second time I got these matchbooks for a steal! The same dealer had a bunch of other oddball Yaz items, so I hope he's at the show next time I go.
1994 Pro Line Live
TheDallasCowboyBackfieldProject
IMF
Good Stuff Dan
To me, the headliner autograph guest was Frank Malzone, star 3rd baseman for the Sox from the mid 50's thru the early 60's. My 11 year old also got Bernie Carbo's autograph, but my other son and I both already had his. We had Malzone sign autos for both boys, a cool black & white photo of himself tagging out Willie Mays at 3rd in an All Star game, and a '58 Topps for me. The photo is now framed and is my dad's Father's Day gift (we haven't seen him yet). My card is below. I'm very pleased with it.
After the auto lines, we started to browse the tables. A few minutes later I heard "Dan?" It was CU member heritage. What a great guy! My son and I both really enjoyed meeting him. My first CU member met, btw.
One of my goals at the show was to pick up some of the few cards I needed to complete my 1959 Fleer Ted Williams set. As of yesterday morning, I was at 73/80. We saw a table with a nice stack and he had 3 I needed. We were able to negotiate a fair price and I happily snagged the cards below.
At first, I was thinking of subbing the "First Spring Training" card with Ted and Jimmie Foxx, but at a closer look there is a slight crimp in the right edge near the top corner, and also a surface "pimple" that doesn't show in the scan. If I thought the card would get a 6 or 7, I'd sub it, but I think there's a good chance it wouldn't. Still very happy with my purchase. If anybody has numbers 19, 45 and/or 75 for sale or trade, please let me know right away. I plan to try and purchase them this week. Then I'll be at 79/80 and only missing the SSSP #68. Still haven't decided what to do about that one.
My 11 year old was buying cheap David Ortiz cards left and right. My only other purchase (other than top loaders) was the item below. I passed on it a few months ago and have regretted it since. Happy to grab this one, even though it's quite ugly, hahaha.
That's a 1978 Penn Emblem player patch. PSA grades the set, and has graded quite a few of Pete Rose's 3 variations, but they've never graded the Yaz. I'm looking forward to getting this one slabbed! This eBay listing makes it seem like these are slabbed in pack holders. I have emailed PSA for confirmation.
Speaking of oddball Yaz items, the same dealer also had these labels, below. Anybody out there have any idea whether PSA would grade them?
Anyway, my son and I had a great time at the show, as always. A really nice way to spend Father's Day.
Side story - I attended the Red Sox Fantasy Camp last year, which is the most incredible experience for a Sox fan. One week of playing baseball and hanging out with a couple of dozen former players - how can you beat that??
One night, a few members of my team took our coaches - Butch Hobson, Luis Tiant and Frank Malzone - to dinner. The stories were flowing, as were the drinks, which led to more stories. It was an awesome night! Here's a pic from dinner that night. I will be back in Florida in January to do it again, and can't recommend it enough to everyone!
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
Speaking of great guys, we ran into heritage (George) again. If you haven't met George yet, he's just the best! Who said you need to go to the Natty to hang with CU dudes??
I came looking to hook one big fish and came up empty. Other than that, I mostly watched my 11 year old shop and only spent 5 bucks on some randomness that caught my eye:
Dealer-wise, this wasn't the strongest of the 5 Mansfield shows I've been to, but the experience with Parilli made the drive worthwhile. And at $29 total for 3 signed flats, you couldn't beat it!
Cheers
Marc
I can't make the next show, but there are 5 guests, including basketball HOFer Bailey Howell.
Jmaciu's Collection
<< <i>Dan, thanks for the update. Is the oval-shaped card plastic? It looks like it so I am curious. >>
It looks like a Perma-Graphic and if so, yes. Similar material to an old-school phone card.
DB, awesome update as always and looks like you got a couple cool items in addition to the autos!
I will say nothing better than a father and son hanging out at a card show. Glad you had a good time.
Dan your a good guy yourself.
Nice auto~the old timers are so much neater with their signatures.
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.
<< <i>
<< <i>Dan, thanks for the update. Is the oval-shaped card plastic? It looks like it so I am curious. >>
It looks like a Perma-Graphic and if so, yes. Similar material to an old-school phone card. >>
Yeah, it's a Perma-Graphic, and they are called Superstar credit cards
Tim, you're right, the old time guys have nicer sigs and charge less for them. Love those guys.
George, I hope one day you'll get to meet my other son!
I hope so too Dan.
Parilli was an absolute beast in the AFL once he found a home with the Boston Patriots.
It seems all too few, even in New England, know who he is or how dominant of a QB he was with Boston.
It's somewhat surprising how much be bounced around teams/leagues before becoming a perennial All-Star... wasn't he playing pro ball for almost 10 year prior?
By the way, what is that Yaz card? I am guessing it's from Popsicle since it looks an awful lot like the 1976 Popsicle Teams football set?
Snorto~
That Yaz card? Kyle nailed it earlier, it's a Perma-Graphics credit card from 1981.
<< <i>That Yaz card? Kyle nailed it earlier, it's a Perma-Graphics credit card from 1981. >>
D'oh, totally spaced out over that discussion.
Incidentally, here is a not entirely random example of the Popsicle cards I was talking about:
Cheap little set, aside from the very tough header card, with some stars selected for the team photos.
Snorto~
and 90's. N.E. Tn. has not had a show of decent size since then. Those
Perma-Graphics sure bring some good memories from the early 80's. Please,
everyone, keep posting your show experiences and finds!! Thanks
I asked Bob whether, since he's signed a lot of autographs and has seen a lot of cards, there was a particular card that he just hated looking at. He looked at my '78 RC, and said, "This one. It looks like someone beat the ***** out of me." Either he has the dryest sense of humor on earth or he was really bothered, because he wasn't smiling. I suspect it's the first.
Also I met an eBay seller who I had bought a lot of Evans cards and items from and he told me a great story of his dealings with the world's most prolific Evans collector before she died.
Anyhow, had a great time.
Manny, sounds like a plan! I'm not going to the next 2, but I'll let you know when I do.