2015 My National Recap : Best Of All It Was Shared With Friends.
BPorter26
Posts: 3,499 ✭✭✭✭✭
I haven't attended the National since 2012 in Baltimore. So in spite of the skyrocketing prices in the card market, I decided to attend this year with an open mind. I didn't have a focus like I've had for past Nationals. We arrived at the Natty Thursday morning around 10:30 and started to walk the floor. As we were walking we kept on bumping into people that we knew. We'd stop, chat, and then start to browse again and then bump into a few more people we knew and stop to chat again. So as I was walking around it struck me that this event isn't just about the thrill of collecting. Instead, it's come to mean much more on a personal level; it's about the friendships we've formed over the last several years-- whether at the show or on this board. To be honest, I found myself less enthralled with the show and more interested in seeing how everyone one else was doing. I got more excited about what kind of item's everyone else was picking up than my own. To me it's not about cards and memorabilia anymore but the friendships I've been fortunate to make over the years as well as the new ones that strike up.
I also noticed that anytime someone introduced themselves it was always followed up with, "What's your handle on CU?" I found that very amusing. It was a true pleasure to see these friends again (and if I left anyone off the list I truly apologize): Mike (CPAMike), Dustin (Doublestriker), Eric (Thosebackpages), Kirk(Mrmint23), Andy (Paelocards), Mike (Mkenz), Dan (Thunderdan), Jeff (Card Country), Tim (Beck6), Logan and his son Tyler (KingNascar), Scott (otwcards), Curt (Bbcemporium
and of course my best friend Matt (Mbmiller25).
And then there were the new people I met who were super friendly: Barry (Californiacards), Geordie (TNP777), Manny (Flatfoot816), David(MikeLowell25), Matt and his brother (MattyC), Mike (Stone193), Jeremy (Mantlefan23), Tom (Ron Burgany), and Evan (Ergosim).
My synopsis of the 2015 National: prices for vintage cards as well as the newer, shiny ones were through the roof but it did not stop people from buying. I think dealers are speculating on prices months down the road so they're not leaving money on the table. I can tell you I sold two mid grade 50's rookies a couple of months ago and I left money on the table.
The unopened market is still very healthy as there's plenty of it. At past shows I saw maybe two or three booths with unopened product, this year it was between 8-10,of those that had unopen majority had the BBCE wrap on the boxes. Even though BBCE is the still the top dog and will always be, some dealers are catching on. There was a lot of mid 70's and up baseball boxes. Overall the show itself was fun but the camaraderie of hanging with the boys was the true pinnacle of the event.
Here are my pickups:
Great centered Jackie I could not pass up on. Thanks again Jeff (Card Country) He had amazing showcase of HOF baseball rookies and other vintage.
I've been looking for this ticket for the last two years, I couldn't have been happier.
I love the 72's in basketball as I just picked up the DR J rookie and this card was calling my name (BBCE booth)
These were pre-national pickups but arrived after I left so since I didn't have in hand until I came back I thought I would share
Game used from the July 4th game against the Cleveland Indians. Walker had the lone RBI as the Bucs won 1-0
I couldn't pass this ticket up. As some of you know I grew up in Maine and the 86 Sox were such a fun team. I went to 6 games that year plus the ALCS G-2 and WS G-3
Lastly my meeting with Dan Dierdorf. My dad was high school teammates with Dan. It was neat to watch his reaction when I told him who I was and then showing him the pictures of his high school teams. (football and track). He was a super nice guy. We exchanged e-mails for me to send him these photos as my dad had extra copies.
Lastly we were heading to the bar to have drinks and bumped into two of the members of the 80 Miracle on Ice team. (Jack O'Callahan and Mike Eruzione) All I can say, both were extremely gracious and chatted with Matt and I for at least 10 minutes.
I also noticed that anytime someone introduced themselves it was always followed up with, "What's your handle on CU?" I found that very amusing. It was a true pleasure to see these friends again (and if I left anyone off the list I truly apologize): Mike (CPAMike), Dustin (Doublestriker), Eric (Thosebackpages), Kirk(Mrmint23), Andy (Paelocards), Mike (Mkenz), Dan (Thunderdan), Jeff (Card Country), Tim (Beck6), Logan and his son Tyler (KingNascar), Scott (otwcards), Curt (Bbcemporium
and of course my best friend Matt (Mbmiller25).
And then there were the new people I met who were super friendly: Barry (Californiacards), Geordie (TNP777), Manny (Flatfoot816), David(MikeLowell25), Matt and his brother (MattyC), Mike (Stone193), Jeremy (Mantlefan23), Tom (Ron Burgany), and Evan (Ergosim).
My synopsis of the 2015 National: prices for vintage cards as well as the newer, shiny ones were through the roof but it did not stop people from buying. I think dealers are speculating on prices months down the road so they're not leaving money on the table. I can tell you I sold two mid grade 50's rookies a couple of months ago and I left money on the table.
The unopened market is still very healthy as there's plenty of it. At past shows I saw maybe two or three booths with unopened product, this year it was between 8-10,of those that had unopen majority had the BBCE wrap on the boxes. Even though BBCE is the still the top dog and will always be, some dealers are catching on. There was a lot of mid 70's and up baseball boxes. Overall the show itself was fun but the camaraderie of hanging with the boys was the true pinnacle of the event.
Here are my pickups:
Great centered Jackie I could not pass up on. Thanks again Jeff (Card Country) He had amazing showcase of HOF baseball rookies and other vintage.
I've been looking for this ticket for the last two years, I couldn't have been happier.
I love the 72's in basketball as I just picked up the DR J rookie and this card was calling my name (BBCE booth)
These were pre-national pickups but arrived after I left so since I didn't have in hand until I came back I thought I would share
Game used from the July 4th game against the Cleveland Indians. Walker had the lone RBI as the Bucs won 1-0
I couldn't pass this ticket up. As some of you know I grew up in Maine and the 86 Sox were such a fun team. I went to 6 games that year plus the ALCS G-2 and WS G-3
Lastly my meeting with Dan Dierdorf. My dad was high school teammates with Dan. It was neat to watch his reaction when I told him who I was and then showing him the pictures of his high school teams. (football and track). He was a super nice guy. We exchanged e-mails for me to send him these photos as my dad had extra copies.
Lastly we were heading to the bar to have drinks and bumped into two of the members of the 80 Miracle on Ice team. (Jack O'Callahan and Mike Eruzione) All I can say, both were extremely gracious and chatted with Matt and I for at least 10 minutes.
"EVERYBODY LOVE EVERYBODY IT SAYS IT RIGHT THERE ON THE WALL" - JACKIE MOON
0
Comments
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.
So glad to see that you were able to get some of the items that you wanted.
I'd love to be able to get to A/C next year. The ONLY National I went to was in 1988 ... in A/C.
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.
T222's PSA 1 or better
Met up with Matt today to get the Franco. Can't thank you guys enough. That this is a beauty!!!!
My eBay Auctions
My PSA Sets
"Common sense is the best distributed commodity in the world, for every man is convinced that he is well supplied with it"
Instagram: mattyc_collection
You and Matt need to road trip it up to AC next year.
Dan... No need to apologize. I'm glad I was able to pickup my balls at PSA.
Mike... I'm glad you like the Franco, it's sure a beauty.
It was a pleasure to meet you.
The GU uni is sweet!!!!
Beautiful centering on a really nice Robinson also.
Great meeting you. Nice pickups. Dig the Stargell ticket.
All the best.
Jim
<< <i>Bobby -
Great meeting you. Nice pickups. Dig the Stargell ticket.
All the best.
Jim >>
Hiya Jim - just wanted to add it was a pleasure meeting you.
Mark
T206 Set - 300/524
Cool pickup on the Jackie. Presents well. Now you own two
I just want to tell you how much I enjoyed your write-up and photos of your 2015 National experience. I was very moved---honest. Meeting someone who was a high school teammate of your Dad's is downright special. Having a swell experience with a couple of "our" Miracle on Ice guys made my heart so glad for you. How well I remember the night they beat the Russians.
Lastly, I absolutely love your '53 Topps Jackie Robinson. The thoroughly crisp picture registry and absence of any kind of distracting wear or print dots/marks/et al is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As the dreaded card numero uno, I cannot but imagine this card traces to one of the famous finds of the late 80s or 90s from a major hobby player of the time. It's too clean to have been opened by a child, or adult, in 1953, and saved all this time. This Jackie Robinson is so pack-fresh, unless the light from the scanner brightened it, but that would have shown on the red of the PSA label. So, it seems to me you got a gem that just had a couple corner touches, shrunk the grade and the price, and you have a dead centered MINT card photo. Nice going, bro!
Again, thank you for sharing. ---Indiana Jones (Brian Powell)
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
Collecting:
Any unopened Baseball cello and rack packs and boxes from the 1970's and early 1980s.
Next year in Atlantic City!
Was nice seeing you, didnt seem like 2012 was your last one
WTB: PSA 1 - PSA 3 Centered, High Eye Appeal 1950's Mantle
Great write up, and love the Jackie! Congrats!
Jeremy
Jmaciu's Collection
great story and pic of Dierdorf. Nice to have met you and chatted a bit.
Next year we all have to break bread and find the time to have a few cold ones
See you in 12 months!
I collect: 80’s Rookies and 86 Fleer Basketball
Jeff
Card Country
Graded stars 1950's-1980