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FINAL UPDATE: Charmy's CHICAGO ANA Show Report w/lots of Pics!
ThePennyLady
Posts: 4,441 ✭✭✭✭✭
After having my Saturday flight cancelled, I took a Sunday afternoon flight and finally arrived late Sunday night.
And I know my report is a bit delinquent, but this show has been one of my busiest shows ever! And I haven't gotten back to my room before midnight until tonight! I have tried several times to start a report, only to (gratefully) have another customer stop by my table. In a nutshell, this has been an exhaustingly wonderful show so far, with lots of buying and selling going on!
First, let me say that the weather here in Chicago has been wonderfully comfortable! Not to humid or not, with bright blue skies during the day and cool breezy evenings.
Day 1 (Monday):
I went to the preshow Monday morning, and my first impression was that this room is absolutely HUGE - probably the biggest showroom I have been in! However, the preshow was pretty sparsely attended at least on Monday morning, so I was able to sit and buy new inventory coins at my leisure from several of my favorite dealers - and buy I did! I bought at least 20 new slabs and many more new raw pieces! I even bought a stunning "Christmas tree" toned new 1882 NGC MS66 RB for my personal collection.
Everyone I spoke to said the preshow was not very well attended, though many vest pocket dealers said they did well. Part of the problem was that all the dealers were able to set up at the preshow at their regular assigned table so they wouldn't have to move during the main show. However, the showroom floor is so huge that having all the preshow dealers spread out all over the showroom made the whole room seem very sparse. I'm not sure what could be done to make it more successful, but the dealers I spoke to were not comfortable with the preshow set up.
Soon it was time to set up my table that I share with Todd/Blue62vette (table # 1235). Since Todd was still teaching his photography class, I had the booth to myself and could take my time getting everything in place so that when Todd showed up he would have the room to set up his photo booth. Since set up was scheduled from 3pm til 5:30pm, there wasn't a lot of time for those not already set up for the preshow to make the rounds before it was time to shut down for the night.
We decided to head to downtown Chicago to Little Italy for some Italian food. We ended up at this little Italian Cabaret restaurant which had ok food and a slightly stale Cabaret program. It wasn't bad, but not really my thing.
We then walked around downtown for a little while looking for a Blues club.
We came upon the House of blues but there were no available seats so we didn't stay long.
So I was beginning to think that my first night in downtown Chicago wasn't exactly what I thought it would be .... that is, until we found the BEST little Blues pub on the planet - Blue Chicago! WOW, what a GREAT place that was! The band was fantastic, so good that I even bought one of their CD's!
Day 2 (Tuesday):
Tuesday was fantastically busy from the moment I arrived. I took some photos of the crowds and lines on the way in - it's always a good sign when there are lots of people gathered to get into a show, but I understand it did take a while to get everyone registered and finally in the door. However, I am hopeful everyone thought/thinks it was worth the wait!
Larry Shepherd greeting attendees at the registration table...
The exhibit area
The showroom before the public was let in (it is HUGE!)
Todd and I were very busy all day on Tuesday, and many many forum members graciously stopped by to say hi (ok, many were there to have Todd photograph there coins and some even purchased a coin or two from me - THANK YOU!). Here are photos of several forum members who allowed me to take their photo for my report (notice how they are a lot less blurry!)....
Fred Weinberg and his assistant, Kathy, who are our neighbors!
Liz and Gayle with J.J. Teaparty
Stacks Bowers Guys
Ian Russell and me
Dan/Catbert
Tony at Northern Nevada Coin
Greg/Halfcentman
Pat/WindyCity
The whole day just flew by, but of course, I did manage to take a breather to open a nice bottle of wine that my good buddy Ron Sirna brought over!
Before we knew it, it was time to cover our cases and head out - we couldn't believe how the day just flew by! Since we signed up to attend the ANA Awards Banquet at the Shedd Aquarium we headed over to the buses. I took lots of photos at the aquarium and more, but it's quite late right now and I will post more tomorrow...
And I know my report is a bit delinquent, but this show has been one of my busiest shows ever! And I haven't gotten back to my room before midnight until tonight! I have tried several times to start a report, only to (gratefully) have another customer stop by my table. In a nutshell, this has been an exhaustingly wonderful show so far, with lots of buying and selling going on!
First, let me say that the weather here in Chicago has been wonderfully comfortable! Not to humid or not, with bright blue skies during the day and cool breezy evenings.
Day 1 (Monday):
I went to the preshow Monday morning, and my first impression was that this room is absolutely HUGE - probably the biggest showroom I have been in! However, the preshow was pretty sparsely attended at least on Monday morning, so I was able to sit and buy new inventory coins at my leisure from several of my favorite dealers - and buy I did! I bought at least 20 new slabs and many more new raw pieces! I even bought a stunning "Christmas tree" toned new 1882 NGC MS66 RB for my personal collection.
Everyone I spoke to said the preshow was not very well attended, though many vest pocket dealers said they did well. Part of the problem was that all the dealers were able to set up at the preshow at their regular assigned table so they wouldn't have to move during the main show. However, the showroom floor is so huge that having all the preshow dealers spread out all over the showroom made the whole room seem very sparse. I'm not sure what could be done to make it more successful, but the dealers I spoke to were not comfortable with the preshow set up.
Soon it was time to set up my table that I share with Todd/Blue62vette (table # 1235). Since Todd was still teaching his photography class, I had the booth to myself and could take my time getting everything in place so that when Todd showed up he would have the room to set up his photo booth. Since set up was scheduled from 3pm til 5:30pm, there wasn't a lot of time for those not already set up for the preshow to make the rounds before it was time to shut down for the night.
We decided to head to downtown Chicago to Little Italy for some Italian food. We ended up at this little Italian Cabaret restaurant which had ok food and a slightly stale Cabaret program. It wasn't bad, but not really my thing.
We then walked around downtown for a little while looking for a Blues club.
We came upon the House of blues but there were no available seats so we didn't stay long.
So I was beginning to think that my first night in downtown Chicago wasn't exactly what I thought it would be .... that is, until we found the BEST little Blues pub on the planet - Blue Chicago! WOW, what a GREAT place that was! The band was fantastic, so good that I even bought one of their CD's!
Day 2 (Tuesday):
Tuesday was fantastically busy from the moment I arrived. I took some photos of the crowds and lines on the way in - it's always a good sign when there are lots of people gathered to get into a show, but I understand it did take a while to get everyone registered and finally in the door. However, I am hopeful everyone thought/thinks it was worth the wait!
Larry Shepherd greeting attendees at the registration table...
The exhibit area
The showroom before the public was let in (it is HUGE!)
Todd and I were very busy all day on Tuesday, and many many forum members graciously stopped by to say hi (ok, many were there to have Todd photograph there coins and some even purchased a coin or two from me - THANK YOU!). Here are photos of several forum members who allowed me to take their photo for my report (notice how they are a lot less blurry!)....
Fred Weinberg and his assistant, Kathy, who are our neighbors!
Liz and Gayle with J.J. Teaparty
Stacks Bowers Guys
Ian Russell and me
Dan/Catbert
Tony at Northern Nevada Coin
Greg/Halfcentman
Pat/WindyCity
The whole day just flew by, but of course, I did manage to take a breather to open a nice bottle of wine that my good buddy Ron Sirna brought over!
Before we knew it, it was time to cover our cases and head out - we couldn't believe how the day just flew by! Since we signed up to attend the ANA Awards Banquet at the Shedd Aquarium we headed over to the buses. I took lots of photos at the aquarium and more, but it's quite late right now and I will post more tomorrow...
Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®
0
Comments
You might could load all your pictures to Photobucket and give us the link
to look at them and save you from copy & paste here. I love a ton of pics.
I do that when I go to Daytona NA$CAR Media Day.
Thanks For The Ones Here They're GREAT !!!
Ron
Is that why the forums have been so dead lately?
I haven't been to a show since Charlotte ANA in '07. Thanks for the pix. Made me feel like I was walkin' the bourse in my Holey Coin Vest.
I always love the pics that you include. Keep em' coming.
Mike
Please post more when you get a chance.
Is it something you've already seen?
EAC 6024
Great report as usual. I live 15 minutes away and I cant get there
Now let's see a few coins that you lurkers picked up while there !
Come on , don't be SHY, town.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Aren't little clubs like that the best? Some of my favorite times have been spent happening upon a great band in some off the beaten path smaller venue. Glad to hear you had fun and very much look forward to more reports from you.
So after the show, we boarded the ANA bus and headed to the Aquarium.
David/ANA
Emily/ANA
When we got there, they had a nice bar set up out outside overlooking the bay and the city - what a beautiful location it was and the weather was once again wonderful!
Julian Leidman
My "posse"!
Then we went to the awards dinner - that's PonyExpress and MFH at our table!
And then got to tour the aquarium
After the aquarium, we went back to Chicago Blue - they had the same band but a different lead singer who wasn't quite as good as the night before, but still the rhythm and blues music was wonderful!
More shortly....
https://thepennylady.com/
Unreal Far Out Fantastic
And I don't know
Those Are GREAT !!!!
WOW, Wednesday was non-stop busy for both Todd and me! We couldn't believe how fast the day went by, and neither one of us even had time to take a breather (which is a good thing really!). Again, several forum members (and other dignataries stopped by too.
Don Willis
My fellow Tom Petty buddy - Jeff/Breakdown
Chris/Halfhunter
My other posse - Darth Vader and Stormtrooper
Darkstar
I also got to quickly visit Jonathan's amazing MPL collection at Legend's table - those are some STUNNING coins!
Todd did the beautiful photography for the background poster in the display
Another forum member brought me this bottle of wine from his young cousin's family vineyard and I plan to open it shortly!
https://thepennylady.com/
Another rockin' coin show report.
Please keep 'em coming!
Lance.
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
Thank you for the time you take, to give us all a glimpse into
a wonderful show
Alan
President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay
As usual, thanks! I always enjoy your photo packed reports.
Wish we could have gotten together on that Flying Eagle, but I lost my buddy in that big hall and he is the copper guy I rely on for advice.
Best wishes,
Pete
Louis Armstrong
That show looks many, many times larger than any show i've ever been to. I need to get out more.
I want to visit Chicago some day.
Thursday and today have been extrememly busy again! Todd and I have been quite surprised at the consistency of traffic at this show. Instead of it dying down in the afternoon, it seems to pick up speed - for which we are very grateful!.
I missed the PCGS lunch yesterday but did manage to attend the Fly-In Club meeting today. We saw a lot of Indian cent countrfeits which were very scary since many of the counterfeits are so well done.
Any way, here are more photos I've taken through the past couple days....
A very interesting new error I picked up for my own collection
David Hall and me
Stuart Blay
Harry Lapstein's table
One of the cutest little guys I saw at the show! He was at my table doing the treasure trivia hunt
Ed/MrCoin3
Mike/MikeNoodle and Carlton/Wiggam007
Michael Hassler who won the award for the best Everyman Registry Set
Mike Ellis/new ANA Governor
Alan/Northern Nevada Coin
Ken Potter
The Twins Jeff and Bill
Jim Bush/Shrub68
David/Whitman Publishing getting his shoes shined!
The NGC Crew
The Pretty PCGS Gals
More later....
https://thepennylady.com/
Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
Had a great dinner with Airplanenut last night called Taboun Grill in Skokie. A wonderful meal.
MFH and I are going out to Vincent's tonight, a Dutch food place to belatedly celebrate Dennis88 birthday of last week. Dennis was going around PA and NY and NJ following Bob Dylan around until he got here Tuesday!
Hope to catch up with you Charmy after dinner at Chicago Blues.
Glenn
Website-Americana Rare Coin Inc
I'm gonna get Dennis88 loaded - repeat loaded !!
Stand by for a few hard laughs... BTW - he's wearing "THE HAT"
He looks like one of the Blues Brothers in it...LOL
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coin collecting is not a hobby, it's an obsession !
New Barber Purchases
<< <i>I'm gonna get Dennis88 loaded - repeat loaded !!
Stand by for a few hard laughs... BTW - he's wearing "THE HAT"
He looks like one of the Blues Brothers in it...LOL >>
"the hat" and "the jacket"?
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coin collecting is not a hobby, it's an obsession !
New Barber Purchases
Todd and Dan/BidAsk
Paul/Commoncents
Larry Shapiro
Yellow River Coins
I was finally able to get by the ANA exhibits, and WOW, there are some fantastic coins on display.
Here are some more YNs who stopped by my table to do the treasure trivia hunt
I bought a deal of beautiful PCGS Lincoln cents that I haven't even had time to put out!
Mike/MikeNoodle on CoinTalk and Matt/Renomedphys on PCGS forum ended up joining us for our last night out here in Chicago. What two great guys they are! It was great getting to know Mike who I've seen on the CoinTalk forum for years. We started with a couple of yummy drinks at the Embassy Suites Hotel....
Then we took a cab downtown and walked around for a while...
PT Cruiser car show
And then ended up back at Blue Chicago for another night of wonderful rythym and blues music! Boy was it packed - standing room only - and what great music. This band had lots of energy and played a full 2 hours before taking a break!
Ron and Mike
Mike, Me, and Matt
So, that’s about it for now, I’ll do a wrap up later, but I can tell you that it’s definitely been one of my best shows ever – both selling and buying! And from what I can tell from talking with other dealers, they have had similar comments!
https://thepennylady.com/
jom
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448