Anyone remember : "Ed Walsh Presents" at Convention Hall in Asbury Park NJ

[Chuck9788]

Growing up on the New Jersey shore (circa 1982-1986) I would attend "Ed Walsh Presents" card shows at Convention Hall in Asbury Park NJ. The show was pretty big and I met many of my vintage heroes for autographs (like, Eddie Lopat, Hank Aaron and Dave Winfield).

The gentleman who ran the show also owned a baseball card store in Eatontown or Shrewsbury NJ called "Ed Walsh Sports Cards".


I was just curious if any of the vets around here may remember this or possibly whatever happened to the proprietor?

[z28jd]

I went to the shows as a little kid and a few years later when I lived outside of Eatontown, I went to his card shop.

He had a funny story about a break-in at his shop, which sounds funny to say. He used to have a Honus Wagner reprint in one of his cases. It had a $10,000 price tag on it, but on the back it said "$10,000 for mint, but it has a bent corner, so $15". Someone broke into his store and stole just that reprint, which wasn't even worth $15.

No idea what happened to him. The store was still open when I moved away.

He also had a reprint card of the Hall of Famer Ed Walsh by his register and said that he was related to him, although that story was always followed shortly by him admitting he wasn't

[Jay Wolt]

I went to the Aaron & Winfield shows back in the early 80's
Was a great venue for a show.
Coincidentally the wife & I will be heading to Asbury Park in October
& we always check Convention Hall & suspect the Casino won't even be standing on the other end by Ocean Grove

[tedzan]

Hi Jay

Hurricane Sandy (2012) devastated the Casino at the south end of the boardwalk in Asbury Park. Convention Hall (at the north end) still stands.

Ed Walsh ran some great BB card Shows in Convention Hall during the 1980's. I'll never forget when Yogi Berra was the guest of honor. He was
tremendous. Yogi's wife Carmen was so delightful. She went around to every dealer at the Show looking for Yogi memorabilia. What an amazing
woman to talk with.

Ed had a Sports related store in Red Bank (NJ), which had an eclectic array of vintage cards (pre-war and post-war). My job was near Red Bank,
so there were many lunchtime visits to Ed's shop. Ed would come up with "tons" of great stuff. Circa 1985, Ed acquired a huge collection of early
1950's BOWMAN and TOPPS cards. Including Ex/Mint to near Mint 1953 BOWMAN (color and B/W) cards. I purchased approx. 200 of these cards
which completed my set, and also enabled me to start a 2nd set.

Also, Ed ran a monthly Auction during the 1980's, of which there were some really great buys.

He was a good friend, and I can't say enough good things about him.


TED Z
.

[Jay Wolt]

Hi Jay

Hurricane Sandy (2012) devastated the Casino at the south end of the boardwalk in Asbury Park. Convention Hall (at the north end) still stands.


TED Z
.

Ted that's sad to hear.
This is what it looked like the last time I was there.
Makes sense it couldn't handle Hurricane Sandy

https://newexilesite.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/casino2.jpg

[tedzan]

Ted that's sad to hear.
This is what it looked like the last time I was there.
Makes sense it couldn't handle Hurricane Sandy

https://newexilesite.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/casino2.jpg


Jay

The structure still stands; however, it's a "shell" of what I remember from my youth. The Merry-Go-Round is gone. The arcades, game concessions, the food vendors, are all gone.
Even the boat slip for rowing on the inlet has vanished.

As you said...."it's sad"....very sad.


TED Z
.