General National question
 

Last year was the first time I ever went to the National and I set up. I didn't get a ton of time to explore, and due to circumstances was unable to go this year, but plan on going next year.

My father has a large amount of non-sports collectibles from 40s-60s ranging from TV show memorabilia to paper ephemera to vintage tin toys, you name it and he has it. He was asking me if I thought this sort of stuff would sell at the National if he were to split a booth with me and my vintage cards. I seem to remember seeing at least one booth last year that sold non-sport 50s and 60s stuff, though not exclusively. Is this the sort of thing that may have a market at this show, or is there too little overlap in interest? Are there other non-sport dealers who set up?

Thanks!

Anyone? Or anyone there this year willing to take a look and see if they notice people with this sort of stuff there?

I will take a look. It is a sports collectors convention but I'd have to assume at least a couple of dealers bring non sports items to sell.

i would think there'd be interest in this kind of stuff.

I've bought non-sport cards at the National before, but I don't think there would be many dealers selling that sort of material. But you never know, that may work in your favor.

Yeah I've seen plenty of non sport CARDS, but not a ton of other stuff that is non sport. Of course it is a sports convention but I have to assume there's some level of overlap with some collectors, no? Enough to justify a third of a booth in the whole place?

Thanks for all the replies!

You might also check out Hake's if you're looking to sell the stuff anyway. That would reach your target audience.

I think you would do well. Go to the net54 non sport board. Many complaints about lack of material and declining dealers. I would be a buyer as I do collect both.

I spent the better part of the day there today and didn't see many non-sport collectibles, but that doesn't mean you wouldn't do well. There's benefit to standing out from the crowd at times.

Thanks - I do wonder if standing out would be good for him - I have to imagine there's some layer of overlap in collectors

I agree with Sam. I saw nothing, but that doesn't mean people wouldn't be interested.

Edit: I did see a guy selling a 500 and 1000 bill. I've always wanted one. If anyone knows anything about these and their value please pm me. I know nothing about them other than that it would be cool to own one.

I have seen comics, Star Wars figures, and other types of toys at nationals for years and years. I think you'd do just fine.

They're worth $500 and $1000 respectively.

Sorry, that was too easy for me to pass up. ;)


In answer to the OP, I collect both, and always welcome a dealer who has non sports. However, the suggestion of posting it here first seems like a lot less work, as a starting point. You have to catalog it anyhow.

Thanks - to be clear it's not non-sports cards but rather memorabilia (figures, paper ephemera, board games, toys, etc)

Will let my father know all the responses!

I did see one table with some autographed star wars and star trek stuff, along with signed sports memorabilia

I have done both
 

I used to set up at some larger shows - "willow grove", Nassau coliseum, Robert Morris and a few other larger regional shows (never the national.....yet). I used to bring many non sport (TV,Movie, Rock N Roll related cover themes)magazines from the 1950's-1980's. Mainly I used them as a hook to try to buy more - that worked REALLY well as no one else in the place advertised they were buying that stuff. On occasion I would sell something - but it was not usual.

Thanks for the lookout and for the personal experience!

You would be better off doing the Chicago toy show. It's much cheaper than the national and you would have many more collectors of your type of material. I set up there with a table of sports and two tables of toys.

Was not familiar with it, I will check it out! Thanks!

There was some music related stuff.

Talked to a non sport dealer today at the sbow. All be had was 50-60's non sport and he told me he has had a great show. FYI

The non-sports guys are ticked that there aren't more non-sports dealers. Set it up and give it a shot. Worse case is you don't make a profit but have a great time.

Regarding the $500 and $1,000 bill. Yes, they are worth $500 and $1,000. I once sold some Ricky Henderson rookie cards and got 5 $100 bills from 1932 or so. Looked it up, worth $105 in a price guide. Couldn't figure out why until I realized that the person who kept these could have put it in the stock market and each $100 would have been worth around $15,000. Over $50,000 if dividends were reinvested. That was about 15 years ago.

Thanks to those who reached out via pm on the 500 and 1,000 bills. I do realize that these aren't really investments. I just thought it would be cool to have one. Someone must have beat me to the one at the national. That, or I managed to wander around for the last day and a half and never found that table again.

Funny how that happens, you think you'll easily retrace your steps to find something you had seen earlier, then you can't even find the vendor. If you do, it takes longer than you think, getting sidetracked like a stray dog by something else that look's interesting.

There is a small bar at the national to get a beer. I saw it at 11am which was admittedly a tad early for the day. When I finally tried to find it after lunch it took me an hour to find it. Ridiculous. It's like being in a Vegas casino.

non-sport
 

Just got back from walking the entire floor at this year's National. There are numerous dealers selling non-sport stuff. My girlfriend went and she specifically commented that there was a lot more than just sports cards and memorabilia there. She actually bought a Santa bobble head.

Yea I had remembered in a different national thread someone suggesting to wear comfortable shoes, and bring a notepad to write down where stuff was you wanted to look at again. At least I followed the part about the shoes.

Non sports
 

There were a ton of non sports cards, plus a lot of non sports paper, leathers, posters, dolls, silks, flags, games, advertising pieces, tobacco packs, Elvis items, Marilyn items, clothing, etc. I collect some non sports cards, so I was watching for non sports dealers, and several of those card dealers also had memorabilia type items. I would think you could do quite well if you have some quality items.

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wonderful to hear. thanks all!