The Hobby is Alive and Well in DC/Maryland
 

Today, my son and I attended a newer card show in Silver Spring, MD. As you can see from the pictures, it was packed! Over 50 tables, TONs of kids, and often little room to move. Almost every vendor had new and shiny stuff - I literally only saw 2 t206s at the show. But the place was buzzin. And tomorrow there is a 150 table show in Westminster, MD (a fairly random place for a show of this size).

Perhaps prices are down, but at least in your nation’s capital, the hobby is alive and well

Ryan - Did you see any vintage basketball ? Thx.

Great to see. Last week, I went to a similar show in Winchester, VA, where I live now, an hour or so outside of the beltway. First show of that size I'd been to in 25 years or so. Admission was free, and it, too, was packed to the rafters. Mostly shiny stuff, but what else would you expect people half my age to be collecting? A handful of dealers with some vintage, mostly postwar, and virtually zero memorabilia, so very little of interest to me. But it is heartwarming to see the hobby carrying on to newer generations no matter what they collect.

Looks like a good show. I wish we would have a big show here in Virginia Beach, VA.

I was hoping to come over but the boys were busy crushing the souls of the rest of the IAC in the wrestling championships.

What are the Westminster show? there was something called celeb fest in Carroll county tomorrow with wrestlers and guys like Pete rose doing autographs. Is that a card show too?

Wow!--guys like Pete Rose, how many of those are there?

Not too much, but some. I saw one Jabar rookie and another guy had some 1960’s basketball; also saw a few Bird/Johnson rookies

Nice Danny! Are they at Landon? Is your son Talan? I have two kids there now and they said maybe it’s him. You know we used to tear it up at Bullis back in the day.

Yes, that’s the one. Here is a link. I know nothing about it. My brother in law is taking my son, so I have to meet them out there. It says sports cards…

https://carrollcountyagcenter.com/ev...-show-feb-5th/

Great to see even the small shows booming.

Ok

That’s good and bad, whenever there’s large amounts of money you get some bad actors. I was hesitant at first but eBay’s AG has been phenomenal cutting down fraud on the site. Had someone recently buy a lot and wasn’t happy with the profit he made flipping and wanted a refund a month later. A couple years ago eBay would have refunded him but now the return was denied.

Don’t forget Virginia! My wife and I have a vacation place in Virginia Beach, so for the last 6 months or so I’ve doing this card show there. I hadn’t had a table at a card show in many, many years but I started collecting so many game used bats that I needed a place to sell some. They’ve had some great guests too which makes the show attendance even better. If anyone is interested, I’ve posted their latest show ad here.

I meant to convey that I was impressed,
sorry if it came across as something else.

Is this show worth it, I keep meaning to make the trip from richmond to go to one but havent yet. The rva shows that ive been to have been fun with a lttle of everything but the VA beach one seems like its bigger than anything we have.

Ryan, good to hear!

My son and I have started going to some local hotel shows here in NJ. They're also very busy. It's fun to do with him.

I’ve certainly enjoyed it. The monthly one at the bingo hall is small but fun. I’ve only been setting up at the Fieldhouse shows which is like every third or fourth month in the rotation and the attendance has been pretty decent.

Hi Jim,

Thanks for posting this. Will you be at this show? I'm planning to go.

Since switching from card collecting to game used memorabilia, I haven't been to a card show in 10 years.

You mentioned a Bingo Hall in Virginia Beach. Is this the one you're referring to on Witchduck Road? When I was collecting cards, I never missed a show. The shows weren't big, but they were fun.

In my post, I mentioned I wish we had a big show in Virginia Beach. I'm referring to a national show. We have the huge convention center, with many hotels on the beach, and we now have the first casino in Virginia, in Portsmouth, VA. I'm hoping one day we will have one here.

Hobby is alive and well
 

I agree with the sentiments expressed so far. There is a local show in
Xenia, Ohio (population approximately 25,000 and located near Dayton,
and certainly within easy driving of Cincinnati) that attracts 170+ tables
monthly! It started smaller and has grown at a steady pace. There is a
variety of sport and era available, memorabilia, even non sport in surprising
amounts. I have no dog in the fight- don't have a table or a role other than
to attend- it is just a lot fun. Hope it keeps up! Trent King

PS- Can't wait for Strongsville in April, now THAT is a great show. Rickey
Henderson autograph guest:)

Jim,

I had no idea just how big this show is. Thanks!

Tony,

I'll be at the Feb. 25th show at the Fieldhouse. The bingo hall I mentioned is the Pembroke Bingo Hall - http://www.757cardshows.com/

I'd love a great big show in VB or Richmond for that matter.

Sure thing! Its a good size!

I miss the Tuff card shows at the Fairgrounds in Richmond. Attachment 555791

Same! When I first moved to Richmond, I was so happy to see regular card shows with good guests in Richmond.

Westminster card (and wrestling) show. Great Dam McKee sighting. The pictures don’t reflect it, but the place is pretty packed

The guys from my lcs in Richmond are there and posted a video about the show saying the same thing. it looked packed!

Ernie White and Tuff Stuff! He really did know how to throw a card show. Got a lot of cards and had a lot of fun at those shows over the years.

I missed the shows this weekend. Seems like there was great turnout. Looking forward to the meetup in a few weeks!

i remember going to house of cards....

+1

I miss ALL the great shows from back when you could come home with a car full of great vintage memorabilia without having to take out a second mortgage. Seems like there was a terrific show in this area about every week or so, many great Baltimore shows, Tuff Stuff in Richmond, NatsFests, Chantilly, Nick Shoff, House of Cards, and of course the Philly Show in all of its incarnations just a couple hours away, I'm sure I'm missing a few. It was always so exciting to walk into those shows in the 90s and aughts, you never knew what you might find.

Theres a show in Richmond on saturday that im going to try to go to that im hoping is just as busy as the shows we've been talking about here!

Got a link?

https://tidewatercardsandcollectible...-show-calendar

Looks like its at the VFW Post 9808 in Mechanicsville from 9-3

Thanks! May have to check that out.

The Hobby is Alive and Well
 

... in New Jersey as well!

On Saturday I went to a small show (about 65 tables) in Woodbridge at a Hampton Inn... I went with my 2 nephews. There was mostly new shiny stuff with some vintage mixed in. The only prizes I walked off with was some graded Pokemon cards for my (13-year old) Daughter, nothing for me...

On Sunday, I followed that up at the same venue (also about 65 tables) with an exclusively Pokemon Show, this time with my Daughter. That show was SO crowded that I couldn't even get to the front of many tables. I spent about an hour, then we went to lunch at a Long Horn (attached to the hotel), hoping it would get better; then went back to the show, and things did not change. I just waved to a couple of dealers that I met the day before (that had set up then) as I could not get close enough to their tables and my Daughter got impatient in waiting... so, other then the one PSA 10 card I did purchase for her, we purchased an additonal box and we were off our merry way...

Bottom line... The "Card" Market is alive and well in many spots!!!

Thanks for the update, Ryan. It's always good to see busy local shows.
.

Definitely. The 2nd Burbank Show is this weekend...in Ontario (kind of like having a New York City show in Connecticut). I won't make that one but hopefully it will be a smashing success too.

Glad to see your son is still into the cards, Ryan. Mine is, too. Go Bears!

Hi Jack! How are you? How is Tennessee?

Had a great time at my first card show in more than 20 years. After 3 hours, it was difficult to walk around because it was packed. Mostly modern, some vintage. I picked up an SGC 3.5 1954 Willie Mays. Nicely centered, clean card.

Highlight was meeting Jim (Vintagedeputy) at the show (see pic). Enjoyed talking to you Jim!

Didn't care much for card prices not being visible (a change from when I went to shows 20 years ago). Frustrating having to constantly ask sellers how much a card was.

Doc Gooden and Oil Can Boyd didn't show up to the show for signing autographs. Felt bad for those collectors/fans who were looking forward to getting their autographs.

Overall, a good time!