I attended the Probstein autographfest/table show last Friday and yesterday at the American Dream Mall in NJ. Maybe spent an hour each time. It was a small show and I don't know if Rick sold all the tables (seemed like some empty space). Was a really sharp podium set up where I assume there was going to be panel discussions.
For those of you from out of the area, the American Dream Mall is more like the American Nightmare mall. A massive indoor mall next door to Giants Stadium that has been a disastrous money pit for investors since the day it was conceived. People have lost tens, hundred of millions. A billion? Lost count now. Has run out of money numerous times and closed, only to be bailed out by more private equity geniuses, to then close again, rinse and repeat. Covid hasn't helped matters. The mall was massive, largely deserted, and felt surreal. Weird place for a show but maybe the price was right. Mall is again tottering on collapse which I am sure will happen.
I went Friday soon after it opened and Sunday a few hours before closing. A few observations for anyone who cares:
- I'd guess the tables were about 20% vintage, 30% newer baseball, maybe 5% vintage memorabilia, and the rest basketball, football, jerseys, etc. Not a wasteland for vintage and a few interesting tables. A picture of a nice case below. A few guys had non-sports cards which were cool to see.
- Lots of interest in new basketball. I assume people trying to make money as that market has softened considerably.
- Saw one guy with some real nice type 1 photos. Is on ebay (forget name) and have seen many of them before.
- On the positive side a lot of younger people sitting at tables and shopping. On a few occasions say a teen guy selling with his sister or girlfriend with him.
- On the negative side, most of the discussions I heard young people having was about "eBay comps". If I overhead heard that phrase one I heard it 75 times. The "it's all about investing" crowd would have felt very vindicated.
- Didn't recognize familiar faces other than Rick who was bouncing around non stop. No major AH that I saw.
- Was a new grading company there, ISA? Never heard of them maybe some of you have. All smiling young kids being friendly and polite and well dressed. Looked like a Mormon retreat or something.
- PSA was there. Didn't walk over. No crazy line like National.
- Last day I spoke at length with a collector of Jewish sports stuff about Koufax and many others. Dude in his 20s. He was real interesting. Was nice to have at least one discussion with a collector who had a deep meaningful connection with his collection. Had some nice stuff and knew his stuff. Has a NY Yankee something handle on ebay and I will look him up.
- I asked a few folks selling if they were going to be selling at the National and most said attending but not selling. The prices to grab a table at this show was peanuts compared to the National.
- Prices were high but that's a show.
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