Thanks for the National!

[Archive]

Posted By: Rich Klein

There is so much I'm greatful for at this year's National that if I miss someone, please forgive me as I did not write everything down.

1) Thanks to my friend Mel Solomon (who had to for real business reasons, bail out almost at the last minute) and left me his table. and thanks to John Broggi and Etta Hersh who made sure there were no problems in getting the switch for this year done. Thanks to Levi Bleam who got me showcases at literally the very last minute for the show. Thanks to my old Jersey friend George Tahinos who had some amazingly nice happy shiny modern cards.

2) Thanks to my former co-worker at Beckett; Grant Sandground; now doing yeoman work editing Graded Card Investor, who helped me with the tough part of lugging the material shipped to me at the Hotel to the show floor. We felt like 2 moving men, wheeling the suitcase and the big box from the Hyatt to the Convention Center in the overhead walk-way. In addition, he had some really cool player schedules on display such as the Dr. J one mentioned below and I'll put in a plug for him in that if there are any pocket-size old skeds (pre-1970) with baseball players, he is probably interested in collecting those at reasonable prices. For that purpose, contact him at gsandground@beckett.com.

3) Thanks to Net 54 people (especially Bill Cornell but also Adam the boxing guy; Matt Engle and the others who left items in showcase (S) which made the booth have some national worthy material. Thanks also to other of my friends who left such items as the only hobby known Dr. J college sked which drew a lot of oohs and ahhs to the table as well

4) Thanks to Leon for the wonderful Thursday Night Dinner and the fellowship involved. It's always a blast to see our friends each year. And remember, the Banner ads help to pay for that dinner so for anyone who attends or wishes to, those banner ads are used for OUR good, not just into Leon's pocket. And I'll put in another plug here -- Brockleman and Luckey are taking consignments for their next auction. And to show how they are as people, I have some items I want to consign, but they told me to give them only certain items now and save other (better) items for later for very well thought out reasons. How many auction houses would actully tell you to hold on for another year or two, then sell if you have to, rather than just taking items. For that honesty, I thank them. And yes, there will be items from me in the next auction, but they will be what we ALL agree upon

4) Thanks to Doug Allen and the Mastro team for a wonderful event Friday Night. If you ever get a chance to see a first class live auction; that was it. In addition, the excitement in the room was awesome when the Wagner came up.
BTW -- Doug, I truly believe you are underestimating the price of the PSA1; BVG1 or SGC 10 in your prediction. As a long-time price guide guy, I truly believe that in the time frame you mentioned; you were actually low by $100K and the selling price will be $500K not $400K.

5) Thanks to all the customers I had during the show. Some of them were friends of mine making courtesty purchases but most were dealers/collectors filling sets and adding inventory. I actually sold more than 1/2 the pre-1980 cards in ex or less I brought to the show with me. That percent is amazing since the average dealer sells about 10 percent of his/her merchandise. Now the 10 percent figure is accurate for my modern crap.

6) Thanks to the all the Net 54 people who came by. I can't tell how many times (but it was at least 5) that I heard from customers: I read the Net 54 board all the time; but never post but learn so much. We have a great impact on the collecting community.

7) I forgot my old hobby friend Bill Goodwin, who was able to hide my showcases in his body bags each evening. That made my life much easier in terms of being able to sleep better that nothing would disappear of ours that was valuable.

I'll try to add more later -- but that is all I remember from the top of my aging and tired head

Regards
Rich

[Archive]

Posted By: Ken McMillan

Hi Rich,

I also enjoyed the national. Don't think I personally met you, but I agree with all you said. I love Chicago but as to the national, It lacked what Cleveland offered. I did however get to see my beloved Cubbies. I picked up a couple of cards and had some good fellowship. Take care and hope to see all next year.

Kmac

[Archive]

Posted By: Tim Fritz

Hi Rich,

I'm one of the customers that stopped by on Thursday and thanked you for the all the great info you all provide. Thanks for the good deal on the hits I bought for my 1960s sets. This board has gotten me more interested in the pre-war stuff. I've started purchasing a number of pre-war cards with my favorite set being '38 Goudey.

This was my first National and I had a blast. Even managed to pick up 7 '33 Goudeys at a fair price.

Tim Fritz

[Archive]

Posted By: Alan

Rich,

It was great meeting you at the Net54 dinner.

Alan