Visiting NY

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Posted By: mark bowers

I hope this post is o.k here but I have a week to kill in New York city coming up while wife works (role reversal) and hoped the New Yorkers can tell me if there are shops within walking distance of the Waldorf Astoria that I might visit?

Any help would be appreciated and thanks a lot.

Mark
mkbow2@surewest.net

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Posted By: barrysloate

There are beautiful shops in every direction. Do you mean baseball card shops?

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Posted By: Jimmy Leiderman

Don't know about shops, but you should schedule a visit to the Spalding Collection at the NYPL.

The NYPL is about a mile away from The Waldorf.

Think the library is located on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street.

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Posted By: Jeff Lichtman

I think the Waldorf is just a couple blocks from the NYPL -- Waldorf is at 39 and Park Ave. As for baseball card shops, there isn't much in Manhattan. Somewhere in the 80s and 2nd Ave or so might be one -- perhaps someone with a better memory can help out.

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Posted By: Alan

Mark -

Visit "Gotta Have It" store, located at 153 East 57th Street in NYC. The owner purchased the contract selling Babe Ruth from the Red Sox to the Yankees for $996,000 from a Sotheby's & SportsCards Plus auction a few years ago.

http://www.gottahaveit.com/

http://www.psacard.com/articles/article_view.chtml?artid=4440&universeid=314

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Posted By: Bob Pomilla

I'm not sure if it's still there, so check first, but there was a place called "It's Another Hit", on west 33rd st., between 6 & 7 aves. Some vintage, but prices were ridiculous. Again, though, I think it may have closed.

I think the place Jeff (hi, Jeff) refers to, is likely Alex's, on east 89th st., just west of 2nd. ave. Though I live just across the ave., I haven't been there in a while, but they always had some vintage, at least enough to keep you browsing awhile.

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Posted By: Jeff Lichtman

Bob, that's right -- "It's Another Hit" -- I used to buy plastic sheets and albums 15 years ago from them. Comics, too, if I recall. No clue if it still exists. And you're right about Alex's as well. More importantly -- you live in Manhattan??????

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Posted By: Bob Pomilla

Same building since 1970, Jeff.

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Posted By: Jeff Lichtman

Unbelieveable. We live hundreds of feet away from each other.

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Posted By: Bruce dorskind

Dear Mark

Several of "the native New Yorkers" who responded to your request have
apparently not been to the Waldorf Astoria

For the past 77 years the hotel has been at 301 Park Avenue which is
48th Street and Park Avenue, not 39th Street

The Spalding collection at the Library can only be viewed by appointment

Brigandi Stamp and Coin on 44th Street between 5th and 6th has a number
of interesting baseball items in the store including some cool advertising signs.

You may also attempt to contact The Print Room at the Metropolitan Museum
of Art. The Burdick collection (which we have viewed on ten separate occasions)
can be reviewed if a special appointment is secured.


Bruce Dorskind
America's Toughest Want List

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Posted By: Jeff Lichtman

Woops, Bruce, I was there last week for lunch. Sorry I forgot to leave my trail of breadcrumbs when leaving.

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Posted By: Bob Pomilla

Actually, Bruce, it's officially, Waldorf=Astoria (note double hyphen). Just attempting to avoid any future faux pas.

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Posted By: mabjae

Alex's is worth a stop in. I was there about a year ago and he had a couple Trapper Keeper-type
folders with vintage cards. Mostly T206, T205 and Cracker Jacks, if memory serves.
Alex is a good guy, and he also tends bar some nights at Elaine's - which is just up the street from his shop.
It's expensive, but if you go early and sit at the bar you can eat there and watch everyone come in.
Supposedly one of the part owners of the Yankees was there the night I went.
Actually Peter Jennings was there - so it may have been more than a year ago.

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Posted By: MARK BOWERS

Thanks to all for the tips. How do I get an appointment for the NYPL? Can it be done online ? By phone? In person?

Thanks again.

Mark
mkbow2@surewest.net

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Posted By: barrysloate

Mark- it is actually difficult to get an appointment, and there is no guarantee you will get one. You must demonstrate that you are doing some serious research and need access to the material. They are hesitant to let anyone who wants to see some neat photos come in and take up their time. They used to be lax but they are now much stricter. I would call them and feel them out.

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Posted By: mark bowers

Thanks Barry. It doesn't sound too promising but I will give it a try - what's to lose ?

Mark

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Posted By: barrysloate

You might catch them in a good mood.