2024 Strongsville Sports Collectors Convention
 

Friday April 19th through Sunday April 21st

Excited to see many of you there.

The show has moved next door to the Brunswick arena

If you are setting up, drop your booth below!

SGC will be onsite accepting drop off submissions.

Do not forget to show off some great cards!

Website: https://strongsvillesports.com/

Tickets: https://strongsvillesports.com/tickets

Appearances: https://strongsvillesports.com/appearances

Dealers: https://strongsvillesports.com/dealers

Floor Map: https://strongsvillesports.com/images/dealermap.pdf

Address: 15381 Royalton Rd, Strongsville, OH 44136

Tables 55 and 56

William Chappell table #'s 41-43

Looks bigger and better than ever. Can't wait!

Where’s the good bars and restaurants around there?

New this year - the card show is next door to the BW hotel (former Holiday Inn) in the local hockey arena. Two rinks - show will use one side (hopefully no ice :eek:). They do have a small elevated bar in between the rinks - unsure if it'll be open. Next door is the BW hotel and the mall/restaurant area is a mile west on the main road.
Highly recommend The Brew Garden. Next to the mall. 1 mile from the card show.

Looking for a local watering hole? Check out the winking lizard tavern, there is one in Brunswick, possibly strongsville as well.Great food and affordable drinks

Thx josh

Re: 2024 Strongsville Sports Collectors Convention
 

Ed Hans and Gary Nuchereno-booths 95-98. Stop by and say hello.

I will be setting up for the first time this year, they told me my booth number is 133 “tentatively”.

NET54 MEMBERS GET 10% OFF EVERYTHING AT MY BOOTH!!!

Great to hear you found a ride to Cleveland from Florida, Phil.

Hoeard Chasser's - A Few of My Favorite Things
 

Will be at tables 28 & 29. Buying, selling and trading quality vintage (1900-1980) from all 4 sports and non sports, magazines and comic books. Also accepting select higher end items ($1k+) for private sale consignment (you can contact me in advance to discuss).

Just a few weeks away. I’m excited to see everyone.

Tony Gordon and Tony Schaefer will be in booths 82 & 83.

Thanks, Bill.

NET54 MEMBERS GET 10% OFF EVERYTHING AT MY BOOTH!!!

Not setting up, but flying in from Oregon to go to the show on Friday. I went with my dad last year and we had a blast (though didn't want to stay the night again, the elevators with the mind of their own scared us off, paired with the doors being chained closed to the cafe last year). I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone is bringing. We are finishing up our research on all things Leaf, so looking for anything juicy to put in the book!

If anyone is interested, there's the cool, printable version of the "Net54 Spoken Here!" booth sign I created at this link (Post #2):

https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=337468

If time is available, I can happily put together personalized versions...if you're polite. :D

Strongsville
 

Memory Lane will be set up at tables 147 & 148

I will be attending with other fellow YouTube content creators. I will be looking for some unique Seaver, Mays, Ryan and Mathewson collectibles! First time going to Strongsville!

I’ll be there looking for T3’s of Wilson and Lord (among other things). Excited to see some friends and make some new ones!

I am reading a ton of chatter about this show on other message boards. I think the attendance will be out of sight.

Strongsville
 

It's always tightly packed, it's a phenomenal show. Trent King

I have tried on all 3 days and it's been very busy everytime.

Looking forward to the new venue.

Purchased my ticket for all 3 days.

Looking forward to it. Hoping to find some cool prewar Non sports

I've got five binders of it.

I’m thrilled that Love of the Game was able to squeak in under the wire and get a last-minute table at this show. It’s the first time we’ve been there in ten years. We’ll be at Table 13 (if I recall), accepting consignments.

I’m less thrilled that we found out we got the table after I already planned a long consignment-gathering trip (which I am currently on), so it won’t be me at the Strongsville show. LOTG will be in the capable hands of Andrew Aronstein and Dan Wallach. But I’ll be there in spirit!

-Al

Any Superman cards in those pre-war binders?

I will be setup right next to you guys at 15!

4 days away!

How much larger is this show than the old Strongsville show in the late 1990's ?

Sorry, no Superman.

First Phil Garry and now Love of the Game? Strongsville has become the hobby's Mount Olympus!

On the plane!

Saw this on instagram https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...1be77a023c.jpg

Strongsville show
 

Save some cards for me! I'll be in attendance Sunday:)

Trent King

I've got quite a bit at booth 28 and 29. I have a display case of non sport, but must of my prewar is behind the v table - just ask.

Ow, my feet.

Oof, my back.

Why did I bring antacid, but no ibuprofen?

Great show. Hope everyone had as much fun as I did.

Strongsville
 

Theshowandme- Couldn't agree more, Don! Did business with net54's own
Howard Chasser. A class act, as always...

Trent King

Show was OK.
People were the best part.

Great show
 

Spot on!

I really enjoyed meeting and hanging out with many members from net54 and the YouTube vintage sector. The venue was better laid out and more spacious than previous, the show was solid but I felt a little underwhelmed this year. I always enjoy my time catching up with Joe T from Memory Lane and fellow collectors the most.

Why was the show just OK and/or underwhelmed ? Not enough vintage ? Too much of the shiny stuff ?

It wasn’t bad by any means. It’s a vintage only show so I didn’t have to see the shiny stuff thankfully. Some of the personal collections I saw there were museumesque and hard to top by the dealers inventory.

I came home with several goodies, but I agree the material was, as a whole, slightly underwhelming. It felt very 50’s/60’s heavy to me. I’d say maybe only a dozen or so tables focused on prewar, and prices were robust for the most part. There are several things I’ll be pulling the trigger on on ebay this week because even with tax and shipping it’s still significantly cheaper. There were also many tables that were Cleveland-focused which didn’t appeal to me at all.

As mentioned, the conversations and hang-outs were the best part. I saw some old friends and made a couple more, so in that regard it was great. I just wish I hadn’t come home with all this money.

Hopefully you visited our tables and know where to spend some of that next month!

This is pretty much how I feel as well. If you were a post war raw set collector, you were in heaven. I do pre war non sports as well as pre war baseball. I didn’t see a single n76 card in the room. That’s an extremely popular and hot set so seeing none was disappointing. I also was trying to track down another t205 Cobb. I saw 3 (besides the 3-4 that Ash had and I saw at Chantilly two weeks ago.) Maybe my expectations were higher but I figured I’d see more t205 cobbs at the “premier vintage show”

I’m ready for pre war and non sports!

N76s are hot. You might have better luck at the Philly Non Sports show in May.

Raw cards were definitely in demand at the show. Graded cards, well, not so much. Are raws coming back in favor now?

Buying raw to grade and flip is where the $ is at

90%+ of those folks will not be happy with the grades they get. Yesterdays 5 is now a 3. Or maybe a 2.5 with some graders.

True, but I doubt you are getting high grades from dealers at Strongsville. The cards have been cherry picked to hell.

I think guys see the graded prices, don't like them, then gamble with raw. Its all fine and good, just don't expect many 8s or so coming back.

Understandable but that was just an example. Majority of people I was with felt the same way. Show was underwhelming but the social aspect made up for it.

They had more dealers right? Did you think the dealer quality wasn't good? or just the pricing of the cards?

Phil, how did you do at the show?

I got that feeling as well. Lots of stuff there I recognized from Chicago last summer, which will also presumably make it's way back to the Natty this year as well. It's getting harder to justify traveling for shows when I see the same inventory at all of them. Something will have to give at some point, as the sunk-cost fallacy is alive and well in the hobby.

That said, kudos to the organizers. The show seemed to run smooth, entry was a breeze, and the rink was a great venue with space to move. I'd probably go back, but maybe not for a few years to try and let some inventory turn over.

People are finding their margins in the 5-7 range on middle tier HOFers from the 1960s and 1970s

I saw plenty of pickups and drop offs to SGC onsite

There is $ there

Lots of great content coming out on YouTube regarding Strongsville

I am debating putting out my own video. I did not buy anything significant and my observations are already being stated by many fellow collectors with channels.

Some of the pickups being shown off are awesome.

To name a few:

1. 1949 Leaf and Bowman Jackie Robinson
2. T206 Red Ty Cobb's with a Polar Bear back
3. 1953 Topps Jackie
4. Harrington's Ice Cream Babe Ruth
5. 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth

It was a blast. A big part of it was meeting up with some of the other Vintage YouTube community! I did make a card show vlog video in case anyone is interested. I made two personal collection pickups.

1. 1959 Bazooka Willie Mays
2. 1958 SF Call Bulletin Orlando Cepeda

Sales were excellent on Friday at my booth but slowed up Saturday and Sunday. Walk ups were not as good as in years past. I liked the larger space and the additional dealers. I saw some amazing stuff throughout the room. A ton of pre-War. More than I see at any other show outside of the National. I picked up autographed postcards of Burleigh Grimes and Al Lopez for my collection. I enjoy seeing all the old Cleveland Indians memorabilia that I don't normally see at my local shows in Chicago and Milwaukee. New this year was all the Youtubers. We don't normally get many at the Strongsville show. I'm seeing the back of my fat head on a lot of videos. Great time as always!

My thoughts about this show:

I have always heard about how great of a vintage show this has been. Being from NYC it is not the easiest show to get to - but my expectations were really high for this one. Many of the larger dealers are the same that I see in White Plains or Philly, and I generally know what kind of cards they have and how they'll be priced.

I was really looking forward to seeing some of the local dealers that I wouldn't otherwise see at either of those larger regional shows. Unfortunately at most of those tables prices were absolutely asinine.

A prime example:

Dealer had a 1971 Topps baseball complete set in G-VG shape. They wanted $2,800 for it. That's probably double retail. Later that day I saw on Facebook an EX-EX+ complete set being asked for.... $2,800.

All said, I did pick up some great cards and had an awesome time with friends. Next time my expectations will be tempered. Had wonderful interactions with JD Heckathorn, Stan Loch, Howard Chasser, Steve Wilk and Ashish Jain among others.

I attended Friday entering at Noon on the early bird ticket. I had only one day so the extra cost was worthwhile for me.

Entry with my pre-bought ticket was pretty easy - the line moved quickly. I loved all the extra space. It was really good to move around without having to constantly say "excuse me". Maybe the lack of strollers and card bros with their rolling suitcases was part of it too.

I'm sitting here starting to put away my purchases and I think I can definitely say Cleveland memorabilia > cards for me.

I picked up several Kahn's cards. Dealers said there were many requests for Kahn's and I saw more than I recall seeing at the Chicago Nationals. Prices and conditions were all over the board. Food issues and non-sports now interest me more than mainstream cards.

I picked up a handful of pre-war, all Indians players from the wide pen and fine pen Goudey, R316, R312 and R303A sets. I'm looking to complete team sets there.

Made a purchase of non-sports cards (Topps Scoops and Look N See), some 1960 and 1961 NuCard Baseball Hi-Lites and Scoops, some 1952 Wheaties and some 1930's Wheaties Boxes of cut Cleveland players.

Living in Indianapolis, the amount of Cleveland memorabilia at the show was great for me. I brought home 5 1930's and 1940's Indians programs, a Browns AAFC program and 1953, 1954 and 1955 programs and a Cleveland Barons program. Picked up some 1940's Indians ticket stubs and a 1958 pocket schedule.

There were several new to me dealers at the show and I spent the most money with them, though JD Heckathorn had enough to force me to Pay Pal cash to him as I was burning through my money.

Enjoyed talking to JD and Stacy, Pat Blandford from Kevin Savage Cards (poor Pat - Kevin abandoned him for the weekend), Scott Russell, Andrew Jenkins (first time I've dealt with Andrew), Dave Schroeder, Dennis Vanke, Craig and Holly Halbig and others I'm sure I've forgotten.

For the most part I just scrolled past the table with showcases full of graded cards. I'm still a collector - my card wants are getting specialized and I'm closing in on complete the post war Topps and Bowman runs. I'm not really chasing 1952 Topps high numbers and I didn't find many of my 1949 Bowman or 1964 stand-up wants that didn't cost an arm and a leg. I am not anti-slab and there are some cards I need that I will eventually buy graded - but I'm not looking for the high grade cards and not looking to pay those prices.

The concrete floor was hard - I don't know how the dealers made it through 3 days. I should have worn my new shoes. By the end of five hours my back hurt a lot. I went back to my hotel and hit it with the Theragun and I was fine on Saturday. But other than that no complaints about the venue.

I'm heading to Moeller on Sunday - that's a day trip for me. Interested to see what I find - I know I will see several dealers again and others (like Mark Smith) who didn't make it to Strongsville.

Then its the local shows in Indy until I'm back in Cleveland for the National.

Anyone got any pics to show of this vintage-fest??
(I mean, other than that chilly cold, stark, empty venue picture from earlier in the thread?? Brrr...)

I only went on Sunday, and for the most part I thought it was a great show.
The New venue allowed for much more space to maneuver as well as more dealers and collections to see. There did seem to be more of an energy than in years past, and I had some great conversations, saw some really beautiful collections and unique high-end stuff out of my price range.
I do somewhat agree with what has been said, though. Many of the sticker prices were significantly over comp, and in my experience the dealers didn't seem as willing to negotiate as much as the last couple years.
I did end up swinging a deal for a nice 1949 Bowman Paige, and while I'm happy with it I admittedly overpaid to get it done.
I kept asking around at different tables for 1917 Collins McCarthy or any T206 HOFers with EPDG, Cycle or American Beauty backs, but unfortunately had very little success.
All in all, it was great show with fun items you don't see at other shows, and some good people to talk to. I will go next year again.

Most likely because the dealers have too much into the cards.

I truly believe one of the better place to sell cards now is cards shows. Dealers want material and will pay up more now than in years past. If you have a collection, take it to show and shop it around. You will be surprised at the offers you get (in a good way).

YouTube is loaded with videos from the show where people scan dealer cases

I think "show was ok but everything was crazy overpriced" might become the most evergreen post of all time going forward.

Bottom line is dealers are hoping someone comes in uninformed and pay a crazy high price for something. Sure it happens all the time. Not the worst business model. List the $3,000 card for $9,000 and be a great guy and sell it to some giddy buyer for $7,500. And that fellow will be boasting to his friends that he chiseled the dealer down and brought him to his knees.

Some of it is that, for sure, but it implies dealers are willing to negotiate which for the most part, I am noticing they aren’t. Applying your scenario above to the Strongsville show, you would have been hard-pressed to find a dealer with that card willing to let it go for less than $8700. They just aren’t budging. if I had guess I think that dealer competition is fierce right now and most are being forced to overpay just to secure new inventory.

Bingo.

I also believe that many of these dealers aren't pressed to sell as they are set financially. Easy to keep high prices when you are in the catbird seat.

True. Plenty of dealers there with the glitz and glamour of high end cards. Some collectors get enamored and will overpay to get the cards.

One of the great errors of this hobby is looking at what something is LISTED for on eBay as a comp. No, listed price don’t mean squat. Look at the three most recent completed sales. Anyone can ask for an idiotic price.

Thanks for that!

Immediately in the first (random) video I played, the guy said it was 99% vintage...and I started crying like a baby. Why aren't there shows like that out here (says every collector, no matter where they live)???

If you haven’t found A Collectors Dream channel yet, I highly recommend that.

You can branch out from there

Orlando is a Collectors Collector if that makes sense

He was filming a bunch and always provides insightful narration

His collection is top notch too

He took a nice video of a YouTube creator meetup that many of us attended. It was a great time

https://youtube.com/@ACollectorsDrea..._s93OpZQ-gxgjc

Exactly you nailed it… I see a lot of these dealers selling graded cards, a card they just purchased from say a major auction house REA, Heritage, Memory Lane etc. If they were the high bidder, what makes them think they're gonna be able to sell it 25 to 30% higher at their show table if they were the high bidder in a major auction like that? it makes no sense They have the money I guess who knows?

That sounds like my video. There was 1% of modern there. At least, that's how I saw it.

It was this one, a little over a minute in when my tears began to fall...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIFy1C5skes&t=275s

Ah Yes! Dan! We both shared the same opinion then lol

Really need to offer the dealer great trade bait and at a discount so they can move it quickly, plus add most cash possible.