What was your earliest National Convention?
 

Reading all these great posts from those of you at the National has made me decide that I’m going to try to get to next year‘s show. That caused me to think about the two Nationals that I had been to previously and boy were they a long time ago!

Growing up in New Jersey, I was very involved in sports memorabilia early on. I was actually a dealer with my own table at shows at age 14. Having attended many shows in the area, I got to know a gentleman named Ron Durham very well. Ron was a dealer and ran a card store in Dumont, New Jersey called The Dugout where he used to get players to come and sign autographs. If I remember correctly, he would actually have them sign the wall of the store. I ended up starting to work for Ron at his shows in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey at the Sheraton and have many great memories of the athletes who came to those shows.

So what was my first National Convention? 1984. I attended the 1984 convention in Parsippany, New Jersey, and since every thread needs a card, here are some examples of the cards they provided, and the autographs that I obtained from athletes appearing at the show. They were all local New Jersey guys, but it was a thrill to meet them and get their autographs, and autographs were free!

Later, Ron made a push for the National in Atlantic City and he got that. I worked for him at the 1988 National as a runner, so I have been to two Nationals that seemed like a lifetime ago.

What was your earliest National Convention?

I remember the earliest National I attended was the first one in Chicago in 1983 and have been to most of the Chicago Nationals ever since. I did make it to the St. Louis show in 1995 and made the 6 hour drive down with my 8 year old son, walked the show floor and drove the 6 hour ride back home in the same day. That was one of those "I will never doo that again" days. LOL

My first National was Baltimore in 2010, having never attended it during my childhood collecting days.

Seeing the historical venues list may be helpful to some:

Early Nationals Were A Blast!
 

I set up at 7 of the first 14 Nationals and even hosted a seminar at one of the Chicago Nationals. It was always a great time talking to many hobby friends.

1993 Chicago, I have been to 8 total and in the next few years should be able to make it to each and everyone, hopefully.
Great experience each and everyone, but will always remember that first one, 17 and would be going off to college come August and a week in Chicago was just a great experience. In addition to the national, new white sox stadium against the Blue Jays, Lou Malnati’s deep dish pizza, the chop house, and Buddy Guy’s Legends Blues Bar. One of my Dads favorite experiences and he doesn’t collect cards.

2010 in Baltimore for me. The family went down to Inner Harbor where my wife and daughter went to the Aquarium and walked around while my son, 8 at the time went to the show.
Bob

1999
 

For me it was 1999 in Atlanta. Many people say that was one of the worst Nationals ever, but for me as a grad student taking a day trip from Knoxville to Atlanta, and the first (and only) one I have ever been to, it was great! I remember picking up some T205s, T207s, T206s, and some golden age vintage. Maybe I will get to another one next year or the year after...

1983
 

My first one was in 1983. I remember hoarding the Ryno RCs and taking them to the show. I traded my whole lot of Rynos for a stack of T205s. The only HOFer was the Frank Chance, with a hole in the middle of it. It was the trigger that sent me on my T205 quest, though, and I eventually completed the set, and then completed it again, with Sovereign only backs. Somewhere along the way, I traded that Chance with the hole punch, but I remember it. If I ever see it again, I'm going all in. I was in high school back then, using my paper route money to buy T205s. Hard to imagine today...paper routes, and T205s at $5/hr wages. As a kid who just went to the local Stop-N-Go to buy packs, it was amazing to see the old cards. The oldest I had ever seen in person, was a 1973 Topps, before I went to that show. I remember my dad bought me the 1981 Beckett Price Guide, and it opened my eyes to what was out there, then I went to that show and saw those cards. I was overwhelmed by it, but like I said, fell in love with the T205s. They're still my favs...love the T202, T206, and T207s...but the 205s are like your first love for me. And that 1983 show is probably why I'm posting here today.

Cheers,
Geno

I've only been to two, both on the East Coast.

1988 in Atlantic City with my dad - remember seeing Ernie Banks walking around the show floor. I never knew there were that many baseball cards.

2010 in Baltimore with my son. The highlight was seeing Earl Weaver, Carmelo Anthony and Mankind in the hotel lobby and then wiggling our way into a Panini VIP event and meeting John Riggins and Pudge Rodriguez.

I went to the first one in 1980
 

I went to the first one in Los Angeles in 1980. I was 20 years old. I have been to all but five of them. I look forward to them no matter where they are located. It is great to see everyone, there, and catch up!

I almost went to the very first National in Los Angeles in 1980. I was only 15 at the time and still a year a way from driving. So I had to rely on my brother (who also collected) for a ride. Unfortunately, he got sick and our plans were cancelled. So I had to wait until 1985 when the National came to Anaheim.

Ha, nice! That was me too. Using my paper route money to buy nothing but baseball cards all thru junior high and high school. :)

1982 in St. Louis. Picked up a great looking 1948 Leaf J. DiMaggio for $20.

1984 in Parsippany, NJ

I've been to two Nationals.....2013 and 2015.

Steve

I've only been to three Nationals.

2002 in Chicago.
2004 in Cleveland.
2023 in Chicago.

In my younger days (prior to 2002) I really didn't have the money to hit these big shows and would stick to the regional St. Louis shows because i could make a day trip out of it and not have to spend money on flights or hotels. Now that money isn't an issue it seems work or family obligations typically get in the way as it did again this year. Hopefully next year I'll make it back to Chicago.:)

Same here, that was my 1st

1993 in Chicago, on the drive we spent the night in Toledo and caught a Mud Hens game, I got a autograph from the opposing team's 3rd Baseman after the game, Chipper Jones. Year later my son would play catch with that ball and it was subsequently left outside and hit by a lawnmower. As a Yankee fan, I was OK with the story being worth more than the auto.

1991 Anaheim

Likewise. That was a doozy!

1983 Chicago

1991 Anaheim
 

I went to have Don Larsen sign my 1956 Perfect Game Ticket stub and he did. The sig set me back $12. I got Yogi's sig later.

https://www.collectorfocus.com/image...5/larsen-berra

I went two more times in 2013 and 2015.

Ah, the annual Beckett Price Guide. That book opened my eyes to what was out there as well.

My fist National was the 25th National in Cleveland in 2005. I always dreamed of attending a National and since I had relatives who lived in Lorain, OH, it was an easy choice. My second and third National was the 31st and 33rd Nationals in Baltimore, Maryland in 2010 and 2012. Good times.

My first National was 1982 in St. Louis. Unfortunately I was in college at the time and had almost no disposable income. I think all I bought were commons to fill in my set needs.

I set up at the first one in LA and sold off my collection. T206's to '75 mini's and Hostess, every last card. I"d been attending the annual Anaheim show from '74 to '77, lost interest in high school and sold it all to fund college and beyond.
Got back in the hobby in late '99 and first National after that was '00, then every other one or so to date.

First National Attended
 

1981 Plymouth Michigan. Lloyd and Carol Thoerpe (SP) were the hosts.

My one and only national was the 2012 national when I was a teenager. Family made a whole trip out of it and everything. Was such a fun time, I imagine it's a much different experience now.

1995 St. Louis for me
 

My first, and only so far.

2010 Baltimore with my son. What a trip to think about!

Great replies, everyone. Thanks for sharing.

1991 Anaheim. My dad took me. I used my birthday money to buy a Bird/Erving/Magic RC. I was a little short on funds and good ol’ dad pitched in what I needed to get it. We had a good time. Thanks dad!

Parsippany, NJ 1984
 

I had been to many good shows like the Shriner's Show in Wilmington, Mass, the Willow Grove Show and the old Gallagher shows at the Union Hall in NYC, but the National always (or used to be) an eye opener.

Never kept an accurate account of how many I set up at. It was about 20, starting around 1998. I remember the last one, 2021 the year after the show was cancelled in 2020. That was a madhouse, shows all over got better for a couple years, unlike anything I ever experienced.

I retired in November, 2023, just could not keep up any longer and needed to stay closer to home to take better care of myself on a daily basis.

I was able to set up in Chicago, Cleveland, Baltimore, and Atlantic City. My favorite venue was Cleveland for a number of reasons. All of them were good shows, but Cleveland had an advantage in cheaper lodging, more space, and ease of finding places to eat.

The shows are always better with a buddy or two, mine were Ron Estes of Coach Estes Cards and Ray Isham, a pennant guy. Great travel companions!

For any attendees who drive to the shows, Cleveland is the easiest with parking right in front of the venue.

1989 at Downtown Chicago

Same as the OP: 1984

1988 Atlantic City. Wasn't as good as I had hoped.

1980 LA. My dad took me. I was 9 years old. I bought a 1953 Topps Jackie Robinson for a few bucks. It had a curved crease across his face so I upgraded it several years ago. Regret getting rid of that one just because it held memories.

My first National was in 2010 in Baltimore. It was a great venue, but Chicago is the best.

My first National was 1993 in Chicago. I'd stopped collecting for more than a decade, then I got pulled back in!

Would love them to go back to Baltimore, but doubtful that will happen.

1983 just outside Chicago at the Holiday Inn. Still my favorite National. Three full days of buying and filled a few suitcases. I stopped by that location about 15 years ago and couldn't believe how small the ballroom was, at least by today's standards. I bypassed the first National in 1980. I went to the predecessor on Memorial Day in Anaheim, 1980. Mike Berkus told me that it was going to be better than a regular show and to come back down (The Anaheim shows were great in the day). A few friends of mine that attended rubbed it in.

Baltimore 2010 or 2012. Can't remember which. Been to Cleveland and Chicago also. Thought Baltimore was the best location, being near the inner harbor and Camden.

Hope to go next year!

Plymouth Michigan 1981.

I attended in 81, 82 and 83. Then only a few since.

The first one in Anaheim. All Chicago ones until last year.

Houston 1994

Plymouth Michigan in 1981. My brother was the sports card collector back then. My collecting interest (at the time) was coins but I was a historical baseball nerd. Absolutely fascinated and blown away with the quantity and quality memorabilia and vintage cards at that show. That started my passion in this wonderful hobby.

Like many of you, I composed teams of dead-ball era teams, versus golden year major leaguers, versus modern player teams and played on behalf of all teams. Wood bat, sock ball, unlimited ceiling for pitches. Afew lifetimes ago …

I went my first "West Coast National" in Anaheim, CA in 1974. The highlight was picking up a handful of mint T206s at $1 each. A couple years later, I attended what was billed as the "National" in Plymouth, MI. Man, those were the days. If only I had time machine. I recall walking up to my first table in Plymouth, and spending all my money on 1953 Bowman stars. There must have been 20 Mantles available, all with razor sharp corners at $11 each. There must be a few other board members who went shows in the 1970s.

I miss those seminars, auctions and general all around BS sessions. They really should bring these things back.

I remember being 15 years old and begging my dad to take me on a 2 hour car ride to the Hillside, Illinois Holiday Inn where Bruce and Bonita (i think that was her name) Paynter but on the monthly Chicago area card show on Saturdays. I believe this would have been about 1976 or so and those were still the days of no price guides, condition was of relative importance and the pricing was usually whatever someone wanted to charge versus whatever someone would pay. I remember turning down a BEAUTIFUL '53 Mantle for 20 bucks as I thought the seller was nuts for asking that much.

IIRC (and I often don't), it was the 1992 National at Atlanta.

My first National was 1982 in St. Louis. I have been to the vast majority since then.

1984 in Parsippany, NJ. I was a “dealer” at 15 years old as my dad who knew nothing about sports cards had to contract for the table as I was still a minor.

I think 2002 in Chicago. I had dinner with Marshall Fogel, Doug Allen and Scott Brockelman, as I recall.....
.

My first show was Thanksgiving 1976 in NYC:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...20Show%201.jpg

Finished my run of Topps Willie Mays cards at the show (boy do I wish I still had that 1952...).

My first National was 1991 Anaheim. Stood in line for four hours the first day in the broiling sun. Totally worth it but I wasn't keen to repeat it the next day. I ended up making a tentative trade with a dealer there and conditioned my coming back to close the deal on him getting me into the show. He walked me in on his dealer pass (yeah, this was pre-lanyard days) and I had a hell of a buying day at the discounters tables.

My next one was 1996 Anaheim. Then 2000 Anaheim. By that point I was on eBay and active on nascent chat boards, so in 2004 I decided to travel to a show for the first time and meet the N54 crew. Cleveland. I made it to every National after that through 2019. In '21 I chickened out because of COVID. In '23 I had a trial that conflicted with the date (we settled it on the courthouse steps but by then it was too late). I hated AC with a passion the first time I went there and was not going to go back so I skipped ‘22. This year, I had to choose between visiting my daughter in NYC or going to the show...it was close :) but the dealer pass crackdown and lack of a central hotel complex and amenities clinched it for me. At least I am getting the East Coast National and Fanaticsfest as a consolation prize. Then I have the 800-table Anaheim show the week I get back and Front Row's Pasadena show the first weekend in September, so lots of card shows for me in a four-week span.

Definitely plan on Chicago next year; I miss you guys (well, most of you anyway).

Chicago
 

Chicago, 1983

Wow, when you list all the shows and I realize how many I attended it's like a walk down memory lane. Attended the 1980 L.A. show, set up at the
'85, '87 and '91 shows (I still have nightmares about the crowd in '91), then '96, 2000 and 2006. I did venture out of state one time to attend the '86 show in Texas. I had business in the area and coordinated my travel with the convention dates. I know, but it really was "business."

Afraid that at my age and the problems with the airlines and travel in general, I won't be attending any more shows outside of Southern California. So pretty much guessing my National days are over.

That is a cool show card.
See ya next year, Adam! I already booked my hotel from Thurs through Sunday in Chitown...

I've been to the three Nationals held in Texas, Arlington in '86 and '90, Houston in '94(?). I am in Chicago to visit family each summer but I don't ever seem to be there when the show is going on. Maybe next year.

1991 - If I remember correctly, a dealer (I think from Baltimore area) got heisted, real bad. In today's value, the theft (of baseball cards) probably would have been the largest I'd be able to recall.

Only 5 Nationals on the west coast and none since 2006. I get it, it's a long haul for the dealers that probably have the best material, but it's almost been 20 years. Most of the Nationals I've been to have been middle America.

I've been fortunate enough to make a few east coast shows (not nationals) that could rival a national.

One of my collecting buddies that I used to hang with at a few nationals passed away a while ago so it's not been as much fun. I keep telling myself to get to another one, maybe next year (as Lucy pulls the football away, again).

The Baltimore Dealer who got heisted was our own Dan McKee's father. And IIRC it was done overnight so even the best efforts of Dan and Dad could not really help them.

Tbe Burbank Card Show under the aegis of Rob Veres and his team has a shot of becoming a West Coast Natoinal if it is not one already.

My first national was 1988. 2nd was 2024.

First national
 

I guess I’m one of very few who attended the first in 1980

First national.
 

Forgot to identify myself. ..the old geezer..better known as Kit young

Hey Kit,

I remember buying from you out of your place around the Crown Point area in San Diego (long time ago). If memory serves me correctly, there was also a place up in Washington (I think it was the Tacoma area) that I bought a few cards from your inventory. Hope your doing well and wondering if Nacho's still working with you. Nice to see Kit Young making a post!

You are only as old as you feel Kit! You and your guys bought a lot of cards from me at Chicago show. Glad you are still in the hobby.

I have never attended the National.

I believe 1995 was my first. I roadtripped from MD to St Louis...checked out the ozarks on the way. I'm sure I still have the pass in my ticket stub collection.

You and me, still on the outside looking in.

Maybe we'll get there some day!

And when we do, we can sit in the VIP lounge like ballers and trade 33 Goudeys all day long...

2010 Baltimore was my 1st national and had a blast! Stayed at the Hilton walked out of the hotel in the am with a few Chi Sox who were playing the O’s that day. After the National my wife & I went to the game. Camden Yards was great place to watch a game!! Had few drinks with Joe Montana at the Hilton bar that evening, then caught the fireworks from my window after the game.

Here’s a Net54 pin from 2014, wish I hung onto the Net54 d304 Cobb shirt

Fred. Great memory. All true

1980-1984 & 1991
 

My first National I believe was in Cleveland although I can't recall the date. I do recall attending a Net 54 function at a former train station that, if memory serves, had been converted into a restaurant/bar.

My first National was 1997 in Cleveland.
I went to sell some vintage cards to fund my expenses for college tuition and funds for a low paying internship.

Attended my second National this past month in Cleveland again. I only went for one day, Thursday, but glad I did. A lot has changed in the 27 years especially with the increase in vintage prices. Just glad I took the advice from older collectors when I was 14 to buy and stick with vintage cards (pre-war, unique card sets, and rare Detroit Tigers items)

Wish I held onto my Cobb cards that I sold in 1997 - had the T202 Hassan Cobb/Jennings, E95 Cobb, 1914 Cracker Jack Cobb, and T206 Cobb with bat on shoulder still but as I drove back home after Thursday's show - I look at what those 4 cards provided for me to be where I am at today. One of my goals is to get a T202 Cobb/Jennings again within the next few years.

Planning on attending next year's National in Chicago and be selective on what I will purchase.

now if I could only find my wrestlemania stub!!!

A

i bet u still have it frank!

1992 in Atlanta. Drove up from Jacksonville.
While in Jacksonville, went to a small little strip mall around this time and Chipper Jones was the autograph guest just out of high school at Bolles School.

5th Annual Midwest Sports Collectors Convention, Troy, MI July 19-21 1974. Still have the program booklet.