Chicago Sun-Times Show
 

I am heading to Chicago next weekend. Should I expect a decent amount of vintage dealers? It has been a few years since I have attended, and when I did I spent most of time getting autographs, which I won't be doing this time. Thank you for any info you may share! :)

Best,

Andy

There are always a ton of vintage dealers at the Sun-Times Show. The last show in November had more vintage dealers than I have seen in several years.

I agree
 

The Nov. show had a great selection of vintage although prices seemed a bit high and the spring show always seems a bit weaker than the fall one.
Good luck!

Andy,any good stores???
 

Dont mean to hijack the thread but I'm also attending the show this weekend and have a question---

I live in KY and am planning the 6 hr drive up and was wondering if there were any good card stores on the way or even in or around rosemont or chicago that are worth hitting while there???

Thanks guys!
Travis

Hey Travis!
 

Hey, Travis, I am near Detroit and will be making a 4+ hour drive in. I wish I could help you on the card stores in the Chi-Town area. I will be staying all day Saturday and can't wait for the weekend! Best of luck at the show!

Best,

Andy

Andy,
 

Thanks so much!!!! Have you heard anything about this show???

Travis

Card Shops
 

Guys, I live just outside Chicago and will tell you from my experience it is a card shop wasteland out here. I haven't been in a decent shop in years. Unless you want new cards (mid '90's and up) forget it. I will stand corrected if anyone can come up with a shop with a decent selection of vintage cards. You can barely find a show with more than 30 tables besides the 2 Sun Times shows and the Fans Edge show in the summer (lame!) Sorry 'bout that, pretty pathetic for the 3rd largest city in the US. About the show itself, pretty good size and pretty good selection but as I stated earlier, I was VERY surprised at the high prices at the fall show despite the economy. I personally did not see alot of purchases being made, just alot of looking.

shops
 

Agreed, no shops around anymore. I stopped in to one called AU Sportscards in Niles, IL off of Touhy Ave. a few weeks ago, and all they had was modern stuff and a few really overpriced beater Playball cards.

Unfortunately, card stores & card shows have been replaced by eBay & the auction houses. See you at the National in Baltimore !!! :)

While there aren't any decent shops for vintage near Chicago, I do like living close to it for the Sun Times shows and a short drive to the National every few years. Going to only a few shows a year makes them that much more exciting for me.

I live in the northern suburbs of Chicago. I stopped looking for anything at card shops other than supplies years ago. My regular card shops have all shut down. Though I attend the Chicago-area small shows every weekend and enjoy them. The Orland Park shows are the largest at twice a month and 60 tables. There is always a smattering of pre-war and a nice selection of post-war at Orland. Also Pat and Roger, who owned the very first card shop in Chicago during the 1970s, set up occasionally at the show. Pat was set up last weekend with quite a few pre-war autographs. Also, many other card shop owners regularly set up at this show. Here are a couple of card shops that people talk about at these shows that may have some vintage. I haven't been to any of them, but if you want to explore there is Bergie's in Highland Park; Record Dugout Records & Comics, 6055 W. 63rd St., Chicago; Jim & Steve's in Waukegan; Matt's Sports Cards, 98 Barney Dr., Joliet, IL 60435; and Big John and Little Debbie's, 6043 North Cicero Avenue, Chicago. Also, about an hour and a half north of Rosemont is a terrific little show this Sunday (60 tables plus a live auction) at the Gonzaga Hall in Milwaukee.