The National
 

So it's officially a go.

Are you going?

Nope

Hoping John Elway is an autograph guest so I can send something in.

National
 

Barring any life curveballs, I'm a yes- Trent King

Going
 

Will be a great time......

I’m going

Nope. Family and work stuff made it impossible notwithstanding COVID. Have a great time, everyone, and I will see you in Atlantic City (yuck, but...CARDS).

Yes For Sure going Have my plane--hotel and Booth ready to go--Should be alot of fun and busy buying and selling.

Im going to pass. Would like to wait a little longer before jumping in to any massive gathering of people under one roof, but also haven’t been much in a buying mode the past 6-8 months. Prices have just gotten so crazy nuts.

I keep telling myself I’ll go one of these years, but this year I’m going to travel back home and visit family I haven’t seen since before the pandemic instead.

Im going to wait for AC

Looks like we'll be there on Thursday.

I'll be setup at booth 919. Stop by and say hi

For the first time in 30 years
 

I am heading to the National. Last time I had just got my driver's permit and had a $200 budget. This time I have a driver's license and might spring for a $300 budget.... so I won't make it past the first table.

Still looking to share space
 

Anyone have some table space to rent me?

I'll be there on Saturday with my dad and my son. Don't know how many more there will be with the 3 of us at this point in life. Dad 80, me 55, son 21.

The last 4-5 Nationals I attended were nothing but a waste of time and money. Nothing to buy, and anything that was sold could have been done from the comfort of home. Barring any excited phone calls from people saying that I should get there ASAP, I'm done with this show.

I have the national here everyday thx leon

Will LE Be There This Year??

This just in, We will be there set up, will post booth number shortly! If you haven't caught me on the East Coast some time, please stop by and say "hi!" We'll have some of our fall Pre War there on preview.

I love the Natty! Great fun to browse the vast sea of tables and all the spectacular items for sale. And of course meet up with some buds to talk all things cards. This year I'll be set up at a table selling some of my collection. If you haven't been, I highly recommend.

I used to attend the National every year, but the novelty is over. The only reason to go nowadays to meetup with guys from these message boards and/or friends who are going. Leon's net54 dinner was the best experience of attending the National.

I'll be set up at booth 966 - my first National since 2015. I'm pulling my Cobb cards and Cobb autographs out of the safety deposit box, quadrupling the price and going fishing!

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...nza%20clap.gif

Tho' I suspect you won't be the only one...

I disagree. I don't find much to buy, but I still enjoy the hunt IN PERSON and I have always found quality pieces, cards and memorabilia, to add to my collection. There's something to be said about holding an item in hand before purchasing instead of looking at a screen. Just my opinion, but I bet there are many collectors that feel the same way.

Could someone kindly refresh my memory as to the dates of the "Gathering."

If there is a T206 in a urinal at the National are you pulling it out?

Oh wait a minute.....that can be taken 2 ways.

Its always fun to read the comments regarding the National.

If its rare, It will sell on Tuesday set up day, Weds or Thursday: if its rare and it lasts to Friday than its probably way overpriced.

While I know that there are those who will not be attending, guess what, there will be hundreds maybe thousands to take their place for each person who chooses not to attend. I suspect that the attendance will set records. Anyone really disagree?

I will be at Booth 1114 just 8 booths in the front door facing the food concessions. Stop by and chat if you can push through the crowds. Wishful thinking?

Steve

I think what may affect attendance is what someone alluded to above. . . . most people haven't gone anywhere in 16 months. . . . for those with families far away or small kids, there may be other trips more pressing and immediate that have to come first.

Balancing some people's concerns re: COVID and the tremendous pent up demand to get out and live our lives again, I could see the attendance being anywhere from disappointing to record breaking. I traveled cross country last weekend to see some ballgames and the airports and plane were real crowded.

I would not be surprised to see crowds like 1991 Anaheim. Surging modern market and crazy prices on vintage, plus 15 months of lockdown. I had a big case that was supposed to start trial on 7/19, so I had basically written off the show regardless. Of course, we just settled it but I gave in to the family pressure for a real family vacation instead of my trekking off to CHI for a week and them doing whatever while I did.

Of course the 1991 Anaheim was followed almost immediately by an industry crippling crash...

Not hardly. 1992 was a better year than 1991. 1993 & first half of 1994 were just as good if you were doing basketball. The baseball strike in 1994 was the crippling crash.

Tri-Star has a nice group of signers. Hoping I can afford a couple this time. Even these guys want huge prices. I remember the 90's when I could get Musial and Aaron for $40. Dawson was a show freebie. Pricing comes out tmmrw.

Game on!

As someone who hasn’t been to any show whatsoever since maybe about 1992 and just recently got back into collecting (mostly relatively affordable raw HOFers), I assume I would be in way over my head to jump back in at the National, and that there probably wouldn’t be much for me in terms of deals. Does that sound right?

Because I live in Chicago anyway, so there’s a part of me that says what the hell, it might be fun to check it out, see some ridiculously expensive cards and maybe meet some people.

You should go anyways. There are dealers who go to sell cards and price their stuff accordingly.

I usually feel regretful after a few hours of cruising the floor at the national from a standpoint that I could have bought this...or I could have bought that from the comfort of my home for what it cost to fly and lodge.

The allure of the national is seeing/hanging w/hobby friends...seeing great cards at the auction house displays/certain dealers that are way out of my league price wise...possibly getting cards/items graded on the premises...and looking for oddball items and raw cards in bargain bins.

If you want certain things...and don't mind overpaying for them...it's a must attend!!!

Well, if my flight and lodging costs are zero…

My son and I are planning on driving down to the show on Friday or Saturday. We had a great time at the last National we attended and we are planning on having a great time at this one.

then it's be easy...I'd attend!

Ill be there Wed-Sun. Helping out dealer at his booth Wed/Thurs and then shopping Friday/Sat for the first time in a few years.

That was my thinking. For those with a short drive, it is worth attending.

Can't wait to get there! Tickets purchase, hotel set, flights booked. Wouldn't miss it for the world.

My family if vaccinated, nobody has major health concerns, so no risk at all for me so why not?

jeff

I just booked hotel/air...see y'all at the natty!!!!

I'll be there all week!

Larry

The National
 

I'm all booked with Hotel, Plane and a VIP Ticket for Wed-Sat. I'm flying back to North Carolina Sunday. This is my first one, and I can't wait to hopefully meet some of you. My focus will be on getting some autographs(signed up for Johnny Bench) and talking T206 cards. At this point, I'm only a buyer and collector of them. I'm at 30/74 T206 HOF's.

I don't think I am going to go this year. I just don't feel like it.
And if next year is AC I won't be going to it either... Hope everyone has fun.

And a cool card...from the BST. I have done way, way more buying here, in the last year, than at the last 5 nationals I have gone to put together.

https://luckeycards.com/champshats.jpg

Leon,

I still contend that it is worthwhile to advanced collectors to show up early and spin the room looking at specific booths that relate to what they collect. Yes, there will be a higher percentage of modern cards this year, but you can bypass those displays as you choose.

During the recent past, I have focused heavily on non sports and unopened wax packs and boxes. But this year, I am cutting back on my non sports display, and focusing more on sports cards, which is where the money is right now.

Since just last October, I have added 33 vintage wax packs from 1948 to 1973 in all sports and non sports. So my wax display will be impressive. As I also collect and have only a handful of 5 cent packs that I personally need, a few of those new acquisitions will not make it to my display cases. Now I only need: 1955 Topps football; 1956 Topps baseball; and 1957 Topps basketball.
Other than those three 5 cent packs, I only need two Parkhurst hockey packs to complete all of 1948 to 1973 5 cent packs.

Leon, having been at every National since Parsippany, every one except for the first four, it can't hurt to come and enjoy a day or two catching up with dealers and friends. If you change your mind, stop by and say hello.

Regards,

Steve (Dynamictwo@aol.com)
914-522-3853

Steve

You're in Chicago, it's in Chicago, why wouldn't you go? I don't think they will ever have another National in California. :mad:

Really looking forward to meeting up with other collectors at the Natty! It's a must see event regardless of whether you buy anything.

For anyone here that likes football or just wants to shoot the sh*t about cards and meet other collectors, we are having a football pizza dinner on Thursday night after the show ends and anyone interested is invited. Just PM for the details.

Can't wait to get to Chicago.

jeff