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.