I attended my first National in 30 years yesterday.
Backstory: The last time I attended I had a booth with a couple of college friends selling our 50's, 60's and 70's cards to help pay for college (we had a substantial collection together and a connection for getting a booth) - so we were Atlanta-bound! At the show I made a trade for a "Honus Wagner" card... it was an e92 Dockman and Sons (hitting). It sat in my nightstand for 25 years until I decided to get it graded a couple of years ago and my desire to complete the Dockman set began!
I've added to the set by making some deals with DJ, Gary Nuchereno and even Leon. That was my quest for heading from PA to AC yesterday, filling in some gaps in the set, and seeing the spectacle that is The National!
My Experience:
* Arrived in AC at ~11 am, parked at Caesars, and made a 1-minute walk to the convention center. Speaking with younger kids and their dads along the entire trip - I got more pumped by their excitement, I'm not going to lie!
* A line of about 100 people at the entrance but worked through that in about 8-10 minutes. A good job was done having enough people putting on wristbands.
* By 11:30, I was IN! Methodically went aisle by aisle looking for my e92 Dockmans. Instead, kicked off my day by purchasing 73 Topps Schmidt rookie (geez, prices on these are REALLY reasonable).
* Saw an INCREDIBLE Dockman Matthewson (PSA 7) and just needed to stare at that for several minutes! Didn't even bother to ask with the dealer wanted, knowing the last REA had one go over $10k and I don't think that baby was a 7!
* Spoke to several dealers and overall their reactions were 'underwhelming' As the day drew on I was at a booth where 2-3 dealers were chatting about not setting up the next day? Wouldn't that get you blacklisted from attending again? Seemed odd but their booths were in a poor location, who knows. The show was packed the entire time I was there and their merch was unremarkable.
* As shared by others, not a ton of vintage, though of the vintage, there were a TON of t206's. Even at non-pre-war setups, I'd see a green or red back Cobb on at least 5-6 occasions.
* e92's nearly nonexistent! Dockmans, Crofts or Najda's - if there were 50-60 in total in the entire convention, I'd be floored! There were more 19th-century cards than e92's.... interesting.
* Reflecting tables (modern stuff) were easy to spot - a ton of people at these tables and brisk buying/selling.
* 707 Sortscards had a huge 4 booth setup and an impressive assortment of cards.
* No shortage of Babe Ruth's, Gehrigs, Cobbs or Mantle's. Also, Clemente's were being pulled out of several cases I was browsing by collectors. Spotted signed 52's Topps Willie Mays and Jackie cards! That was cool.
* Several video streamers broadcasting from their booth, pack-ripping stations and in the aisles.
* As described by others, many, many hard cases are being lugged around - I left in the minority by not having mine!
* Loved seeing kids making deals - trades, trade & cash, straight cash - saw it all.
* Visited a booth where they specialized in Mantle (pics included) -- WOW!
Overall, it was a nice experience. I walked the entire venue in 6 hours - 13,500 steps and saw every booth. I won't wait 3 years for my next National but can say, I wouldn't be making special trips to Chicago or the West Coast to attend That's just me..... and I'm a little spoiled having the Philly Show in my backyard as well.
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