Best dealers at the National

[JasonB24]

Hey Guys and Gals,
Super excited to go to my first National and collect Pre-War/Vintage. Trying to map out a game plan. I have zero interest in anything modern so who are the dealers I should hit up for anything up through the '70s? Also looking for an Abraham Lincoln Presidential piece (preferably something like a historic autographs writing sample card) Who might have something like that? Sorry for all the questions, I just don't know dealers' names and what they have for inventory (yet). Thanks in advance.

Jay

[Peter_Spaeth]

Try google. Way too many for anyone to list.
https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...Booths+619.pdf

[theshowandme]

Stan Loch
Bill Chappell
Howard Chasser
Ashish Jain


Can’t help with the Lincoln hunt

[Lobo Aullando]

I systematically walk the aisles, taking notes. I know where the market is for a couple of my top targets so I can jump on them if I encounter one in my "bargaining zone." After that first pass, I drop back by places and try to get things to shake out so that I get the most for my budget.

And when I say "my budget," I really mean 110-125% of what I had in mind when I walked in.

[Lobo Aullando]

Good start, and there are plenty more.

Heritage should have reps on site, and they're the most likely to be dealing in presidential memorabilia, although they probably won't have any with them. Doesn't hurt to make a contact, though.

Originally Posted by theshowandme

Stan Loch
Bill Chappell
Howard Chasser
Ashish Jain


Can’t help with the Lincoln hunt

[prestigecollectibles]

The National website now has an interactive map
https://www.nsccshow.com/interactive-map

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by prestigecollectibles

The National website now has an interactive map
https://www.nsccshow.com/interactive-map

Thanks for sharing this.

[calvindog]

Glenn Mechanick and his wife have the most interesting table at the National and have plenty of presidential and historic memorabilia, along with 19th century cards.

[theshowandme]

I’ll add Craig Halbig to my list

I’ve met him a few times at the National and Strongsville

He just did his annual National preview interview with Net54 board member Mike M

https://youtu.be/kDP8uV8WVPc?si=Y6f_CSAvfQ6pkhJR

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Glenn Mechanick and his wife have the most interesting table at the National and have plenty of presidential and historic memorabilia, along with 19th century cards.

Glenn (and his wonderful, weird, rare stuff) is awesome.

My two cents, at the risk of sounding like a grumpy old man, is forget you made this post.

It seems like everyone is looking for a "hack" now-a-days. A trick to make things quicker or more convenient. Hell it seems like half of social media is dedicated to the idea.

Maybe in some cases it's a great idea, but I think you're doing yourself a disservice in this instance.

Wander the show, see EVERYTHING, it only takes a second to walk past a table with nothing appealing, and I guarantee you, no matter how many names get listed in this thread, you will find someone who has awesome stuff that didn't get mentioned if you "rough it."

People (many of whom are never happy unless they're tearing something down) grouse about the National. "Same Dealers. High Prices. Lousy Food. No Air Conditioning (OK that one sucked). The counter to these complaints is usually about the experience. Meeting with friends, the atmosphere of thousands of people who love the same thing (in broad strokes) that you do, and mixed in with that is the fact that, even now with dealers being shouldered aside for corporations and "breaker pavilions" there's still a good chance you will see something at the National that you would never see anywhere else.

Last year I saw a nearly complete recreation of a Buchner Gold Coin Advertising Uncut Sheet with only a few cards missing. I heard that before the end of the show he had actually filled in one of the missing cards. That's beyond a needle in a haystack because they just don't line up perfectly unless it is literally the exact same card from 135 years ago.

So my point is, don't deprive yourself of the joy and frustration of doing it the hard way. Unless this is truly just a mercenary mission, or you're on a strict time budget (if you only have one day, ignore everything I said) the frustration makes the successes all the more memorable, and the opportunity to stumble on something amazing that thousands of people have walked past truly does exist.

Anyway I'll be over here:

[bigfish]

Kirk Kovacs had some very cool presidential stuff at the strongsville show. He usually is at the national and def worth a look.

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Glenn (and his wonderful, weird, rare stuff) is awesome.

My two cents, at the risk of sounding like a grumpy old man, is forget you made this post.

It seems like everyone is looking for a "hack" now-a-days. A trick to make things quicker or more convenient. Hell it seems like half of social media is dedicated to the idea.

Maybe in some cases it's a great idea, but I think you're doing yourself a disservice in this instance.

Wander the show, see EVERYTHING, it only takes a second to walk past a table with nothing appealing, and I guarantee you, no matter how many names get listed in this thread, you will find someone who has awesome stuff that didn't get mentioned if you "rough it."

People (many of whom are never happy unless they're tearing something down) grouse about the National. "Same Dealers. High Prices. Lousy Food. No Air Conditioning (OK that one sucked). The counter to these complaints is usually about the experience. Meeting with friends, the atmosphere of thousands of people who love the same thing (in broad strokes) that you do, and mixed in with that is the fact that, even now with dealers being shouldered aside for corporations and "breaker pavilions" there's still a good chance you will see something at the National that you would never see anywhere else.

Last year I saw a nearly complete recreation of a Buchner Gold Coin Advertising Uncut Sheet with only a few cards missing. I heard that before the end of the show he had actually filled in one of the missing cards. That's beyond a needle in a haystack because they just don't line up perfectly unless it is literally the exact same card from 135 years ago.

So my point is, don't deprive yourself of the joy and frustration of doing it the hard way. Unless this is truly just a mercenary mission, or you're on a strict time budget (if you only have one day, ignore everything I said) the frustration makes the successes all the more memorable, and the opportunity to stumble on something amazing that thousands of people have walked past truly does exist.

Anyway I'll be over here:

My buddy and I will be attending our first National since 2015, and it’s obvious that things have changed quite a bit. I do plan to see everything… except maybe the VeeFriends booth.

[brass_rat]

Jay,

Welcome to your first National. I'm sure you'll have an excellent time, especially if you take Scott's advice and wander the entire show.

If you're there on Thursday, come join us for an evening pre-war event right next to the show:

https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=350606

One of the best things you can do is meet people. I've been so fortunate to make good friends over the years, and we watch out for things on each other's want lists.

Cheers,
Steve

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Efficiency is the enemy of experience. I think I just made that up.

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Efficiency is the enemy of experience. I think I just made that up.

Good one. You should change your auction house name from "The Collector Connection" to "Experience Over Efficiency".

But then again, perhaps this name change would give off the wrong impression.


Brian (keep your experience close, and your efficient enemies closer)

[JasonB24]

Thanks everyone for all the advice! It's been great and most of the names have been added to my list. I have about 40 booths on my list, I think I am most excited about networking. I should apologize, I wasn't necessarily looking for a "hack" I should've said "favorite dealers". Y'all are so knowledgeable I just didn't want to mss out on anything really cool (and possibly available). Keep the names coming and I'll add them, happy hunting!

[Steve_NY]

I would also argue that there are no shortcuts to finding exactly what you seek- you really need to think systematically and walk the show that way. It is very easy to get a list of target dealers but by just focusing on them you are doing yourself a disservice.

BTW I picked up a nice selection of US and Canadian It happened to a President wrappers and have completed many collectors checklists - stop by at booth 800 8 booths in the main entrance to see my large wrapper display.

Also I have added 1930s and 1940s unopened wax packs to my late 1940s through 1970 display of wax packs. I will have early hockey from 1933 and up, football from 1935 National Chicle and up, basketball from 1948 and up and a large display of baseball from 1933 and 1934 Goudey and up. Contact me now or stop by at the National. Also non sports from 1920s and up.

BTW I am not just a seller, I own all but two of every regular issue wax packs from every sport 1948 - 1970. Since I started collecting 1930s and 1940s wax packs last year, I estimate I own 75 to 85 percent of all sports packs that came out during those years - stop by to see what I have for sale or contact me beforehand.


Steve_NY

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Just do a walk-through of all the aisles. It's pretty easy to tell who will likely have what you seek. If you don't see exactly what you're after on display, just inquire with dealers where similar material is being offered. Use logic/common sense. Don't waste time asking for vintage at a mostly modern dealer, etc. It's pretty straightforward. (I guarantee you this will prompt at least one person from sharing their great vintage find at a modern dealer's booth. Happy for their success, but I prefer my own approach.)

I am not sure what the people are doing who say you need soooo much time for the show. Not really necessary, unless you're wanting to put in hours upon hours of going through monster boxes looking for commons, or standing in the autograph/TPA lines.

Personally, I'd rather be efficient to get myself out of the venue and area as quickly as possible (this goes for all National venues/areas I've ever been to). I never went in with any game plan mapped out. Could always wrap it all up in a few hours max. What I looked forward to the most about the National was leaving the National! Sayonara, sea of backpacks and B.O.! But my show days are long over. The excitement of shows died with childhood. Now, you'd really have to twist my arm with a great financial reward for attending any show.

[Rich Klein]

Originally Posted by Lobo Aullando

I systematically walk the aisles, taking notes. I know where the market is for a couple of my top targets so I can jump on them if I encounter one in my "bargaining zone." After that first pass, I drop back by places and try to get things to shake out so that I get the most for my budget.

And when I say "my budget," I really mean 110-125% of what I had in mind when I walked in.

great advice. Yes one should walk around BUT if you see your "white whale" and it's priced/condition you want then buy it when you see said item. I can't tell you how often I heard well I'll come back for my priority item and it's gone.

Now an item like a Seaver RC, you can wander around. An item like a 1920's William Patterson whomever are so tough that you might not see another one at the show

Rich

[bbsports]

Best dealers at the National? That's a very vague question to ask. It all depends on what your looking for and if the dealer is willing to work out a sale with the buyer. I won't mention any names as that would unfair to the other dealers I don't know. My advise to the buyers is to walk around the entire room the first day since it's a huge show. If you see something you like at a particular booth, write their booth number down as your walking around, and then to return to that seller's booth to work out a sale.

[JasonB24]

Originally Posted by Steve_NY

I would also argue that there are no shortcuts to finding exactly what you seek- you really need to think systematically and walk the show that way. It is very easy to get a list of target dealers but by just focusing on them you are doing yourself a disservice.

BTW I picked up a nice selection of US and Canadian It happened to a President wrappers and have completed many collectors checklists - stop by at booth 800 8 booths in the main entrance to see my large wrapper display.

Also I have added 1930s and 1940s unopened wax packs to my late 1940s through 1970 display of wax packs. I will have early hockey from 1933 and up, football from 1935 National Chicle and up, basketball from 1948 and up and a large display of baseball from 1933 and 1934 Goudey and up. Contact me now or stop by at the National. Also non sports from 1920s and up.

BTW I am not just a seller, I own all but two of every regular issue wax packs from every sport 1948 - 1970. Since I started collecting 1930s and 1940s wax packs last year, I estimate I own 75 to 85 percent of all sports packs that came out during those years - stop by to see what I have for sale or contact me beforehand.


Steve_NY

Thanks Steve, you were already on my list! I will definitely be stopping by. I wouldn't say I am focusing on the list, I will definitely be taking in all the bells and whistles the National has to offer. It's just a way to weed out all the modern/ultra modern/breaking stuff I have no interest in.

[Republicaninmass]

The overpriced ebay/fb museum coming in person next month! The "best" are the ones with great customer service and fair prices. 2nd tier Ones that don't know what they have. 3rd tier ones who set up late and didn't have other dealers grab the hot stuff to reprice before public viewing

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by bigfish

Kirk Kovacs had some very cool presidential stuff at the strongsville show. He usually is at the national and def worth a look.

Kirk and his wife are great people!

[Steve_NY]

Here’s a true story that collectors should read and not ignore: I set up at all the early Gloria Rothstein shows in NY. At one particular show, the doors opened and three collector customers got to my table early and asked to see three tough Old Judge cards that I picked up that week butthe show just opened so they said that they will think about it. They came back to buy all three cards about 15 minutes later and there were already spaces in my showcase where they had been. They thought I was pulling their legs. But it’s probably been almost 40 years ago since this happened and it feels like yesterday. As I have told other collectors and dealers, if you have been looking for something for ages and you find one, don’t make that same mistake. The same thing happens all of the time. Don’t let this happen to you.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

^^^

And you can always upgrade.

In instances such as Steve's above, you can always make a quick flip, too, so just strike when the iron is hot and worry about the rest later (budget permitting, of course).

[JasonB24]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

Kirk and his wife are great people!

Unfortunately I don't see Kirk on the dealer list

[Leon]

+1
I prefer starting at one end and going to the other. The National has dealers you won't see other places...

I can usually walk by the tables fairly quickly and know if there is anything I am going to want.. The guys with all shiny don't have vintage behind their booths. A day or two of leisurely looking is all it takes for me, but I am not a dealer or flipper (for the most part).
.

Originally Posted by BillyCoxDodgers3B

Just do a walk-through of all the aisles. It's pretty easy to tell who will likely have what you seek. If you don't see exactly what you're after on display, just inquire with dealers where similar material is being offered. Use logic/common sense. Don't waste time asking for vintage at a mostly modern dealer, etc. It's pretty straightforward. (I guarantee you this will prompt at least one person from sharing their great vintage find at a modern dealer's booth. Happy for their success, but I prefer my own approach.)

I am not sure what the people are doing who say you need soooo much time for the show. Not really necessary, unless you're wanting to put in hours upon hours of going through monster boxes looking for commons, or standing in the autograph/TPA lines.

Personally, I'd rather be efficient to get myself out of the venue and area as quickly as possible (this goes for all National venues/areas I've ever been to). I never went in with any game plan mapped out. Could always wrap it all up in a few hours max. What I looked forward to the most about the National was leaving the National! Sayonara, sea of backpacks and B.O.! But my show days are long over. The excitement of shows died with childhood. Now, you'd really have to twist my arm with a great financial reward for attending any show.