Any National Wrap-ups

[insidethewrapper]

Maybe I missed it, but haven't seen any National reviews. Attendance figures, dealer response, collector response, accommodations etc.

[hangman62]

I too didnt attend and would love to hear all the storys/opinions/tales/fables,etc... I find that stuff always interesting and entertaining

Ral G

[skelly]

I went for the first time and will offer the following insight. As far as prices go, I was pleasantly surprised to see that most dealers seemed to want to sell. I truly didn't encounter row after row of "museums" as I thought I would. It also seemed to be rather friendly, as dealers are starting to realize that when those in their late 30's ( such as myself ) are some of the youngest collectors, that isn't good sign.

They say that if it exists, it can be found at the national, but I only found 2 dealers that had any 59 Bazooka cards, Couldn't find a T-227 Jack Johnson. ( except for one that was crazy overpriced ) Only 2 dealers had any tobacco ( c56 / c57 ) hockey. So to be honest that was a little disappointing. Just a side note on that topic. If the two dealers that have the vintage hockey will not sell to me at DOUBLE the SMR price, that's correct I was willing to pay double SMR, do you think someone should alert PSA that they are sleeping at the wheel on that one. I don't blame the dealers, I credit them, they've done their homework ( as had I ) on what these really sell for.

Some quick tidbits
Much more "new" / "shiny" stuff than I expected to see.
Overall a very healthy selection of boxing.
Not a lick of vintage soccer ( I've set up at local shows, and have always done outstanding with vintage soccer ( pre 1970 )
Some dealers seemed to have product that would make it difficult for them to cover their expenses even if they sold everything on their table. From an attendee standpoint I'm pleased they came, I bought lots of cards from one of these such dealers, just don't understand it from an economic perspective on their end.
Basically all white males, didn't see any ethnicity at the show
I know he's a lightning rod of sorts, but I enjoyed meeting Levi of 707. Very professional with his set-up and I find him to be pleasant. I know this might sound crazy, but I think their is almost a weird kind of status that would be attached to buying from Levi.
Finally, I hope the dealers did well and I truly feel this is one of the few shows they have an advantage, because I don't think people want to pay the admission, drive/fly all the way to the show and not spend money. I know I bought things that I wouldn't have bothered with at a more "local" show. Sorry this was so long. Please feel free to comment/agree, disagree with anything I've said, etc.

[hangman62]

Skel,
very nice recap !

[tbob]

Skelly- thanks for the writeup, very interesting. I am not surprised that you didn't find any vintage hockey. The C46 baseball set (Canadian) is a very tough set to ever find also. I know there have been a couple of set breakups on ebay lately but usually the cards are tough, especially in nice shape.
It appears from what I've heard that dealers escalated prices on low grade E98s based on the Swamp Find cards (which makes little sense to me) and that everyone (except Jeff who found a violet E94 Cobb) was unable to find any E94s and very few E99s and E100s.
Someone tell me if I am wrong but it appears D311s were MIA also. Shame, they are such a beautiful set.

[t213]

Originally Posted by tbob

Someone tell me if I am wrong but it appears D311s were MIA also. Shame, they are such a beautiful set.

tbob, I picked up 4 D311s and I saw about a half dozen others.

Andy

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by skelly

...I truly feel this is one of the few shows they have an advantage, because I don't think people want to pay the admission, drive/fly all the way to the show and not spend money. I know I bought things that I wouldn't have bothered with at a more "local" show...

+1

I came home empty handed as far as my prewar focus goes, but picked up some cheap Sandberg stuff just to buy something.

[ls7plus]

Thanks for the recap. I'm not surprised you didn't find much '59 Bazooka, as 14 cards in the set are short prints, and are really pretty damn rare (I've been looking for a nice Ashburn for several years now). With the '92 Atlanta National being the first one I attended, I think the old saying that "if it exists, you'll find it at the National" was far more true then, when the number of dealer tables was 2 to 2 and one-half times the present allotment (the internet has become the forum where a much larger chunk of the business is being done these days).

Glad your experience was positive!

Larry

[WVSPORTKINGS]

I hope this is the thread that I can repeat some of the things that I heard on the show floor?
They, that being the National committee tried to book the convention center for 2016, could not get the first week of August, already booked, I didn't ask if they tried for 2017. I guess it will be many years before it returns to Charm City?
Before you ask why it has to be on the first week of August each summer, I was told two years ago that this week is the down week between Little Leauge Baseball and the start of Pop Warner Football. The committee is hoping to make it kid friendly! Just like politics it's all about the youth.

One of my friends talked with a dealer Friday who had brought 7 Mantle Rookies to the show and had sold 5 of them by Friday afternoon and said if he sold the sixth one he was going to pack up Friday evening and leave!

I had a guy grab my arm and ask me if I had seen the Babe Ruth game worn jersey that sold for 4.4 million dollars, then he tells me, that is the 1% that Obama Hates? I was so shocked I didn't no what to say.

Mark WVSportkings

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by WVSPORTKINGS

I had a guy grab my arm and ask me if I had seen the Babe Ruth game worn jersey that sold for 4.4 million dollars, then he tells me, that is the 1% that Obama Hates? I was so shocked I didn't no what to say.

F*** off usually covers it...

[calvindog]

I thought the show was significantly better than last year in terms of both material being sold and prices. Dealers seemed more realistic and were no longer simply dumping their unsold ebay store inventories on tables. As such I ended up with some cards that I didn't expect to find after the past two relatively disappointing Nationals.

I also felt the dealers were a bit more solicitous than in the past, again probably a function of the economy. I even saw some Civil War era material which were real highlights for me. The very back of the floor was mostly a vast wasteland with modern cards and boxed sets but, again, I felt there were more vintage tables set up than last year.

Baltimore is also a great city for the National. Unlike in Chicago, the convention center and connected hotels are close to the good parts of the city.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

F*** off usually covers it...

lol