Bob Schmierer....Philly Show pioneer has passed away.

[tedzan]

It's very sad to report that one of this Hobby's great show pioneers has passed away. Bob Schmierer (and Ted Taylor) started this famous Philly Show in 1975 in
Spring Garden College in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania.

By the early 1980's, this Show was in Willow Grove (PA). It was so popular that it was considered by most to be the best show in the nation next to the National.

Furthermore, Bob promoted the Seashore Philly Show every June at the Music Pier in Ocean City, NJ. What a great summer resort to have a Baseball card Show.

March 1993, Bob moved the Philly Show to the Expo Center in Fort Washington. Due to the huge success that the Philly Show enjoyed during the Willow Grove
years, most collectors continued to refer to this show as " Willow Grove ".

The Fort Washington facility was eventually purchased by GMC. In 2007, Bob moved the Philly Show to the old Western Electric building in Reading, PA.

All of us in this hobby, who were part of this tremendous adventure since the 1980's, which we affectionately refer to as the Willow Grove Show, have such fond
memories of it. Thanks for the memories Bob....and, thanks for making all these Philly Shows such a tremendous success.

Link to article on Bob Schmierer by Ted Taylor in the Montgomery Media (PA):
http://www.montgomerynews.com/articl...mode=fullstory


GOD Bless your soul Bob....you are in our minds and our hearts. And, may GOD comfort your wife Linda and your two daughters and their families.


TED Z
.

[Leon]

I think I spoke with Bob once. Before he sold the show a board member (I think it was D.Mckee) offered to sell a table at the show, on our board, as he didn't need it. That was a no no. I got the call from Bob and he was none to happy.
I don't think he allowed much changing of things once they were set. RIP Bob....

[S_GERACE]

That Philly show was one of the best when it was in Willow Grove in the 1980's! I was just starting to collect & remember seeing things that blew my mind. Some I'd only heard of and others I didn't even know existed. It was always packed with buyers & sellers. So long to a great hobby pioneer!

RIP Bob.

[Jay Wolt]

That's sad to hear. He was a no-nonsense promoter and ran a great show.
I first met Bob in 1981 when I won a Yankee Stadium seat for $35 in the EPSCC (Eastern PA Sports Collectors Club)
& had to pick it up in person at the Willow Grove show. Since then he was always a fixture at for the 4 shows annually.
He wouldn't allow dealers to pack up & leave early. I liked that.
RIP

[Vintagecatcher]

Hi Ted,

Thanks for sharing the information and the link.

I had the pleasure of making the trip to Fort Washington a couple of times.

Patrick

[glynparson]

hope he is at peace.