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

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by oaks1912

Bob lived a good life and, beyond family and friends, left behind a legacy of producing the finest sports collectible shows in the hobby during the 1980's. I started traveling east when I was 20 years old and attended most of the Willow Grove shows from '82 to the early 90's. The show was bigger than life, the crowds were legendary and many longtime friendships were established because of Bob's show. I briefly joined the Eastern Pennsylvania Sports Collectors Club, even though I was living in far western Pennsylvania at the time .... actually Oakland / San Francisco Bay Area.... Many benefitted from Bob's efforts over the years, and he was a no-nonsense guy... Much has been shared over the years from people who attended these shows, but there is absolutely no way of understanding what happened there unless you were there. I know that Ted Taylor co-promoted these shows with Bob for many years, but Bob was always the guy that I called or talked with, and he was usually one of the first guys you would see as you inched your way through the double doors. Thanks for your great efforts and contribution to the hobby, and for providing the outlet to meet so many interesting people and longtime friends. Rest in Peace Bob

I first met Mark Macrae at the March 1983 Willow Grove Show. It was a cold & snowy weekend and here was this tall young guy wearing shorts standing in front of my table asking
for any large lots of vintage cards. I showed him several albums containing Goudey's, Play Balls, an assortment of 1950 - 1955 Bowman's, and a near complete 1949 Bowman set.
We went back and forth on the cost for these "goodies", and settled on a figure that we mutually found acceptable.

And, as Bogey said to Claude Raines in the final scene of Casablanca......" I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. "

Bob Schmierer's Philly Shows were the meeting place of some of the long-lasting, priceless friendships that I have made in this hobby. And, the Baseball cards and memorabilia that
I have acquired are just incidental.


TED Z
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