Any National Wrap-ups

[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.

[Peter W Thomas]

Baltimore is a great location - everything within a few blocks of center, including baseball if the O's were in town. Never in a cab except to and from airport.

[Howe’s Hunter]

I've only been to the last one in St. Louis (94 or 95?) and the Cardinals were on the road then. From Peter's post, I gather that the Orioles were on the road also. When a city hosts the National, is the local team ever at home? Would seem to be a draw for some to go to a game to relax after a day of shopping.

[byrone]

Originally Posted by StuckInOmaha

I've only been to the last one in St. Louis (94 or 95?) and the Cardinals were on the road then. From Peter's post, I gather that the Orioles were on the road also. When a city hosts the National, is the local team ever at home? Would seem to be a draw for some to go to a game to relax after a day of shopping.

The last show in Baltimore the Orioles were in town. I attended five games that week...it was a great time. Too bad the O's weren't at home this year.

[Bocabirdman]

Originally Posted by 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.

As someone born a dozen blocks from the Inner Harbor, I would have to agree with your statement. The Broadway/Inner/Harbor/Little Italy area of Baltimore has both held on t0 the old city charm and grabbed a double handful of the new. As long as you do not stray too far off the path. To the East is the neighborhood I grew up in. It is tired. Owner-occupied homes no longer exist. Without pride of ownership blah,blah,blah. Of course, too far south puts you in the Bay. Too far west finds you in a neighborhood in sadder shape than the one I grew up in. If you go north, you will run smack dab into THE BLOCK which is the Red Light district, not a place for an out-of-towner to be after dark.
I guess the same could be said of any major city but at least B-more has great crabs..........

[Tim Kindler]

Bob,
I found lower grade e98s to be very affordable. I picked up 7 of them, some graded, some raw, but all range in A to 30 condition for an average of less than $100 each. Unfortunately I only found 1 that I needed for my master set, but it is better than none. Down to 10 to go. The one I needed was a blue tenney which I got for $1,350 cheaper from one dealer than the other dealer who had the same card in lesser condition. I believe he is the reason why everyone keeps talking about overpriced e98s. I just ignored his table and went on searching and with a little help from a friend spotting some for me got some great deals. Even with the swamp 98s out there, I'll continue to collect and treasure the lower grade ones that I can afford.
Best wishes,
Tim Kindler

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

F*** off usually covers it...

lol

[Exhibitman]

I'd say that this was the worst National in quite a while for me w/r/t material. Percentagewise I came home with more of my money than at any other National. My hotel bill and restaurant/bar tab nearly exceeded my purchases. Mostly MIA from the show were the weekend warriors and local dealers who typically round out the show and from whom I do most of my buying. All of the 'usual suspect' national and full time dealers were there but I can buy from them on Ebay or via mail order. The back of the show between the corporate booths and the autograph pavilion was a virtual wasteland for vintage collectors. There were only about half a dozen booths that weren't maunfactured crap for signing and shiny stuff.

[Jewish-collector]

I think this years National was as good or better than the 2010 Baltimore National. I enjoyed it as much or more than that one. As usual, the Net54 dinner was the highlight of the National. There wasn't one two years ago.

The Inner Harbor area is now a tourist destination. As someone who grew up in the Baltimore suburbs, I remember driving down and parking really close to the Inner Harbor. This, of course, was before Camden Yards, Ravens stadium, convention center, etc,... The National works well in Baltimore because everything is within walking distance of the convention center and it is very family friendly.

[Leon]

Here are some great write ups from our good friends on the non-sports side....


http://www.network54.com/Forum/52660...m+The+National

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