Feedback from the 2015 National

[Edwolf1963]

Originally Posted by DeanH3

Thanks for the write ups guys. What about caramels? Where there a lot of E95's, 93's, 92's (Croft's Candy or Cocoa's) or 98's?

Some, but not a lot, Dean .. at least in comparison to the T206s. I concur with the previous posters, seemed like every table had them. More of those than I have ever seen at any show - even tougher backs. On the caramels, I picked up a few E94's at some reasonable prices. Saw some E93s, but prices seemed more in-line with where they were during the last bubble. Noticed some E98s, E95s and E92s as well, but you had to hunt around some and ask.

Some other observations: More AH's now than I could ever keep track of! Seems like everyone has an AH now - signs up on several tables about buying or consigning with them.

Busy Thurs and Fri - every vendor I talked to said traffic and sales were quite good heading into the weekend.

707 had a big spread (as usual), but the few times I passed by (both Thurs and Fri) I didn't see anyone at their tables.

And to think up until this show I always thought "Panini" was a grilled sandwich

[bravesfan22]

I went on Saturday with my Brother and Nephew. This was my 2nd national. I had a good time. Bought a couple t206s for my HOF t206 collection. Most dealers I spoke with were very nice and helpful and always willing to negotiate. All in all from my personal standpoint it was a worthwhile trip.

As others have stated I did feel like it's as much as a place for auction houses to promote their next auction as much as it is a place for dealers to sell cards but hey that's part of the hobby as well and honestly I like looking at some of that stuff because 99.9% of it I'll never own so it's cool to atleast see it in person.

One thing I noticed that I didn't notice the last national in Chicago and I think is a positive thing for the hobby is the amount of kids and teenagers I seen buying cards, busting wax at the panini and topps booths and what not. Even seen some kids helping out running dealer booths. Seen plenty of parents both moms and dads helping their kids pick out cards or educating them on the hobby and I think that's great. There's always a lot of chatter about the hobby dying because kids can't afford to be involved or baseball cards don't interest them like they did us when we were kids but I think there's still a healthy amount of kids into the hobby. Sure most of them are more into the autograph cards and busting packs and stuff but hey gotta start somewhere.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by bravesfan22

I went on Saturday with my Brother and Nephew. This was my 2nd national. I had a good time. Bought a couple t206s for my HOF t206 collection. Most dealers I spoke with were very nice and helpful and always willing to negotiate. All in all from my personal standpoint it was a worthwhile trip.

As others have stated I did feel like it's as much as a place for auction houses to promote their next auction as much as it is a place for dealers to sell cards but hey that's part of the hobby as well and honestly I like looking at some of that stuff because 99.9% of it I'll never own so it's cool to atleast see it in person.

One thing I noticed that I didn't notice the last national in Chicago and I think is a positive thing for the hobby is the amount of kids and teenagers I seen buying cards, busting wax at the panini and topps booths and what not. Even seen some kids helping out running dealer booths. Seen plenty of parents both moms and dads helping their kids pick out cards or educating them on the hobby and I think that's great. There's always a lot of chatter about the hobby dying because kids can't afford to be involved or baseball cards don't interest them like they did us when we were kids but I think there's still a healthy amount of kids into the hobby. Sure most of them are more into the autograph cards and busting packs and stuff but hey gotta start somewhere.

Eh, I didn't see much of a future with the kids when they are just there with their parents who collect.....cause not all the collectors kids will collect..and that will result in a smaller group all together...the..future would be healthy if more kids whos parents DID NOT collect started to collect...than that would be a net gain......as opposed to a net loss that I saw...

[bravesfan22]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

Eh, I didn't see much of a future with the kids when they are just there with their parents who collect.....cause not all the collectors kids will collect..and that will result in a smaller group all together...the..future would be healthy if more kids whos parents DID NOT collect started to collect...than that would be a net gain......as opposed to a net loss that I saw...

That what I was saying though is that I was surprised how many kids I seen picking out cards for themselves or busting packs open, asking their parents to buy them this box or this card and being legitimately excited about the cards. I mean sure I don't know if that means they will be lifetime collectors but it seemed to me there was way more kids that seemed to be there for the cards and not just because there parents were. Im sure most of their parents collect as well so I'll give you that. But there's few people I know that pick up a hobby as a kid that wasn't influenced by someone close to them already being involved. on the modern side of the hobby I think their is a healthy number of kids and teenagers involved.

[trdcrdkid]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

Eh, I didn't see much of a future with the kids when they are just there with their parents who collect.....cause not all the collectors kids will collect..and that will result in a smaller group all together...the..future would be healthy if more kids whos parents DID NOT collect started to collect...than that would be a net gain......as opposed to a net loss that I saw...

I'm sure there are lots of kids collecting whose parents don't collect. You can't judge that by a show like the National; I wouldn't expect many/any kids (especially young kids) to come to such a show by themselves, so they're pretty much always going to be there with their parents, whether or not those parents are collectors. I saw a number of father-son combos where both were obviously collectors, but I'm sure there were many noncollector parents who were there with their collector child. My parents sometimes used to come to card shows with me back in the early 80s, though admittedly they would also sometimes drop me off at the show and go shopping somewhere else nearby, if that was feasible. But I was a teenager, 14-16 years old.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by trdcrdkid

I'm sure there are lots of kids collecting whose parents don't collect. You can't judge that by a show like the National; I wouldn't expect many/any kids (especially young kids) to come to such a show by themselves, so they're pretty much always going to be there with their parents, whether or not those parents are collectors. I saw a number of father-son combos where both were obviously collectors, but I'm sure there were many noncollector parents who were there with their collector child. My parents sometimes used to come to card shows with me back in the early 80s, though admittedly they would also sometimes drop me off at the show and go shopping somewhere else nearby, if that was feasible. But I was a teenager, 14-16 years old.

You make some valid points I didn't consider..........but we do know as a whole its not like its gaining steam with the kids so I guess im a bit biased on that issue....its not like there are baseball card stores anymore in most areas and most local shows are few and far between and not many people go too that ive seen......I not sure what kind of showing I was looking for from the younger ones to undo the bias...I guess when I say 'kids' im also meaning guys in their 20s- mid 30s......I also was there towards the back end of the show later in the day on Saturday as well so that could factor into it....

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

I am 42 and actually was thinking about the age factor while I was walking around looking. I was pleasantly surprised to see many guys (and a few ladies) who appeared to be my age and younger. Not sure exactly what they were looking for, but it was nice to see. Also, I got a charge out of watching some of the crochety dealers trying not to interact with the younger collectors. Clothed in their exuberance at just being there, these younger collectors weren't aware they were being avoided. They just went on looking and innocently trying to do business. I will say, on the whole, I did encounter many pleasant dealers who were eager and willing to talk. I had a great time. It is easy to fixate on what might be broken, but there is so much that is still wonderful and captures the imagination. We must never lose that feeling. Friday and Saturday were both awesome! My wife and I drove round trip about 1,440 miles to experience the National, and I would do it all over again.

[travrosty]

most people today looking for the chase cards and throw the rest in the trash. they want the autograph or patch cards or at least the limited chrome, etc cards. the rest go in the wastebasket. its hard to see it changing from that and people collecting the full sets, etc. kids today seem to be caught up in it too. they do a box break on the internet and they skim through all the so called 'junk' to get to the refractor/autograph/patch. to me that is how card collecting got ruined.

[peterose4hof]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

You make some valid points I didn't consider..........but we do know as a whole its not like its gaining steam with the kids so I guess im a bit biased on that issue....its not like there are baseball card stores anymore in most areas and most local shows are few and far between and not many people go too that ive seen......I not sure what kind of showing I was looking for from the younger ones to undo the bias...I guess when I say 'kids' im also meaning guys in their 20s- mid 30s......I also was there towards the back end of the show later in the day on Saturday as well so that could factor into it....

We have two card shops here in Orlando and anytime I visit either one of them there are a bunch of kids ages 6-16. My boys are 4 & 6 and both thoroughly enjoy collecting/trading/sorting/playing with their cards. My 6 year old is especially into it. He gets a real kick out of watching the games on TV and saying, "Hey that's Mike Trout! I have two of his cards."

I'm not saying there are as a many kids collecting today as in years past, but I believe as long as there are kids playing and watching baseball, there will be card collectors.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by peterose4hof

We have two card shops here in Orlando and anytime I visit either one of them there are a bunch of kids ages 6-16. My boys are 4 & 6 and both thoroughly enjoy collecting/trading/sorting/playing with their cards. My 6 year old is especially into it. He gets a real kick out of watching the games on TV and saying, "Hey that's Mike Trout! I have two of his cards."

I'm not saying there are as a many kids collecting today as in years past, but I believe as long as there are kids playing and watching baseball, there will be card collectors.

yes...kids of an active collector as discussed........also the numbers of those watching baseball continue to dwindle when looking at Neilson ratings..

---going for the save----

[trdcrdkid]

I didn't expect to get back to the show after Friday, but as it turned out, I was able to go back for a couple of hours this afternoon. I didn't get there until 2:30, and they let me in for $10 instead of the official $22 because it was so close to the end. Lots of dealers were gone and many more were packing up, but I was able to check out some tables I only glanced at on Friday, and go back to some favorites. I ended up getting nine more raw T206s from three dealers, all of them Net54 members, two of whom I also bought from on Friday. Thanks for the deals, caramelcard, edhans, and Wildfireschulte! My favorite pickup was this beauty of a Chance yellow portrait with an Old Mill back. It has what appears to be some glue on the back, but I'm hoping that (very careful) soaking might help with that.

I also got a Wiltse portrait (with cap) with a Polar Bear back. I've had that card with a Lenox back for more than 30 years, and I just bought one with a Piedmont Factory 42 back from Ted Z on Friday. Ted told me that I now have to do a back run for that card, since I have two of the toughest backs. I guess I'm officially starting it now! I'll try to post scans tomorrow night.

[ValKehl]

Rick,
Kindly allow me to finish your sentence - "There are so many cool vintage pre-war cards," OTHER THAN T206s!!!
Val

[vthobby]

Originally Posted by bravesfan22

I went on Saturday with my Brother and Nephew. This was my 2nd national. I had a good time. Bought a couple t206s for my HOF t206 collection. Most dealers I spoke with were very nice and helpful and always willing to negotiate. All in all from my personal standpoint it was a worthwhile trip.

As others have stated I did feel like it's as much as a place for auction houses to promote their next auction as much as it is a place for dealers to sell cards but hey that's part of the hobby as well and honestly I like looking at some of that stuff because 99.9% of it I'll never own so it's cool to atleast see it in person.

One thing I noticed that I didn't notice the last national in Chicago and I think is a positive thing for the hobby is the amount of kids and teenagers I seen buying cards, busting wax at the panini and topps booths and what not. Even seen some kids helping out running dealer booths. Seen plenty of parents both moms and dads helping their kids pick out cards or educating them on the hobby and I think that's great. There's always a lot of chatter about the hobby dying because kids can't afford to be involved or baseball cards don't interest them like they did us when we were kids but I think there's still a healthy amount of kids into the hobby. Sure most of them are more into the autograph cards and busting packs and stuff but hey gotta start somewhere.

Adam,

Well said and a very good "show report". There are actually some of us on here that see a paragraph about kids being at the show and take a positive note from it. To find anything negative about that report is just plain baffling and I will not even venture into that quagmire. Some people just like to hear themselves type and then they like to listen to the crickets after........ chirp chirp

Thanks for the report and I also liked David's post above mine.

Peace, Mike

[DeanH3]

[QUOTE=Edwolf1963;1437405]Some, but not a lot, Dean .. at least in comparison to the T206s. I concur with the previous posters, seemed like every table had them. More of those than I have ever seen at any show - even tougher backs. On the caramels, I picked up a few E94's at some reasonable prices. Saw some E93s, but prices seemed more in-line with where they were during the last bubble. Noticed some E98s, E95s and E92s as well, but you had to hunt around some and ask.

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.