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

[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.

[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

[brian1961]

I was extremely fortunate to have attended the Willow Grove show in the fall of 1988. My wife and I were vacationing in Indiana, far away from our home in western South Dakota, and I took a side trip to Philly. Corresponding with Bob weeks before the show, he helped me become a member of the EPSCC, a mandatory requirement in order to attend the first night of the show. I knew the best stuff would be available that first night; I was oh so right. The two gems I purchased there still remain in my small collection.

Got to meet Mr. Schmierer, who was a friendly, gracious host, and who sold me a mint condition 1987 Perez-Steele Great Moments Mickey Mantle, the greatest post-career commemorative card produced of Mickey Mantle. I bought it strictly for the card itself, though it was perfect for Mick's autograph.

It was a fabulous time. The show was jam-packed, well-organised, and unforgettable. Since it was the only Willow Grove show I ever attended, the event was very special to me. Virtually all the major people in the hobby were there. I remember Tom Reid displaying his super rare Topps Mickey Mantle mask, while Mr. Mint Alan Rosen had on display some of his upcoming phone auction lots; the one that caught my eye was a Nr Mt/Mt complete set of the 1960 Home Run Derby---wow!

All this was possible because of the thoughtful, powerful efforts of Mr. Bob Schmierer. Thanks Bob. You gave us a lot of happiness. May you truly rest in peace, and may God help and comfort your family. ---Brian Powell

[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
.