The 1st National Sports Collectors Convention

[Writehooks]

I made the trip from northern Alberta to L.A. to attend the first National and was very pleasantly surprised -- not only by the variety of cards and memorabilia, but by the courtesy and camaraderie. I was by myself, and it was my first trip to California, but the atmosphere couldn't have been friendlier. My first purchase was $200 for 50 different WFL and WHA media guides -- including Gretzky's debut appearance with the Indianapolis Racers (1978-79). I also picked up several Topps and OPC hockey sets, an on-site Ali-Frazier I program and the on-site program for Evel Knievel's attempted jump across the Snake River Canyon in '74. I've only attended the Anaheim shows since, but keep my fingers crossed that the National will come west again, sooner rather than later. I've always thought Seattle would be a great city for it.