A guy walks into a card show...

[Jobu]

There are several shows in the Milwaukee area but I don't go to them too frequently because there will usually be 10-50 Goudeys and 10-15 cards that came before Goudey. I still go periodically because it is an enjoyable few hours but I almost never buy anything other than supplies.

[Snapolit1]

I've driven to two smallish shows recently near me in NJ and there was very little prewar stuff. One of the shows I walked through and left in 10 minutes. Lots of shiny stuff and one dollar boxes. Not my scene. I realize that few people who hit the smaller shows are there to drop $2500 on a Goudey or a rare photograph so maybe it doesn't make much sense for those dealers to be there. Great to see the diversity of what people collect but I've limited myself to larger shows for precisely this reason. If I go to the White Plains NY show I know there will be some interesting 1900-1940 stuff there.

[Leon]

But the guy that bought my Ruth notebook cover, which I thought was a good buy at $750, wouldn't have gotten a great piece with that attitude. I don't necessarily blame you though .... I think it comes down to a poop to equity ratio for me. If a small card show is within 30 minutes of me I it's not much risk going to it. If I drive 2 hours one way, that is another story. Everyone has their own ratio....

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

I've driven to two smallish shows recently near me in NJ and there was very little prewar stuff. One of the shows I walked through and left in 10 minutes. Lots of shiny stuff and one dollar boxes. Not my scene. I realize that few people who hit the smaller shows are there to drop $2500 on a Goudey or a rare photograph so maybe it doesn't make much sense for those dealers to be there. Great to see the diversity of what people collect but I've limited myself to larger shows for precisely this reason. If I go to the White Plains NY show I know there will be some interesting 1900-1940 stuff there.

[Kawika]

The WSSCA shows in Seattle are about as perfect of a local show as you could wish for. Probably around forty tables (never counted 'em) and a rich mix of vintage and modern with a strong emphasis on Pacific Northwest stuff. You'll meet up with a lot of folks from this board for some hobby talk story and there will be some cardboard gurus thrown in for good measure. The trip is worth it just to sit at Mark Macrae's feet as he recounts the thrilling days of yesteryear or to delight in the bon mots of the witty and urbane Mr Cycleback. I always come away with cool Zeenuts from Andrew Jerome and great postcards from Scott Forrest. It's only seventy-five miles from my home in Victoria but entails a ferry ride and a border crossing which means a six-hour trip and a night in a motel so I don't always go but am always glad when I do. (Where is Barry Sloate to edit this mess?)

[jbsports33]

The local shows here in MA are decent, not as many - but have really started to move towards modern and autographs/quests. The larger shows in the Northeast have a good selection - you just need to ask around more these days!

Good luck!

Jimmy

[mechanicalman]

I live in Western Michigan, and there is a mall that hosts a show about once a month. There's one guy who has some pre-war, but he sometimes leaves it at home as there appears to be little demand for it locally. When it comes to the local show scene, I wonder if the absence of pre-war is driven more by a lack of supply or demand. Just not enough passionate dudes like us I guess.

[darkhorse9]

I went to the Chicago show over the weekend. Every time I go the show gets smaller and smaller, despite the fact that they do a real good job of getting high quality autograph guests in.

Most of the vintage stuff is really dwindling. The pre-war stuff is becoming limited to the major dealers (i.e. 707 and the likes) and is almost always high graded stuff with equally high price tags. Finding any good buys on raw pre-war stuff is impossible.

The only reason I go to shows any more is when I plan on buying a large amount of commons (my goal this weekend was 1949 Bowman). I save the stars and higher priced cards for buying on ebay.

[BruceinGa]

The local show here advertises 40 tables with 13 dealers. I haven't been in quite a while but at that time a couple of dealers had an assortment of T205's and 6's.

[BradH]

Originally Posted by BruceinGa

The local show here advertises 40 tables with 13 dealers. I haven't been in quite a while but at that time a couple of dealers had an assortment of T205's and 6's.

Bruce - I'm guessing you're referring to the "East Cobb Sports Collectibles Show" in Marietta. It's a nice show and is apparently having enough success that it's now held twice a month. I think the next show is Dec. 4. It had more than 50 tables the last time I went. Most of it is 50s-60s cards or newer stuff/autographs, but there is a decent amount of pre-war.

I don't go every time - maybe once every couple months - but I went to the Nov. 6 show and it was good. I purchased five t206s, a couple '33 DeLongs, four 1951 Bowman high #s ... And a 1950s Davy Crokett serving tray (no idea why, but it was cool and I thought it'd look great on my son's shelf).

This was not unusual for this show. The material is there, although some of it is a tad overpriced. Some of it is also a bargain, in my opinion. I slightly overpaid on the '51 Bowmans, but they were cards I needed and my patience is waning with this set.

[glynparson]

I am generally expensive online and in person on tougher or high grade material. I am pretty easy to work with on more common and low grade cards.

[BruceinGa]

Originally Posted by BradH

Bruce - I'm guessing you're referring to the "East Cobb Sports Collectibles Show" in Marietta. It's a nice show and is apparently having enough success that it's now held twice a month. I think the next show is Dec. 4. It had more than 50 tables the last time I went. Most of it is 50s-60s cards or newer stuff/autographs, but there is a decent amount of pre-war.

Yes Brad, that's the one. I haven't been in a year or so. As a matter of fact I haven't been on this board for quite some time also.

[gemmint77]

I set up at a local monthly show here in San Antonio, usually only myself and one other guy has vintage. Its a small show 25-30 tables max. I do well selling some T206 or 33 Goudey's.

[barrysloate]

Originally Posted by Kawika

The WSSCA shows in Seattle are about as perfect of a local show as you could wish for. Probably around forty tables (never counted 'em) and a rich mix of vintage and modern with a strong emphasis on Pacific Northwest stuff. You'll meet up with a lot of folks from this board for some hobby talk story and there will be some cardboard gurus thrown in for good measure. The trip is worth it just to sit at Mark Macrae's feet as he recounts the thrilling days of yesteryear or to delight in the bon mots of the witty and urbane Mr Cycleback. I always come away with cool Zeenuts from Andrew Jerome and great postcards from Scott Forrest. It's only seventy-five miles from my home in Victoria but entails a ferry ride and a border crossing which means a six-hour trip and a night in a motel so I don't always go but am always glad when I do. (Where is Barry Sloate to edit this mess?)

Alive and well.

[bbcard1]

I usually go to the Chantilly show. It's hard to find the sweet spot of dealers with cards that are in a good price range, but it's about the best going and I usually find something. I'll probably be attending the Moeller show this weekend. While quality of cards can be spotty, for a few hours it's as close to a 1980s style show in terms of action as you will ever find.

At one time (early to mid 80s) I was a very successful show promoter unless you count the fact than I never made a profit on my shows. I am sometimes tempted to take another swing at it. Maybe someday.