"The Philly Show" at Valley Forge Casino September 22-24 Announcement

[phillyteamhater]

Originally Posted by Leon

Do you order fried chicken at Burger King?

Yes I know this is a vintage forum and I was directed to this thread from another more modern forum, and if a change of show promotor means a change of direction in the show to a even more vintage focus I think they will lose even more customers and he should be aware of that as well. Or if it's headed that way market it as such so modern collectors know it's not going to be a good show for them.

[cardsnstuff]

I used to go to this show when it was George Washington Motor Lodge, I was around 8; By time I was 10-11 (my buddy was 4 yrs older) my father used to drop us off around 9 am and pick up at 7 or 8 after the live auction {which I always thought was really cool as a small kid to watch} I used to go with my notebook {list} and $20-$30, which was lot in 1976. My 2 fondest memories happened at that show #1, I found a Mike Schmidt rookie card in someone's quarter box, I couldn't pay him fast enough {it might have booked, if your old enough to remember that term you know what i am talking about for $5 at the time. My 2nd memory was I bought my first vintage card, a real sharp 1959 Clemente for $5; I think he wanted $10, I know it was more than I had, I said this is my last $5, which it was and he sold to me.; keep in mind this is around 1976-77-78. {I remember Mr. Mint vividly on a side note, mostly from Fort Washington though } I used to spend all day with my friend who collected to and was a few years older than I. When it moved to Willow Grove; or they may been at Fort Washington, I was older, cards were becoming popular and I set up for the first time. I was probably around 15-16, maybe 17, my buddy set up too; I'll never forget I had no prices listed on my cards and people would ask me all day Sat; How much? That Sat Night I took everything home {if I recall there were no more Sat night auctions} and wrote prices on the hard card cases; by Sunday afternoon, after I sold a few {less than 10} I packed up, {I just discovered PSA and picked up a SMR and saw their prices compared to book price; it may have been beckett by then, originally it was a paper CCP or something like that. I may still still one lying around I have to check} I didn't want to sell any more of my cards, until I checked them for grading. I would also buy there though. A few years went by, and then I had no ill feelings about selling and buying, it was a marketplace now, and I probably needed the money.

When it went to valley forge I set up for the first few but the show really took a nose dive in my opinion. It became an auto fest. I remember Bob Schmier never had more than 1 or 2 great guests, but it wasn't about the auto's then. {perhaps, things have changed}. I mean when I was a kid we {kids} used to sit on the curb and trade and buy/sell. I think it was late Fort Washington when they said you could only sell to dealers and if you were caught selling outside you wouldn't be allowed back in. I remember I really frowned on that concept. Back then dealers buy prices were not very strong.

Any way, I don't know if we ever met; but I hope you bring the show back to what it was. I too, have not missed a show if I did it's only a handful, and that includes Ocean City. It was good, even at Willow Grove, it has been bad at Valley Forge for years. No traffic, except at auto lines, from what I see, which is not good for anyone.

So what is the point of all this; to reminiscence, partly, but most importantly, bring back the live auction. A) for the dealers it keeps the customers around until the end of the show; B) for the customers it is a great experience and it gives you a reason to stay. And if your a collector and your at a show your buying and it's a win-win. If I remember Schmier used to ask the dealers if they any lots for the auction. It seems people like to trade ~ online at least ~ so why not set up a section where they can do that.

I may set up in Sept, I guess, let's see how it is next weekend. I am 20 minutes away FWIW. I am looking forward to it (but now mostly to drop off stuff at PSA and catch up with some dealer friends). Now I bring my 10 & 11 yr old, and tell them to look through the dime boxes. And they love it. This thread brought back a lot of great memories. Thanks All.

[Rich Klein]

Since Phillyteamhater is spouting an opinion, she needs to have her name posted as per forum rules

And, that is an interesting dichotomy about crowds with autograph guests and more vintage dealer based show. Yes, with a lot of autograph guests you will draw more people but then the vintage collectors may well then stay home.

And if you want the dealers to do well, most of them will tell you they prefer a nice crowd with 1-2 auto guests at most shows but not an onslaught. The National is a bit of an exception since the Autograph Pavilion is totally removed from the dealer tables.

Regards
Rich

[glynparson]

don't look for me to be adding any modern. well i have some 1970's cards.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

Since Phillyteamhater is spouting an opinion, she needs to have her name posted as per forum rules

And, that is an interesting dichotomy about crowds with autograph guests and more vintage dealer based show. Yes, with a lot of autograph guests you will draw more people but then the vintage collectors may well then stay home.

And if you want the dealers to do well, most of them will tell you they prefer a nice crowd with 1-2 auto guests at most shows but not an onslaught. The National is a bit of an exception since the Autograph Pavilion is totally removed from the dealer tables.

Regards
Rich

Just my two cents, Chantilly was a veritable autograph factory, and, as a vintage dealer the best show I've done. I don't think the two ideas are incompatible.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Just my two cents, Chantilly was a veritable autograph factory, and, as a vintage dealer the best show I've done. I don't think the two ideas are incompatible.

Agreed. Having moved from collecting only cards to only autographs back in the mid 90's (slowly moving back to cards) I think in this day and age the promoter should want to appeal to a broad swath of the collecting population. I know collectors who only collect cards, others who only collect autographs, and some who collect both.

Bringing in B and C list actors brings in another type of collector. Personally, I like this new trend as long as there is a baseball tie-in. Drier Brown will be at Chantilly again, and he is a great guy (no, I am not his agent). I am surprised that more female soccer players are not at Chantilly. Chastain, Hamm, Solo and Wambach crushed when they were scheduled to sign. Those type of players bring in a different crowd.

I think one of the things that angers dealers is when the spillover from the autograph crowd blocks potential customers from reaching their table. I understand that concern. The fear of the autograph collector is missing out on the guest, which is why most collectors congregate in the autograph area. Most venues have poor PA systems. A problem with autograph tickets is the tiered pricing (flat, oversize, equipment, art etc.). Each tier starts at 1. So initially, when tickets 1-25 are called the number of collectors wanting to be let in is 25 times the amount of tiers. (granted some collectors could have multiples of a given tier but you get the drift). Easy fix, start the first tier of tickets at 1, the second tier at 200, third tier at 300 and so on and so on. The fear of missing out on a guest is magnified due to poor PA systems. Chantilly does a great job of letting the collector know where each signer is at number wise. I walk the show floor until my tickets numbers are called. Other promoters and venues have poor PA systems and signage that there is no way the collector is going to chance straying too far from the autograph area. Saying that the PA drowns out conversation on the show floor is just north of ridiculous.

[Rich Klein]

I have written about this in the past but at one Albany show with Mickey Mantle, I actually asked the promoter to put me as near the auto line as possible.

Why? Well I was basically setting up at the show for Baseball hobby news and did not bring many cards with me so the purpose was to talk to collectors and schmooze them while they were waiting in line.

A couple of dealers got all upset at the auto line (and I suspect at me for where I was -- although I had no real cards at that show) and demanded Ed Keetz move the auto line away from the show floor as that was interfering with dealer sales.

You know. those smug dealers did even less business the rest of the weekend (as did I) and why? Well instead of using being near the auto line an opportunity to talk to people, instead they wanted to deal with the few "real collectors' who attended.

Yes I know this was 30 years ago but the lesson remains the same. If people are coming for a reason. find a way to talk to them instead of limiting your audience to a few people.

regards
Rich

[midmo]

Originally Posted by biohazard

Saying that the PA drowns out conversation on the show floor is just north of ridiculous.

I have absolutely experienced this. At the Chicago National a couple years ago I was trying to talk to Chuck Blue (can't remember what booth number he was), but we had to stop several times because we could not hear each other over the PA. It was a bit out of control when they were doing some breaks or whatever was going on.

[tennisguy]

I sat out the last two or three shows at Valley Forge, but I'll give this one a go. Either Saturday or Sunday morning. Look forward to hopefully running into a few Net54 members.