reports from the 2017 National

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by LuckyLarry

So I'm waiting for my carry on bag to go through the scanner. The TSA agent grabs my bag, takes it to a secure area and says follow me. So I'm plenty early for my flight, I've not packed anything illegal, and I appreciate TSA security. The agent pulls out a stack of 100 sixteen pocket Ultra Pro sheets wrapped in Saran Wrap. Gives me a look like cocaine? Stacks of cash? I admit it looks very suspicious and state "Ultra Pro plastic sheets that hold 1948 Bowman baseball cards". She points me to another TSA guy, who proceeds to pat me down in all the wrong places.
It's gonna be a hell of a week!
Larry

Heh. I went on vacation a few weeks back and bought a bunch of baseballs, postcards and other assorted memorabilia items. I packed them in a backpack for carrying on the plane. I noticed that my family sailed through and they set my backpack aside. They were seemingly ignoring it so I asked them if I could get my backpack. Then another TSA agent appeared out of nowhere and took me to a station where she unloaded my backpack in a not so nice manner. I had to ask her to please not open the sealed vintage baseballs in original boxes. She ran some machine over it a million times and then put a "swab" in a machine and I guess it came back negative for whatever bad stuff she was looking for because she told me to pack it back up and be on my way. I was hoping for a patdown.

[wdwfan]

When we were leaving Disney World in February coming home, my backpack set off the TSA machines. I had a souvenir baseball in it. They opened it and ran the baseball through the machine. They said they had to do so because it's hollow inside and people could hide things in the baseball. I was like really? People will actually do that?

Once they swabbed and scanned it, it came back clear and I was allowed to go on my way. But they patted me down and acted like I was up to something bad before I was eventually cleared. I was pretty upset.

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

Heh. I went on vacation a few weeks back and bought a bunch of baseballs, postcards and other assorted memorabilia items. I packed them in a backpack for carrying on the plane. I noticed that my family sailed through and they set my backpack aside. They were seemingly ignoring it so I asked them if I could get my backpack. Then another TSA agent appeared out of nowhere and took me to a station where she unloaded my backpack in a not so nice manner. I had to ask her to please not open the sealed vintage baseballs in original boxes. She ran some machine over it a million times and then put a "swab" in a machine and I guess it came back negative for whatever bad stuff she was looking for because she told me to pack it back up and be on my way. I was hoping for a patdown.

[LuckyLarry]

(Copied from OBC server)
Opening bell found me sorting a big stack of exhibit aircraft cards both white and black numbers buying 66 cards for about .75c each. Two more sets to chase lol. The show seems pretty busy all day to me. To mix things up I got three free autographs NBA Bill Cartwright, Fritz Peterson, and Scott Williamson also PSA took my picture insert into a baseball card and slabbed it kind of fun plus they gave me a mini bat of some kind labeled "Submission Stress Stick" lol I am not kidding!
Visited Net54 member Taxmechanick (Glenn) and bought an 1887 Gold Coin N284 card of Bushong slabbed SGC 10 what 1887? Thanks Glenn I love it!
Met lots of old and new friends both OBC and Net54 then pulled the trigger on some kind of game card featuring the Adams kids Pugsley and Wednesday it just drew me in for three dollars lol!
Finished a bunch of sets today '61 Nu Card Scoops baseball, 1959 Topps Wacky Plaks, 1966 "007", 1967 Topps Maya, 1971 Fleer Drag Champs, 1972 Donruss Choppers and Hot Bikes, and brought several sets down to one or two. I did buy a nice stack of original 1969 Donruss Odd Rods happy to get those.
Eleven hits total now 1934 Diamond Stars baseball and 23 hits 1933 Goudey baseball really gaining some ground on these sets.
Also finished 1953 Topps World on Wheels with two low grade high numbers which are not seen much, one dealer had three high numbers and I needed two. I nicknamed this dealer "half price Harry" cause I would request a price half of what was listed on his already discounted prices and my technique worked most of the time.
As you can see plenty of non sports cards here on the show floor. No gripes from me at all I think the show has been solid. I did start to hear the roar of the crowd over at the box breaks or pack wars area but although it's not my thing plenty of collectors like this fine by me.
I need one card to complete 1966 Philadelphia Green Beret set but bought an unopened wax pack for $10 gonna open that baby up one in sixty-six chance I pull the card I need, don't worry I won't attempt the Gum.
I cancelled on the trip to downtown and had a nice dinner across the street with Taylor, Bob, and Spike with a Van Halen cover band performing on the green they are called Atomic Punk 23 years a cover band? Stopped at Walgreens Bob/Cigs Spike/Pepsi Taylor/nothing Me/Haagen-Dazs I win that version of pack wars!
Exhausted and ready to sleep its 11:18 PM. Got to be ready for tomorrow!
Larry



Sent from my iPhone

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by LuckyLarry

(Copied from OBC server)
Opening bell found me sorting a big stack of exhibit aircraft cards both white and black numbers buying 66 cards for about .75c each. Two more sets to chase lol. The show seems pretty busy all day to me. To mix things up I got three free autographs NBA Bill Cartwright, Fritz Peterson, and Scott Williamson also PSA took my picture insert into a baseball card and slabbed it kind of fun plus they gave me a mini bat of some kind labeled "Submission Stress Stick" lol I am not kidding!
Visited Net54 member Taxmechanick (Glenn) and bought an 1887 Gold Coin N284 card of Bushong slabbed SGC 10 what 1887? Thanks Glenn I love it!
Met lots of old and new friends both OBC and Net54 then pulled the trigger on some kind of game card featuring the Adams kids Pugsley and Wednesday it just drew me in for three dollars lol!
Finished a bunch of sets today '61 Nu Card Scoops baseball, 1959 Topps Wacky Plaks, 1966 "007", 1967 Topps Maya, 1971 Fleer Drag Champs, 1972 Donruss Choppers and Hot Bikes, and brought several sets down to one or two. I did buy a nice stack of original 1969 Donruss Odd Rods happy to get those.
Eleven hits total now 1934 Diamond Stars baseball and 23 hits 1933 Goudey baseball really gaining some ground on these sets.
Also finished 1953 Topps World on Wheels with two low grade high numbers which are not seen much, one dealer had three high numbers and I needed two. I nicknamed this dealer "half price Harry" cause I would request a price half of what was listed on his already discounted prices and my technique worked most of the time.
As you can see plenty of non sports cards here on the show floor. No gripes from me at all I think the show has been solid. I did start to hear the roar of the crowd over at the box breaks or pack wars area but although it's not my thing plenty of collectors like this fine by me.
I need one card to complete 1966 Philadelphia Green Beret set but bought an unopened wax pack for $10 gonna open that baby up one in sixty-six chance I pull the card I need, don't worry I won't attempt the Gum.
I cancelled on the trip to downtown and had a nice dinner across the street with Taylor, Bob, and Spike with a Van Halen cover band performing on the green they are called Atomic Punk 23 years a cover band? Stopped at Walgreens Bob/Cigs Spike/Pepsi Taylor/nothing Me/Haagen-Dazs I win that version of pack wars!
Exhausted and ready to sleep its 11:18 PM. Got to be ready for tomorrow!
Larry



Sent from my iPhone

Great update Larry, thank you for sharing.

[Piratedogcardshows]

The Chicago National is the nicest show I have been to. This is my 3rd NSCC and by far the most productive for my collection. I arrived at the GA opening at 10 am. With having such a small focus I was able to check all the tables for a initial inventory of T cards in about 3 hours. About two hours in a think I was struck with card blindness and it became a little overwhelming just the sheer size of the place. I will say it is a T206 collectors dream come true. Some for fair prices, some for card show prices.I saw a lot of rare back T206. Many from just one dealer. I met for the first time and also reconnected with a few members. I have to admit its good seeing people after years of digital communication.

As far as my purchasing went I finally broke my streak of maybe 5-6 shows without a Red Border pickup. Happy to add a Series 8 Pepe from Ed Hans for a fair price. It will fit nicely in my low grade Series set. I have a nice upgrade reserved from MPeich and have my eyes on a couple N172 for my two player runs. Sadly I didnt come across a single T209-2. Those as well as new to the market T210's are getting harder to come by. All in all a outstanding show and im looking forward to day two as well as the Net54 shindig!

[Leon]

So far I have bought a nice orange borders Eddie Collins and a couple nice T205 commons for my set. Also, on the sales side someone wanted my 1860 ambrotype and snapped it up before the show opened the first day. I also sold my Goudey Ruth to a board member and the tintype of the game in action. That person who bought the Ambrotype wanted it too. Just as in selling my initial collection I always think the chase is, actually, most of the fun. Now I will have my sights on another Goudey Ruth. And I have seen at least one coming to auction I have an interest in......and later tonight I am looking forward to another great Net54baseball banquet. Hope to see all who can make it.

And a shout out to Lucky Larry who may be the nicest person in the hobby. And also to Brian Drent at Mile High Card Co for allowing me to have a case at his tables. Heck, I might think about this as a strategy going forward....( a case instead of fully setting up)

[MW1]

Originally Posted by wdwfan

When we were leaving Disney World in February coming home, my backpack set off the TSA machines. I had a souvenir baseball in it. They opened it and ran the baseball through the machine. They said they had to do so because it's hollow inside and people could hide things in the baseball. I was like really? People will actually do that?

Once they swabbed and scanned it, it came back clear and I was allowed to go on my way. But they patted me down and acted like I was up to something bad before I was eventually cleared. I was pretty upset.

That was a pretty stupid statement by TSA but is not atypical of their modus operandi. Baseballs (regulation ones, anyhow), have a cork center that is surrounded by layers of yarn and rubber. They are not "hollow inside." If they were, they would permanently deform when hit with any type of substantial force.