2018 Cleveland National Report - Sneak Peak, Round 2 and Round 3 is LIVE

[calvindog]

I was there from 10-7 yesterday. The Cleveland floor/food/spacing is significantly better than Chicago and Baltimore Nationals. While the IX Center is not attached to the airport or any hotel, it's five mins away and not a problem to get back and forth. I'd pick Cleveland ahead of the other cities just for the actual floor walking experience. The hotels are dumps but adequate if you're mostly there to see cards. Nearby restaurants are fine+ for dinner.

I didn't see much extraordinarily different material than what I'm used to from other Nationals but pretty much you can find something you want or need.

Just picked up a couple of items: a Seattle Pilots ashtray which I'm giddy about and this Hoss Radbourn Red Stockings Cigar card from Glen Mechanick who, year in and out, has the most interesting cards/material on the floor and is a pleasure to speak to and deal with (a pearl before swine in the dealer pool).

Spent some time with Brian Dwyer of REA who is a serious, hard-working dude. Head and shoulders ahead of what you'd expect from an auction house owner these days, Joe T and Dan McKee who are always great to see, and Deplorable Dewolf who took me out for some great dinners. I'm looking forward to next year in Chicago.

[insidethewrapper]

Do you have to be a dealer to set up at the National or can a collector set up and sell parts of their collection ?

[packs]

What do you mean? If you want table space you'd have to pay for it. If you see someone at a table advertising that they're buying, you're free to see if you can make a sale.

[Piratedogcardshows]

I agree with bounce. I have been a fan of Tim's card artwork from afar and after seeing him working on a sweet Thome for myself I have to say im very impressed. I will have to sacrifice some extra cards one day and purchase one of those masterpieces. Any guess who the subject/card would be??

[bobbyw8469]

Cool writeup. I laughed out loud about the dealer who thought he had gold in his John Stockton card.

[h2oya311]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Just picked up a couple of items: a Seattle Pilots ashtray which I'm giddy about and this Hoss Radbourn Red Stockings Cigar card from Glen Mechanick who, year in and out, has the most interesting cards/material on the floor and is a pleasure to speak to and deal with (a pearl before swine in the dealer pool).

Delicious card! Great pick-up on that Red Stockings Cigar Radbourn!

[that T206 Guy]

I am excited.

Going today.

Will be my First Time at the National Show

[RedsFan1941]

don’t be shy about asking plenty of questions.

[rhettyeakley]

Originally Posted by calvindog

I was there from 10-7 yesterday. The Cleveland floor/food/spacing is significantly better than Chicago and Baltimore Nationals. While the IX Center is not attached to the airport or any hotel, it's five mins away and not a problem to get back and forth. I'd pick Cleveland ahead of the other cities just for the actual floor walking experience. The hotels are dumps but adequate if you're mostly there to see cards. Nearby restaurants are fine+ for dinner.

I didn't see much extraordinarily different material than what I'm used to from other Nationals but pretty much you can find something you want or need.

Just picked up a couple of items: a Seattle Pilots ashtray which I'm giddy about and this Hoss Radbourn Red Stockings Cigar card from Glen Mechanick who, year in and out, has the most interesting cards/material on the floor and is a pleasure to speak to and deal with (a pearl before swine in the dealer pool).

Spent some time with Brian Dwyer of REA who is a serious, hard-working dude. Head and shoulders ahead of what you'd expect from an auction house owner these days, Joe T and Dan McKee who are always great to see, and Deplorable Dewolf who took me out for some great dinners. I'm looking forward to next year in Chicago.

Jeff sorry I missed you at the show. If you were coming back stop by 2255.

[bbcard1]

I picked the all star game over the national this year and have no regrets. I have heard the prices being asked are...shall we say...looking to achieve a new watermark. Did you find that?

[kailes2872]

Originally Posted by bbcard1

I picked the all star game over the national this year and have no regrets. I have heard the prices being asked are...shall we say...looking to achieve a new watermark. Did you find that?

Todd,
The observation that I made on pricing was that it was about 2 grades off of VCP. for example, a PSA 4 Mantle would have the price of PSA 6 VCP. If you found it one grade off that was a nice starting point to get closer.

One guy had a booth with a big sign that says prices are firm. I don't care about your Ebay fees. Soooo... not a lot of camaraderie and negotiation going on at that table.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by rhettyeakley

Jeff sorry I missed you at the show. If you were coming back stop by 2255.

Sorry I missed you as well. Next year for sure.

[rainier2004]

Spent two days the show, thought it was great. Looked like lots of people, seems like attendance has been on the rise and will continue that way.
My observations were:
1. More FB and BB than I remember, I don't collect either but thought it was more prevalent than I have ever seen.
2. Less "crap" and non-card displays. I remember beanie babies and all sorts of odds and ends being sold at the show, seems to be less of that. Also, I noticed less memorabilia and art being sold. This show seems to have piles of cards and photos.
3. Tons or 50s and 60s per norm.
4. I thought there were some good deals to be had and did p/u a couple cards that are far from rare but was happy with my buys.
5. Lots of excitement among collectors.

[KMayUSA6060]

Originally Posted by rainier2004

Spent two days the show, thought it was great. Looked like lots of people, seems like attendance has been on the rise and will continue that way.
My observations were:
1. More FB and BB than I remember, I don't collect either but thought it was more prevalent than I have ever seen.
2. Less "crap" and non-card displays. I remember beanie babies and all sorts of odds and ends being sold at the show, seems to be less of that. Also, I noticed less memorabilia and art being sold. This show seems to have piles of cards and photos.
3. Tons or 50s and 60s per norm.
4. I thought there were some good deals to be had and did p/u a couple cards that are far from rare but was happy with my buys.
5. Lots of excitement among collectors.

I agree with the above bold. I had a blast yesterday, and came away with a helluva haul of Pre-War. A couple of notes I would like to add regarding the show...

1. Few dealers are as professional, genuine, and pleasant to speak with than Chris Bland and Michael Piech. I was surprised to see them both in the same space, and really enjoyed my conversations with them. There are lots of great dealers out there, but few compare to those two, and many dealers would do well to be more genuine and engaging with their customers. Also, Just Collect was TERRIFIC as well!

2. I can't believe TriStar or whoever runs the show is charging $10 to park PER DAY. I'm very jaded by that money gouging scheme, especially since the car show (held at the IX Center around March) is free parking. That's $10 yesterday that didn't go to dealers, and $10 on Saturday (if I choose to go now) that won't go to dealers. Multiply that by the thousands of people that will attend, and that's a lot of money not going to the dealers. It is a bit of a turnoff.

3. I really, really like this event in Cleveland (it has nothing to do with me living 45-50 minutes away ). The layout is terrific, very easy to navigate, and well organized. The only suggestion I would have is better markings on dealers' booths for their booth number.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by KMayUSA6060

The only suggestion I would have is better markings on dealers' booths for their booth number.

Agreed, this would help a lot.

[buymycards]

Originally Posted by KMayUSA6060

I agree with the above bold. I had a blast yesterday, and came away with a helluva haul of Pre-War. A couple of notes I would like to add regarding the show...



2. I can't believe TriStar or whoever runs the show is charging $10 to park PER DAY. I'm very jaded by that money gouging scheme, especially since the car show (held at the IX Center around March) is free parking. That's $10 yesterday that didn't go to dealers, and $10 on Saturday (if I choose to go now) that won't go to dealers. Multiply that by the thousands of people that will attend, and that's a lot of money not going to the dealers. It is a bit of a turnoff.

If I remember correctly, parking at the Donald Stephens Center at the Chicago National was $20 per day.

I regret missing the National in Cleveland. I love going to the National, and my wife and I are already making plans to attend next years National in Chicago.

Rick

[KMayUSA6060]

Originally Posted by buymycards

If I remember correctly, parking at the Donald Stephens Center at the Chicago National was $20 per day.

I regret missing the National in Cleveland. I love going to the National, and my wife and I are already making plans to attend next years National in Chicago.

Rick

Does the Donald Stephens Center charge for every event?

[Promethius88]

Originally Posted by buymycards

If I remember correctly, parking at the Donald Stephens Center at the Chicago National was $20 per day.

I regret missing the National in Cleveland. I love going to the National, and my wife and I are already making plans to attend next years National in Chicago.

Rick

I haven't been to a National in years and all the pictures and posts have got me excited about next year. Started looking at hotels already and hoping that the Hyatt across the street has free parking. Don't mind spending a little extra for the convenience if I get free parking!

[Bugsy]

Originally Posted by calvindog

I was there from 10-7 yesterday. The Cleveland floor/food/spacing is significantly better than Chicago and Baltimore Nationals. While the IX Center is not attached to the airport or any hotel, it's five mins away and not a problem to get back and forth. I'd pick Cleveland ahead of the other cities just for the actual floor walking experience. The hotels are dumps but adequate if you're mostly there to see cards. Nearby restaurants are fine+ for dinner.

I didn't see much extraordinarily different material than what I'm used to from other Nationals but pretty much you can find something you want or need.

Just picked up a couple of items: a Seattle Pilots ashtray which I'm giddy about and this Hoss Radbourn Red Stockings Cigar card from Glen Mechanick who, year in and out, has the most interesting cards/material on the floor and is a pleasure to speak to and deal with (a pearl before swine in the dealer pool).

Spent some time with Brian Dwyer of REA who is a serious, hard-working dude. Head and shoulders ahead of what you'd expect from an auction house owner these days, Joe T and Dan McKee who are always great to see, and Deplorable Dewolf who took me out for some great dinners. I'm looking forward to next year in Chicago.

Fantastic pick-up!

Does anyone have contact info for Glen Mechanick? I tried emailing him about a few trade cards several months ago and never heard from him. I want to make sure I have the right email address.

Thanks!

Chris

[ullmandds]

Mechani5@aol.com...im sitting next to glen right now!!

[Bugsy]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

Mechani5@aol.com...im sitting next to glen right now!!

Thanks Pete!!!

[kailes2872]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

Mechani5@aol.com...im sitting next to glen right now!!

There were two guys at that table (1669 if I recall). An older gentleman and a guy in a ponytail (I think). I hovered around the table hoping to say hello but I didn't recognize the company name on the sign and thought I might have had the wrong table. Bummer as I was hoping to meet you guys.

[glynparson]

Originally Posted by kailes2872

There were two guys at that table (1669 if I recall). An older gentleman and a guy in a ponytail (I think). I hovered around the table hoping to say hello but I didn't recognize the company name on the sign and thought I might have had the wrong table. Bummer as I was hoping to meet you guys.

That’s my table. I’m the guy with a ponytail and my dad is the old guy.

[kailes2872]

Originally Posted by glynparson

That’s my table. I’m the guy with a ponytail and my dad is the old guy.

Bummer I made the mistake of looking for a guy that looked like the Dos Equis guy (old habits die hard... I am still convinced that Leon looks just like Babe Ruth in the 144 card.

I was wearing a red National League batting practice jersey from the all-star game. My ears aren’t quite as big as Mossi’s in the picture.

[glynparson]

Originally Posted by kailes2872

Bummer I made the mistake of looking for a guy that looked like the Dos Equis guy (old habits die hard... I am still convinced that Leon looks just like Babe Ruth in the 144 card.

I was wearing a red National League batting practice jersey from the all-star game. My ears aren’t quite as big as Mossi’s in the picture.

Lol. Sorry we didn’t get to meet. Hope you enjoyed the show.