Any National Updates?

[tazdmb]

Didn’t go this year, but was told there was not much of vintage autographs, besides the usuals (Cobb, Ruth, Jackie). Most stuff was consigned to various auction houses.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

It's been that way for I don't know how many Nationals. After Cleveland in 2018, I threw in the towel.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Thinking more about it, the last really good National for buying autographs was 15 years ago. That was only due to one longtime collector setting up a booth and divesting. Anything I've managed to purchase at subsequent shows was of much lesser note. By 2018, the continual feeling that my travel expenses weren't justified nagged at me enough to say no more.

[egri]

Good to know; I'm glad to know all this before I go through the hassle of going to the National. I might still make it to one, but I'll adjust my expectations.

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by egri

Good to know; I'm glad to know all this before I go through the hassle of going to the National. I might still make it to one, but I'll adjust my expectations.

You won't know what is there until you go. Why take the advice of a PAM (pisser and moaner) who has not attended since 2018. There were quite a few autographs there not just in auction previews. I was privy to an extremely large and significant transaction related to pre-WWII signatures. The purchaser told me because they trust me, but will not publicize it and neither will I. I also travelled from Virginia with very little expectations of finding signatures I could use. Other than paying to get a few items signed by one of the athletes my total autograph expenditure was $15 for 4 signed index cards and two signed picture postcards. I will drive to Chicago next year and visit antique malls along the way. Last year I found a certificate signed by Morgan Bulkeley, first president of the National League and Hall of Famer in one of those antique malls. I enjoy flying, but that made the drive worth it.

[egri]

Originally Posted by Michael B

You won't know what is there until you go. Why take the advice of a PAM (pisser and moaner) who has not attended since 2018.

Fair point.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Yeah, I was of the "You won't know what is there until you go" camp. I kept going, and going...and nothing. For years. Other people I know shared the same experience. Mind you, this is strictly regarding autographs; I wasn't there for anything else.

I still have many colleagues who are forced to attend for the sake of business. They've continued to say the same thing as I have in their annual play-by-plays of the event. The good autographed material goes to the auction houses. The majority of this stuff is rehashed and familiar to anybody who has been collecting for more than a few years.

Don't get me wrong, there will come a show sometime in the future that will be great. That's just the law of averages coming into play. I'll surely regret not attending THAT show, but not knowing when it will happen, combined with all the ones where nothing happens except a lighter wallet, makes staying at home a much more desirable option.

Many people love the social aspect of the show. If I want to visit with any hobby friends or customers, I'll take a road trip and go see them. Much more comfortable and relaxed.

The money I wasted has earned me the right to piss and moan.

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by Michael B

Other than paying to get a few items signed by one of the athletes my total autograph expenditure was $15 for 4 signed index cards and two signed picture postcards.

Sounds to me like the "pisser and moaner" is quite correct. (BTW, if he is who I think he is, he's forgotten more about vintage autographs than you'll ever know. Be a bit more careful before you resort to insults.)

[Republicaninmass]

But an amazing t206 collections walked in....and happened to just know to go to goldin for a live reveal. Not to mention all the star cards grouped sorted by order, there are more gems to uncover like doyle and wagner buried in the boxes.....right

It's become a circus, bit it's fun to watch! Que footage of guy pulling the 55 bowman mantle

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

Sounds to me like the "pisser and moaner" is quite correct. (BTW, if he is who I think he is, he's forgotten more about vintage autographs than you'll ever know. Be a bit more careful before you resort to insults.)

You need to get off your high horse and perhaps bone up on reading comprehension. I was not commenting on his knowledge of signatures but rather the snarky comment which would discourage others from attending. Neither he, nor I, nor you know what the OP's level of collecting or price tolerance is. Only he can make that determination. It is fine that the commenter chooses not to attend any more. That is his choice.

It serves no purpose to make comments that would cause someone to question whether they should attend at all. His attending is a much more accurate litmus test than any comments on this board. My comment "You won't know what is there until you go." is much more appropriate. It does not matter what I bought or the price I paid. I enjoyed the show. I found items I wanted AND I will make a very good profit on what I bought and what I paid to have signed. Last year I spent under $300 in Chicago and quadrupled that in the sales of the items. That excludes the Morgan Bulkeley which I will sell for 6-7 times what I paid for it.

Also, you do not know me, how long I have been collecting or what knowledge I have. YOU should be a little more careful before you resort to insults, your words not mine!