Views and observations from AC - share your experience at the National!

[Oscar_Stanage]

I thought this is the right thread to share my overall experience as a first timer...

First of all, the event is awesome.. well worth it and there is plenty of everything for everyone. I know many are annoyed the commercialization and crowds but that did not get in my way - it was a great venue to meet people, talk cards, and buy cards. I went Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

- Definitely smart to go the first day. It was the least frantic and got a chance to get a feel for the layout and note the tables I wanted to go back to. I bought a few cards on Day 1 as that was suggested as where to find the best deals... but I was happy with the supply all through Saturday.
- Definitely most productive early - I had early access so I found 930-1130 to be the best time to avoid crowds.
- Had a chance to sort through piles of T206 commons with my checklist, you just don't get to do that anywhere else. if you like to go through boxes of cards, you can lose track of time and find a lot of really good stuff.
- Autos: I got 5 autos over 2 days. The autograph process was time consuming, and the Saturday auto crowds were brutal - I probably would not do more than 1 or 2 in the future. That said, it was exciting to get up close with the players. And, you can even interact with the players you didn't pay to see. Emmitt Smith was 5 feet from me and he was at the tail end of his time with no line, and just sitting there, chatting it up with other fans... At one point, Allen Iverson, Chris Mullin, Ricky Henderson, Paul Pierce were all just a few feet from each other..
- Education: I talked to Al from LOTG for a while about some other tobacco sets, really nice guy and I learned a lot about M116s and Caramels. And spoke to a number of dealers/net54ers.... Just a lot of knowledge floating around, it is nice not to have to type questions.
- Tons and tons of cards - One table had 50-100 Mantles. Whatever you need, its there.

Maybe I will add some more later, but first, every thread needs some cards:

[AnkurJ]

Took my 9’year old. It was his and my first big show and was quite overwhelming. A lot to take in! He had fun but not that much for kids. He enjoyed meeting stars from the Sandlot, The Blind side and Archie Graham from Field of Dreams. He enjoyed talking to Patrick Renna.
His haul is pictured along with a Ruth replica ball.
His observations:
1. Babe Ruth signed a lot of stuff!
2. Babe Ruth cards aren’t as rare as I thought
3. How do people afford these prices?
4. Is there a place where we can play baseball?

I saw a comic dealer set up who I’ve known for years. My son was in a Yankee Jersey and he was gifted a Topps Sterling Reggie Jackson box. Seeing his eyes light up when he pulled a relic card was priceless! Thanks to Mike Carbonaro of Big Apple Conventions for making his day.

My observations (haven’t been buying the last two years)
1. Many prices have come down to earth. Jordan Rc’s, Jeter Rc’s especially
2. Decent number of Star Jordan and 86 Fleer
3. Jordan autograph prices seem very strong
4. It’s not easy for a kid to afford current packs with decent inserts
5. 52 Topps Mantle remains the king of baseball
6. Goudey Ruth prices have jumped the last 3-4 years
7. Ruth auto prices same as above

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by AnkurJ

My observations (haven’t been buying the last two years)
5. 52 Topps Mantle remains the king of baseball

Not the Wagner anymore? When did that happen?

[Republicaninmass]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

Not the Wagner anymore? When did that happen?

Too expensive, nobody wants them anymore

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

Too expensive, nobody wants them anymore

As Yogi would put it!

[clamendo]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

As Yogi would put it!

A Pokémon Illustrator card has surpassed the Wagner. LoL


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Seven]

Breaker/breaking culture was the only thing that left a poor taste in my mouth. The amount of people set up with cameras breaking to live audiences was absurd. This is a side of the hobby I'm not very familiar with, since I stay away from modern when it comes to collecting. The "Whatnot" stage treating youtubers and breakers as celebrities was mind boggling to me. Then again there are things that I don't understand about the hobby, this just happens to be one of them.

A steady supply of vintage was available. Many tables showed off new and shiny things as well. Did a ton of walking, was able to secure some fair prices and good deals. I've been to Atlantic City before, though that was before the pandemic. It felt very run down and dumpy, which I know is the regular for AC but even more so this time around. I am going to try to attend in Chicago, next year, but I do think that, that experience is my last time going to AC.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by clamendo

A Pokémon Illustrator card has surpassed the Wagner. LoL Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Let's try George Harrison: "All things must surpass, all things must pass away"