The Trader Speaks - 1st issue Nov 1968

[Kalineman]

Thanks, Rob. Those were the days when we went to shows with want lists and did a huge amount of trading. Truth be told, that collecting world still exists today - we just don't hear as much about it. We didn't use the word 'networking' in the early days of shows, but at our tables we talked with the likes of John Stommen for hours on end, traded cards and ended up having dinner together. Thanks to Leon for having a regular hobby 'place' to go every day.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Kalineman

Thanks, Rob. Those were the days when we went to shows with want lists and did a huge amount of trading. Truth be told, that collecting world still exists today - we just don't hear as much about it. We didn't use the word 'networking' in the early days of shows, but at our tables we talked with the likes of John Stommen for hours on end, traded cards and ended up having dinner together. Thanks to Leon for having a regular hobby 'place' to go every day.

Nick, you are very welcome. It's always an honor and priviledge when I get to hang around with hobby veterans. I am a very lucky person in that I have only been collecting around 15 yrs (again since adulthood) and have been fortunate to meet and converse with some of the great collectors of yesteryear. I must have spent at least 2 hours speaking with John Rumeriez at the National as I hadn't seen him in a few years. And then a few steps over I saw my pal Kit Young whom I have a ton of respect for. We had a nice long chat. I consider him to be a wonderful person, not perfect as no one is, but a truly wonderful guy. It's a great hobby and one of the main reasons is the people in it. Heck, setting up with Richard Masson and my partner, Scott...with ole Jay Miller hanging around, isn't all bad either. The "people" in the hobby are one of my great enjoyments. take care now (sorry to ramble a little)

[E93]

Jay,
Thanks for posting that.

Nick,
Thank you for sharing some of your experience here. I hope you do more so.
JimB

[tbob]

If these guys were alive today (I know Lionel still is) and posted on this board, they would be probably be slammed by a few for "swimming in the sea of mediocrity" in their collections.
Thanks so much for posting TTS and other items which show what the hobby was, and to an extent, is still all about.
I've wondered before if the hobby was going to die out when the pre-war collectors got old and died off or lost interest, but then I found this and the predecessor Full Count board and was encouraged to see so many young collectors who love the history and tradition of baseball and the cards.
Nice thread Leon

[Leon]

Originally Posted by tbob

If these guys were alive today (I know Lionel still is) and posted on this board, they would be probably be slammed by a few for "swimming in the sea of mediocrity" in their collections.
Thanks so much for posting TTS and other items which show what the hobby was, and to an extent, is still all about.
I've wondered before if the hobby was going to die out when the pre-war collectors got old and died off or lost interest, but then I found this and the predecessor Full Count board and was encouraged to see so many young collectors who love the history and tradition of baseball and the cards.
Nice thread Leon

Hey Bob
We have the same sentiments. One small unfortunate clarification is that Lionel passed away about a year or so ago....regards

[tbob]

Originally Posted by Leon

Hey Bob
We have the same sentiments. One small unfortunate clarification is that Lionel passed away about a year or so ago....regards

Hi leon
Lord, I didn't know about his passing. What a shame, I guess it occurred not too long after he sold off the last of his collection?

[chris6net]

How is Dan Dischley doing these days. I also rememember in the mid to late 70,s anticipating the next issue. I believe Dan worked in law enforcement for the same department that I currently work in. He was also a big part of our departments quarterly newsletter and Dan has an impeccable reputation within our department (Suffolk County Police) which is one of the top 15 largest departments in the U.S. I hope Dan is doing well. CN

[Tim Zwick]

This thread sure stirs up a lot of old memories for me also. Like Nick, I was a teenager in the early 70's growing up in Michigan and buying cards from Jim Elder, Gar Miller, Bruce Yeko, Woody Gelman, Merv Williams, etc. through the mail. I was also lucky enough to attend and set up at Detroit area shows starting in 1972/73. Meeting Ernie Harwell at my table during one of the old Troy Hilton shows and talking with him for quite some time about his collection and baseball was priceless (he even bought a couple of old scorecards.) It just couldn't get any better than that for a young country hick teenager. John Stommen was a great guy, friend and mentor of mine who along with Dan Dischley, Bob Jasperson, Irv Lerner & Charlie Brooks helped pave the way for the acceptance of collecting junkies like us and our addiction to these little pieces of cardboard with their various publications.

Leon brings up John Rumeriez. He always had tons of cards, knowledge and seemed to be set up at every show. He was a member of the legendary group (at least to me) of Detroit area hobby pioneers that included Frank Nagy, Dick Reuss, Ed Lotz, Ed Budnick, Jay Barry, Charlie Conlon, Lloyd Toerpe, The Dehem Bros. and many more. I know they all had an influence on my love of collecting and appreciate the fact that I was able to make their acquaintance and do some deals with most along the way.

Thanks Leon & crew for providing a landing pad for some of the hobby dinosaurs to frequent.