Valley Forge Philly Show....Dec 4-6th....check it out

[Jewish-collector]

I agree with Dan. It used to be the very best show outside of the National. But, it has gone downhill over the years. I don't know if it's because it moved from Ft. Washington temporarily to Reading and now permanently to Valley Forge or because they changed promoters. In any case, it definately doesn't have the vintage material it used to have during the Ft. Washington years. Plus, the new promoters are bring in more autograph guests, so it seems to looking more like an autograph show. It will be interesting how today (Sat) turns out, being the threat of bad weather.

[barrysloate]

Oh no...another "definately".

[felada]

this show was a complete waste. Same over priced cards that are BIN on ebay. Does anyone know why TIK was not there?

[kkkkandp]

Even after Phil's and Scott's less than glowing reviews I was still on the fence about going today, but a couple of last-minute things popped up and prevented me.

Now after reading David's comment, I'm glad I stayed home.

Sad. It used to be one of the best.

[barrysloate]

Shows are losing more and more of their relevance with each passing year. An era is ending.

[Bobsbats]

My father and I have attended this show since the mid 80's and it breaks my heart to say that this show has gone down hill since the show left Ft. Washington. Years ago, this show was a "National" twice a year. Every dealer that was worth their salt was at the Willow Grove/Ft.Washington show, now they choose not to attend. Then they extended the show to four shows a year. In years past, the December show has always had the worst turnout of the four shows, but I agree with some of the previous statements, there was no traffic.
We did however get a chance to meet Leon and Ted Z. which was the highlight of our show....well that and seeing Two Delahanty cabinets.

[JamesGallo]

Originally Posted by Bobsbats

My father and I have attended this show since the mid 80's and it breaks my heart to say that this show has gone down hill since the show left Ft. Washington. Years ago, this show was a "National" twice a year. Every dealer that was worth their salt was at the Willow Grove/Ft.Washington show, now they choose not to attend. Then they extended the show to four shows a year. In years past, the December show has always had the worst turnout of the four shows, but I agree with some of the previous statements, there was no traffic.
We did however get a chance to meet Leon and Ted Z. which was the highlight of our show....well that and seeing Two Delahanty cabinets.

Bob

Did you see those at the booth while Leon was looking at them. That young loooking kid behind the table was me :-).

I think that a lot of the vintage stuff just goes to aucitons now and dealers just don't know how to price stuff. I would gladly work with people on prices but I hardly had anyone ask about anything and I have some nice Cracker Jacks, t206 and strip cards.

This show seemed more crowed then the Sept show and the guys next to me were doing ok. I ended up piccking up a couple odd cards today but nothing exciting. Those cabinets were pretty sweet and the T5 he had was nice too.

James G

[Bobsbats]

James,

I apologize I didnt introduce myself......The guy had brand new crap and then pulls out two Delahanty's that made heart skip a beat. Was he trying to sell them? If so, what was he asking? Next time I will introduce myself. I hope all of the dealers do great, it will keep them coming to the show.

[danc]

I went on Friday and Saturday and shows exist to satisfy those who want to meet with actual human beings. They are eBay stores, but in person. Actual names replace ID's. Auction houses show up to promote the items that end in a week and dealers are annoyed becauase they can't sell anything, but the prices are part of the issue. I picked up some raw cards for a set, but one card I fancied from one dealer (a stubborn "e") created for me some sticker shock as his "Good" was priced as if it was "EX-MT". That dealer said it was a "weak show". Duh! The traffic was VERY POOR and I find it hard to believe that this show can survive "as is". Friday was very poorly attended, but people flocked on Saturday to meet up with Pete Rose and Mike Schmidt. Overall, I had a great time catching up with dealer and customer friends and gave me the opportunity to pick up a few cards for the collection.

DanC

[ValKehl]

I drove, accompanied by another local collector, 3 hours each way thru rain and snow from No. Va. to attend the Phily Show on Saturday. And, I was glad I went, as I was able to obtain some cards for my type collection (see pics on December pickup thread). Granted, the current Phily Shows are mere shadows of the incredible Willow Grove & Ft. Washington Shows, which I long for as much as anyone else who ever attended them. But, other than the Chantilly, Va. shows, which are are notch or two below the Phily Shows with respect to having vintage material, there aren't any decent shows within a reasonable drive from my house to attend. And, despite all the vintage material now available online (auctions, eBay, Net54 BST, etc.), nothing excites me more than seeing vintage cards & memorabilia in person! I can understand where those who have world class collections (think Leon, whom I truly enjoyed meeting and chatting with ) might have been disappointed with the Phily Show, but such is not me. And, I enjoy seeing the choice items the auction houses bring to these shows; seeing the 1921 Baltimore Tip Top cards, for example, live and in person was a thrill for me, as I may never again see any of these cards live and in person again in my lifetime. So, I conclude by saying, long live the Phily Show, even in its diminished state!!

[tinkereversandme]

I made the three hour trek with a fellow collector for Saturday as he needed Mike Schmidt and was willing to pony up for a pair of tickets that cost him like $140. I am the guy who goes through binders and collect cards mostly on a budget.

I go to...6-7 shows a year (Chantilly as well) and I will admit that I am never disappointed as the appeal of these shows are the human beings. People I never met before are happy to talk about their collections and what they achieve and hope to achieve.

Shows will never be like what they once were, but it's extinction would be a sad chapter in the hobby, as already out of spite, I refuse to recognize the existence of a periodical I can spend a lazy Sunday shuffling through.

Regards,

Larry

[Jewish-collector]

I believe the focus in Hunt's opinion as the new promoter is to make it more of an autograph show. The show is becoming more like the Chantilly show. I remember the days when there was so much excitement waiting in a long line on the Friday afternoon to get in. Sadly, those days are long gone.

[danc]

I don't think it's so much about an autograph show since there are usually only a handful of guests over the weekend but the guests perhaps bring in people that wouldn't ordinarily go to the show. In March, when I last went, they had Mays, Robinson and McCovey on Saturday and the show was fairly well attended while the collectors stayed away from the autograph guests because of the unrealistic prices.

The old days were well attended because of the excitement over new current products. The Internet world has changed everything. Rarely will you go to a show like this and see something you haven't seen in a printed catalog before and if it is offered for sale, would you tackle that price? Especially since every dealer there has an "exit strategy" now, that they didn't before.

You used to be able to make a wild offer on a Sunday and maybe get a deal, but today, with eBay and auction houses, you can get that price down the road or even almost immediately with eBay. Shows are "In Person Buy It Nows" and Auction Previews. In saying all of the above, I still enjoy going and talking to dealers, sellers and friends.

DanC