Reflections on 30 years of the Philly Show

[tedzan]

"Wow, what dealer list with the Barnings, Lipset, Lerner and Halls Nostalgia...."

It certainly sounds like a "Who's Who" list in the hobby, back in the 1970's and 1980's.

The hobby was very new in 1981, and if I were to detail all the various "walk-ins" that we saw (and acquired), it would take 100's
of posts on this thread.
Dan, I am sure you'll recall this one. A guy comes in with a brown bag full of sports cards (1950 - 1959). I looked at them, there
were several 100's of Bowman and Topps BB & FB cards. I gave him and offer and told him to walk around and get the "best offer"
for them. Four hours later, he returned to our table and I bought them.

I kept the BB cards and Dan took the FB cards. Back then FB cards were not selling at equivalent prices with BB cards. Danny
stashed away the FB cards for several years; and, when FB cards began to increase in value, Dan started selling these FB cards.
He did better than I did with the BB cards. He still gloats about this, when he feels in the mood to "rub it in" to me.


TED Z

[tedzan]

I just read your offer in your post #38......
"I would also like to extend an invitation to Ted Z to come out of retirement, especially if he would be so kind as to accept the offer
of a free booth at Oaks."

I have already signed up for your April 1911 show in Oaks, PA. Levi B. has my contract. I signed up for an "L" shaped (corner) booth.

Please email me directly regarding your offer at........
tedzan11@comcast.net


And please, no PM's.

Thanks much,

TED Z

[oaks1912]

Ted....I know its hard to end a tradition, but as you & I have discussed many times , there have been many changes since we met at Willow Grove in the early 80's, and not all of them are positive...... As you recall I stopped coming East after the first Fort Washington show in the early 90's, when the first round of changes were happening..... I know that it wasn't the facility (GW Lodge), as I could write a book on my experiences with the facility , but something about the cramped conditions gave the place a sense of excitement, unless of course you were located on the aisle with Rich Altman & Lou Avon on either side of you... The Chilean miners are about the only ones who could relate to you in that case..... The roof of the place had 'old swiss cheese' shingles, and if you didn't have a leak over your table, the smell of musty, heavily trafficked carpet competed with the greasy, St Patrick's Day style (Green) hot dogs that stayed on the grill until they sold, or disintegrated, whichever came first..... Of course, if I could go to a show like those great ones ('82-'86) and pick up what I did buy in the day, the smell of moldy carpet, the teacup saucer mattresses, the mystery meat covered with lumpy gray gravy served at Martha's Restaurant (until the health department shut it down), the irregular hot water, or running water at all, nor the non insulated rooms without heat for the December and March show.... none of these.... would stand in my way from going back there again, although this time I'd be better prepared with a fully insulated haz-mat suit, and a box of granola bars to cover me for a few days..... Great to hear that you're doing the 'new' show, and don't be surprised if you see someone from 3000 miles away pop in...

[barrysloate]

I think Ted means April 2011, not 1911.

[HRBAKER]

This is a great thread!
Thanks for the stories guys!

Jeff

[tedzan]

"April 1911"......
was that a slip of my finger on the keyboard, or was it a Freudian slip ?

You didn't know that built in my mind is a "Time Machine". Consider this....if we could go back to the Spring of 1911,
and know what we know now....we would be opening up LENOX and UZIT cigarette packs and cornering the market
on the last run of T206 cards.

Just think how many Cobb (bat off shoulder) cards you would find ? Or, Lajoie (batting) cards you could hoard away ?






No, that wasn't a "typo", Barry.....I was dreaming away.


Best regards ole friend,

TED Z

[Rich Klein]

The "Boston Sea Party" which was just down the road from the GW. An all you can eat seafood buffet -- Leon, you would have LOVED that place, and they even had one in Houston -- so you might have been in one before you ventured up to the DFW area

Rich

[Rich Klein]

One of my favorite memories was going to dinner with Frank Barning, the late Rich Hawksley, and a few other hobby heavyweights. We went to a diner-like element for dinner with an 20 page menu so I figured out what I wanted and gave a specific order -- Rich H was so tired from the show's hours, etc that all he told the waitress was -- whatever he (me) just ordered -- was fine for his order as well

[mets41]

Originally Posted by tedzan

"Wow, what dealer list with the Barnings, Lipset, Lerner and Halls Nostalgia...."

It certainly sounds like a "Who's Who" list in the hobby, back in the 1970's and 1980's.

The hobby was very new in 1981, and if I were to detail all the various "walk-ins" that we saw (and acquired), it would take 100's
of posts on this thread.
Dan, I am sure you'll recall this one. A guy comes in with a brown bag full of sports cards (1950 - 1959). I looked at them, there
were several 100's of Bowman and Topps BB & FB cards. I gave him and offer and told him to walk around and get the "best offer"
for them. Four hours later, he returned to our table and I bought them.

I kept the BB cards and Dan took the FB cards. Back then FB cards were not selling at equivalent prices with BB cards. Danny
stashed away the FB cards for several years; and, when FB cards began to increase in value, Dan started selling these FB cards.
He did better than I did with the BB cards. He still gloats about this, when he feels in the mood to "rub it in" to me.


TED Z

I remember this well. By the way, Ted, thanks for those football cards (1958 & 60 sets--10 cards short of the 2 complete sets). You're ok!

[bbcard1]

I am sure most people will not consider the failed CSA venture a Philly show, but I went to two, sold a bunch of stuff, and made some big trades with Ted. Will probably always regret trading the AB Gandil to him, but I know it make it to a nice home and I am proud to have contributed a card to Teds collection as he contributed quite a few to mine.

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by bbcard1

I am sure most people will not consider the failed CSA venture a Philly show, but I went to two, sold a bunch of stuff, and made some big trades with Ted. Will probably always regret trading the AB Gandil to him, but I know it make it to a nice home and I am proud to have contributed a card to Teds collection as he contributed quite a few to mine.

Hey TODD

We had a great time at those two Oaks (PA) shows....talkin' baseball, and doing two monster trades to help you complete your "Monster" set.
I recall there were about 150 - T206's that I traded you, including Dahlen (Brooklyn). I will certainly miss that show.

Incidently, that's a really neat site you have there regarding your 1941 Double Play cards.

Best wishes good buddy,

TED Z

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by mets41

I remember this well. By the way, Ted, thanks for those football cards (1958 & 60 sets--10 cards short of the 2 complete sets). You're ok!

Great recollection, Dan.

Please email me.


TED Z

[tedzan]

Hey guys,

How many of you set-up or attended the Ocean City Philly shows back in the 1980's (or early 1990's) ?

Although it was a smaller show, it featured many of the quality dealers that set-up at the Willow Grove show.

Furthermore, we were treated to a great Classic Car show that weekend. Model "A" Ford's to 1970's "heavy metal"
machines paraded on Ocean City's huge boardwalk.

I would pack my goodies into my 1960 T-Bird and drive to Ocean City for this affair and for setting-up at the show.

Unfortunately, BB card shows are gradually vanishing into the sunset. But, it's always fun to reminisce. So, tell us
some more of your Philly show experiences.





TED Z

[glynparson]

I have the admittance tickets to the second and third Epscc shows at spring garden college and the 4th show which was the first at the old George Washington. I have them currently in hand just need to scan at work tomorrow. I was lucky enough to have set up at a couple of those ocean city shows as well as the last 2 shows at George Washington, I was 18-19 at the time. Loved it back then loved it at the fort and when it came to my hometown of Reading. I hate it at valley forge and am not to fond of the new owner.