The 1st National Sports Collectors Convention

[Leon]

Not sure if I am going this year, still about 50/50, but with a call from my good friend Joe T (hey Joe) yesterday, it might have pushed it to 60/40 going....At any rate here is something out of the recent Leland's auction I thought others might enjoy seeing too. It is 12 total pages.















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[Griffins]

Very cool. I set up at that show and sold off my collection. It really wasn't much bigger than the Anaheim annual shows '73-'76, but had the "national" designation. Didn't take long to catch on.

[ecRich]

I had a table at the 1979 show. Same show the next year, but they called it the national. So I can almost say I had a table at the first national card show.

[Chris Counts]

I went to the Anaheim show in '74, and I believe it was advertised as the "West Coast" show. I still have a badge from it lying around somewhere. Two years later, I attended a show in Michigan I distinctly remember being called a "national show." I believe it was in Plymouth. I'll never forget walking up to the first booth and rifling through a shoebox of 1953 Bowman Hall of Famers in Ex-Mt. There were a stack of Mantles about two inches thick, and they were $11 each. If only I had a time machine ...

[trdcrdkid]

Originally Posted by Chris Counts

I went to the Anaheim show in '74, and I believe it was advertised as the "West Coast" show. I still have a badge from it lying around somewhere. Two years later, I attended a show in Michigan I distinctly remember being called a "national show." I believe it was in Plymouth.

Last night I was looking at an issue of The Sport Hobbyist from 1977 on which the cover was trumpeting the upcoming "national show", with a list of previous "national shows" that were really just various prominent regional shows, including the Detroit-area show that started in 1970. Charles Brooks, editor of The Sport Hobbyist, seemed to really want to promote the idea of a national convention over the years. In the August 1956 issue of The Sport Hobbyist and Journal, from which I posted Lionel Carter's article on T207s last night, Brooks (who was still in high school at the time) mentioned that plans for a national card convention had been postponed.

There were several prominent regional shows in the 70s that often attracted collectors from around the country -- the Detroit show, the Philly show, the West Coast show -- and for all I know some of them may have occasionally been called a "national" show. But the idea didn't really catch on or become explicit until the 1980 show in Anaheim, which helpfully came at the start of a big boom in card prices and hobby interest.

[ErikV]

Leon,

By displaying this piece you brought back a very fond memory for me. I attended
that show. I distinctly recall going on that Sunday, August 31, 1980. At the time I
was 12 years old. I attended the show with my brother and an older friend of ours
who drove us there.

Mostly what I remember was the assortment of memoribilia on display at the
various booths. There was one other thing I remember about that show too. My
brother and I split up and later met in front of one particular booth. It was the booth
of an older fellow by the name of Kovak. That old man was a grouch! He chased us
both off, something about not having lots of room for people to view his things if we
were loitering there. That show was 35+ years ago, I have no idea whatever happened
to that guy...

Anyways, thanks for posting this piece.

ErikV

[kmac32]

Neing a Californian, i wish they would hav another national here. The Chicago, cleveland, east coast with ignorning West Coast collectors is sad. Going to at
Atlantic City would be fun but from what I hear, watch yourself outside the venue as it is not safe. Socal would ne an awesome place for a National

[Iron Horse]

Wish we would get a National back here in CA again

[kmac32]

Originally Posted by Iron Horse

Wish we would get a National back here in CA again

Definitely

[midmo]

Does anyone have pictures from the 1980 show? I would love to see some if they're out there.

[curch]

Wow, that's awesome! Pretty sure I am going this year. 90/10

[trdcrdkid]

Originally Posted by midmo

Does anyone have pictures from the 1980 show? I would love to see some if they're out there.

Hobby publications would have had plenty of pictures, since they always had pictures from the major shows in those days. I know I have Sports Collectors' Digest from that time, but I think the box with the 1980 issues is buried and not easily accessible. I may have the relevant issue of Sports Collectors News, which also had lots of show pictures, but I would have to look. I know I have the October 1980 Trader Speaks, which might have pictures from the show, but they weren't as much into that sort of thing -- I'll have to check tonight.

[midmo]

Originally Posted by trdcrdkid

Hobby publications would have had plenty of pictures, since they always had pictures from the major shows in those days. I know I have Sports Collectors' Digest from that time, but I think the box with the 1980 issues is buried and not easily accessible. I may have the relevant issue of Sports Collectors News, which also had lots of show pictures, but I would have to look. I know I have the October 1980 Trader Speaks, which might have pictures from the show, but they weren't as much into that sort of thing -- I'll have to check tonight.

I just flipped through the Oct '80 Trader Speaks. No pics there. No worries, thanks!

[clydepepper]

Where's the National this year?

Now that I'm healthy again (relatively speaking), it is something I can finally consider.
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[trdcrdkid]

Originally Posted by midmo

I just flipped through the Oct '80 Trader Speaks. No pics there. No worries, thanks!

That was kind of a long shot anyway. I'll still check tonight and see what I can find that's more immediately accessible than SCD.

[midmo]

Originally Posted by clydepepper

Where's the National this year?

Atlantic City

http://nsccshow.com/

[Writehooks]

I made the trip from northern Alberta to L.A. to attend the first National and was very pleasantly surprised -- not only by the variety of cards and memorabilia, but by the courtesy and camaraderie. I was by myself, and it was my first trip to California, but the atmosphere couldn't have been friendlier. My first purchase was $200 for 50 different WFL and WHA media guides -- including Gretzky's debut appearance with the Indianapolis Racers (1978-79). I also picked up several Topps and OPC hockey sets, an on-site Ali-Frazier I program and the on-site program for Evel Knievel's attempted jump across the Snake River Canyon in '74. I've only attended the Anaheim shows since, but keep my fingers crossed that the National will come west again, sooner rather than later. I've always thought Seattle would be a great city for it.

[mrvster]

WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU ARE NOT GOING??????????????????


NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

it's my first national! I rarely go to anything, but this is it for me! my T206 printer's scrap collection("the circus") will be on display! I want you to see them first hand....I'm dying to meet you and the rest of the crew!

PLEASE GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!: )

I WILL BEG!

we are all very excited to meet.......AC is very cool, you will love it!! I promise.....

it's in my neighborhood( 1 hour away from home)......it's like Disney for adults

please please please go!!! I want to attent your dinner for the first time and meet you

[Mike (18colt)]

Anyone else notice on the workshop listing that one session discussed card restoration techniques? I found that a little odd.

[Leon]

Seeing the recent Mastro interview got me nostalgic...

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[jcmtiger]

Originally Posted by Chris Counts

I went to the Anaheim show in '74, and I believe it was advertised as the "West Coast" show. I still have a badge from it lying around somewhere. Two years later, I attended a show in Michigan I distinctly remember being called a "national show." I believe it was in Plymouth. I'll never forget walking up to the first booth and rifling through a shoebox of 1953 Bowman Hall of Famers in Ex-Mt. There were a stack of Mantles about two inches thick, and they were $11 each. If only I had a time machine ...

Yes, the Michigan shows were great. Thanks

[5-Tool Player]

Bring the National back to Anaheim, its been too long. We will bring the numbers (attendance) and with that we will bring the $$,

[GasHouseGang]

They've already decided we don't get to have it anymore. I think someone is just going to have to develop their own left coast national. I guess we can get all the dealers west of the Mississippi.

[todeen]

Biggest card show I've ever attended was Seattle's All Star Fanfest in 2001. Didn't even attend the games. News leaked it will return to Seattle in 2023. I'm already planning to attend. It will be awesome! I'd have to seriously consider not attending a Socal show, especially in San Diego. I could totally convince my wife to go with me if it was in San Diego.

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[maddux31]

The Mantles on the board in the "who is responsible for this mess"!!! It doesn't look like a poster and I hope they were not permanently affixed.

Also the "0- dealer" on the quiz is pretty hilarious!

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by midmo

Atlantic City

http://nsccshow.com/

Looking forward to it.

Would be my first Nationals.

I better start saving

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by todeen

Biggest card show I've ever attended was Seattle's All Star Fanfest in 2001. Didn't even attend the games. News leaked it will return to Seattle in 2023. I'm already planning to attend. It will be awesome! I'd have to seriously consider not attending a Socal show, especially in San Diego. I could totally convince my wife to go with me if it was in San Diego.

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Tim, wasn't the 2001 Seattle organized and run by Dennis Purdy who was certainly a strong voice against hobby corruption and dishonest dealers. I recall the lacerations he inflicted on Alan Hager in his mag, VCBC, which were certainly warranted.

[ocjack]

Originally Posted by GasHouseGang

They've already decided we don't get to have it anymore. I think someone is just going to have to develop their own left coast national. I guess we can get all the dealers west of the Mississippi.

Who is the almighty "they" and maybe we need a new group of "them."

[GasHouseGang]

Originally Posted by ocjack

Who is the almighty "they" and maybe we need a new group of "them."

"They" are the NSCC (National Sports Collectors Convention) board. A cursory look on the internet didn't turn up the names. I'm sure many people here know a lot more about the decision making of the NSCC than I do. In an interview from 2012 "they" were identified as Mike Berkus, together with his partner John Broggi. But I have no idea who the board is in 2021 and how they make the decision of where to hold the convention. I'd just like to see one on the west coast again someday.

[todeen]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Tim, wasn't the 2001 Seattle organized and run by Dennis Purdy who was certainly a strong voice against hobby corruption and dishonest dealers. I recall the lacerations he inflicted on Alan Hager in his mag, VCBC, which were certainly warranted.

I was only 15 in 2001 and certainly knew nothing about hobby history. I learn new stories and names on Net54 every day. This year means I've been collecting for 30 years!

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[mr2686]

Looks like the closest we'll get to a "large" card show near SoCal is the show associated with the Industry Summit in Las Vegas. Looks like it will be 200 plus (with a goal of 400 plus) tables every year, which will be cool. They just had it last week I believe.

[ocjack]

Originally Posted by GasHouseGang

"They" are the NSCC (National Sports Collectors Convention) board.

I know who "they" are. And I assume "they" have decided that there won't be a West Coast National for purely financial (for them) reasons. But I also wonder if the major East Coast dealers had a say in the matter - like "I won't attend a West Coast show"?

mr2686 "Looks like the closest we'll get to a "large" card show near SoCal is the show associated with the Industry Summit in Las Vegas. Looks like it will be 200 plus (with a goal of 400 plus) tables every year, which will be cool. They just had it last week I believe."

That would be a possibility, but frankly, I had to look up the show now that you mentioned it. I know I'm no longer in the mainstream of collecting, but I would think for it to compete with a "national" show, one would start with better advertising.

[mr2686]

Originally Posted by ocjack

mr2686 "Looks like the closest we'll get to a "large" card show near SoCal is the show associated with the Industry Summit in Las Vegas. Looks like it will be 200 plus (with a goal of 400 plus) tables every year, which will be cool. They just had it last week I believe."

That would be a possibility, but frankly, I had to look up the show now that you mentioned it. I know I'm no longer in the mainstream of collecting, but I would think for it to compete with a "national" show, one would start with better advertising.

Agreed. I had not heard of it either until a couple of weeks ago from someone attending the Industry Summit. I'm assuming it's fairly new (the card show portion) so maybe they will advertise more in the future. Vegas would be a great place to go to a card show, sit by the pool, gamble a little and maybe even see a Raider game (if it's that time of year).

[Fred]

Fort Washington shows!

It would be nice if they did the National on the west coast at least once a decade.

[egri]

Originally Posted by maddux31

Also the "0- dealer" on the quiz is pretty hilarious!

I got 1 (the 1934 Goudey). Guess I’d better take up philately!

[isiahfan]

Originally Posted by jcmtiger

Yes, the Michigan shows were great. Thanks

Michigan used to have great shows run by Jim and Mark Hawkins...They were/are not the greatest of humans however unfortunately.

[rebelsart]

Great memories! I was there on Saturday and purchased a T206 Ty Cobb, red portrait, from Lew Lipset. His price was $100.00 and I was happy to pay it. Still have the card too! Stopped at Hollywood Park for Western Harness racing on the way home and won $100.00 so the Ty Cobb was basically "free". Thanks for posting Leon!