Card shows in 2021

[parkplace33]

If/when cards shows come back in 2021, what do you think the landscape will look like? Some dealers haven’t been at shows in a long time, have many just moved to online selling? Or hunkered down until shows come back?

[Seven]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

If/when cards shows come back in 2021, what do you think the landscape will look like? Some dealers haven’t been at shows in a long time, have many just moved to online selling? Or hunkered down until shows come back?

Shows are already back to a limited extent. I'm sure things will be back to normal once the vaccine is gotten by a good portion of the general population. Shows are very much a social thing, which a lot of people enjoy going to.

[JollyElm]

There was a show out here (SF/Oakland area) last weekend in a very large, wide open room. It was almost entirely made up of modern stuff, which was shocking, but there was a reasonable amount of masked people digging through cards at quite a few of the tables, so good for them. I counted only a pair of vintage dealers, and the one I conversed with at length and actually bought stuff from (the other guy is at every single show with his beyond ridiculous pricing) haled from Arizona, which is a hike. While I was there, no one else was looking through either of these guy's cards (they occupied adjoining tables), and the fellah I bought from had sick runs of ungraded 1966 & 67 high numbers in beautiful shape, plus a handful of 1952 highs (and a Lou Brock RC I purchased). It certainly was a missed opportunity for vintage collectors/dealers. To me, the main problem was the show came out of nowhere and was held at an out-of-the-way (but pretty awesome 'fairgrounds') site. Since most of the other counties out here are on full lockdown (perhaps the promoter found a loophole?), many collectors probably weren't even aware it was happening.

[Johnny630]

I was wonder about the Chicago National in 2021 has anyone heard any updates on that ?

[Seven]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

I was wonder about the Chicago National in 2021 has anyone heard any updates on that ?

If I had to wager, we're not going to hear something until after the holidays at a minimum. Probably to gauge the rise/fall in cases. I will say that if it is in June, there will at a minimum, be a mask mandate.

[Steve D]

There was a show here in San Antonio yesterday and today; 90% of the cards was new shiny stuff, along with Star Wars toys and comic books. Maybe around 50 dealers or so. I went because JSA was there, and I had a recent purchase I needed to get authenticated. Everyone was masked-up.

Steve

[Johnny630]

Originally Posted by Seven

If I had to wager, we're not going to hear something until after the holidays at a minimum. Probably to gauge the rise/fall in cases. I will say that if it is in June, there will at a minimum, be a mask mandate.

From the many of years of going to shows I can sadly say that poor hygiene in the form of foul body odor and bad breath is never in short supply at the shows. I’ll gladly welcome the Mask Mandate at shows.

[Hankphenom]

I see dates for the Philly Show (March5-7) and Chantilly Show (April 9-11) on the ESCM and CSA show websites. The October CSA show happened but the December Philly Show was cancelled, so who knows if these will go on depending on the virus situation this spring, I suppose, but I hope so. I hadn't heard of ESCM before, I guess they are the autograph promoters for these shows.

[bmattioli]

Attended a nice show in Plainville CT today. Nice array of both vintage and modern. What made my day was a kid around 12 or so buying vintage cards for $1.00 and said his he likes the history of older cards.. Buys from today:

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

I see dates for the Philly Show (March5-7) and Chantilly Show (April 9-11) on the ESCM and CSA show websites. The October CSA show happened but the December Philly Show was cancelled, so who knows if these will go on depending on the virus situation this spring, I suppose, but I hope so. I hadn't heard of ESCM before, I guess they are the autograph promoters for these shows.

I told Dan M yesterday, the next Chantilly or Philly show, I will probably come up there and set up with him again. Hopefully will get to see Teddy Z too.
Should be fun again, pandemic and all.

.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by Leon

I told Dan M yesterday, the next Chantilly or Philly show, I will probably come up there and set up with him again. Hopefully will get to see Teddy Z too. Should be fun again, pandemic and all. .

Hope to see you there, Leon. Can't wait til things get back to normal.

[Throttlesteer]

I hate to bring a sour sub-topic to the discussion. But, given all of the theft and other scammery going on at shows, I would be concerned with everyone wearing masks. A large part of the security apparatus used to protect higher-value cards relies on being able to identify people (video or in-person). I would be hesitant to put anything out in fear someone grabs and runs.

Sure, there are ways to try and safeguard. But it's just one more challenge with COVID and there are a lot of desperate people out there.

[samosa4u]

Originally Posted by Throttlesteer

I hate to bring a sour sub-topic to the discussion. But, given all of the theft and other scammery going on at shows, I would be concerned with everyone wearing masks. A large part of the security apparatus used to protect higher-value cards relies on being able to identify people (video or in-person). I would be hesitant to put anything out in fear someone grabs and runs.

Sure, there are ways to try and safeguard. But it's just one more challenge with COVID and there are a lot of desperate people out there.

+1

[Rich Klein]

As a customer and vendor at all of Kyle's DFW shows (I missed the other one in Arlington); I have not heard or witnessed anything about thefts and we've had good attendance and almost as good mask wearing. Frankly, a really good thief is going to get you with or without a mask.

Rich

[Johnny630]

Has anyone heard any updates about the Strongsville Show Scheduled in April?

Hopefully that does not get cancelled again like it was in 2020.

[jbsports33]

Just waiting for Mass. to open shows!

Have been doing some flea markets and may try NH. or Conn. this year if we are stuck with another long wait.

Jimmy

[Leon]

Hopefully we will get some openings as the vaccine gets more widely distributed. I have been talking to Danny M about setting up at Chantilly or Philly, whichever is open next. It would be great to see everyone in Chicago in 2021 also.

.

[Exhibitman]

Hoping for shows in the latter part of the year starting with the National. I am not expecting shows to happen here in SoCal until at least the summer, and that assumes widespread vaccination and a dramatic downturn in the disease rate as a result. Collectors are usually sedentary, obese, older people, i.e., Covid-bait. Even then, I would be masked and gloved up.