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

Hope to see some of you this forthcoming weekend at the Valley Forge Conv. Center. Easy access off the Pennsy Pike
at Valley Forge (Exit #327). Pete Rose, Mike Schmidt and Steve Carton are some of the signing guests.

Jim Rivera and Ted Z will be set up at Booth # 408 with a wide selection of vintage cards, including......

400+ T206 cards (many with tough & rare backs)

N28 and N162 cards

T210 cards

E-cards

Goudey and Play Ball cards

many Bowman and Topps cards

Or, just stop by for some interesting conversation....Talkin' Base Ball and BB cards.



Show times are........

Friday...........5 PM - 9 PM
Saturday.......9 AM - 5 PM
Sunday.........9 AM - 4 PM

For more show info click onto this link:

http://www.phillyshow.org



TED Z

Hey Ted
 

I will be there fairly early Saturday and all day Sunday....I am coming to the show to pick up some consignments for our next B and L Auction and to see if I can find anything for my collection. I look forward to seeing anyone and everyone. I have never been to a show, other than the National, outside of Dallas....so am cautiously optimistic and excited. best regards

I'll be there on Friday night only and will keep a look out for familiar Net 54 faces.

Leon
 

Email sent regarding show.


TED Z

philly show
 

As always looking forward to the show! Looking forward to seeing some nice people and great vintage cards.

Ryan H.

I will also be set up at booth 516. Come by and say hi. I have picked up some new stuff since the last show.

James G

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

Are there only three Net54er's setting-up at this show ?

There must be more Net54er's doing this show....do tell us who you are ?

:) Why not take advantage of this free advertising :)


TED Z

I will be there on Saturday...

hotel
 

I am booking my hotel now and it shows that either the Radisson or Scanticon are the hotels affiliated with the show. Is one better than the other? Is one connected physically to the center? I usually like to stay as close as possible....thanks in advance....

Leon

They are both connected really. The Scanticon is above the convention area and the Radisson is to the side of it. You can't go wrong staying at either place from a distance perspective. I live here so I've never stayed but I think the Radisson is newer.

If you use the Radisson, tell them you are there for the show-they have a show price.

Leon
 

Any time you are visiting in Pennsylvania you are welcome to stay at the Hotel Zanidakis......but remember this......

:) "You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave" :)


T-Rex TED

accepted
 

Hey Ted,
I think you have talked me into it :). I will accept your kind offer of Hotel Zanidakis. I want to continue our debate on T206/T213-1 in person and that is a great way to do it. Also, I might get to meet your lovely wife and that would be an honor also. I will be at the show around 1pm on Saturday and will look you up, so don't leave without me. You are my ride and lodging.....lucky you!! I really do appreciate the kind offer and am greatly looking forward to it. Barry S. says you are the "host with the most!!" See ya in a few days.....

Leon,

You are going to find out quickly that Ted Z. is one of the nicest guys on earth !!! Enjoy the show !!!

Judy and I visited Ted and Charlotte this past Saturday. Lovely day, even if the spinach pies weren't a big hit.:(

I'll be set up as well
 

I am right next to the PSA booth please stop by and say hello.

I turned my VIP booth in for good. Show stinks and has gotten away from vintage. Also with the public coming in the center instead of the far left, it kills the left side of the floor.

I am with old timer Roger Neufeldt, I am done with the Philly show

Dan Mckee

Dan McKee
 

You will be missed....this show will not be the same without you, ole buddy.

I will contact you next week and provide you a report on this show.

Best regards,

TED Z

Hi Everyone,

SGC will be grading on-site and accepting submissons all weekend at this show. We'll also be providing the Quick Grade service for $20 as we have at the National and the last Valley Forge show. On-site grading will start at $35 ($50 for oversize). You may also submit under any of the December specials for submissions that we will be taking back to the office.

Please stop by to say hello and drop off your cards. We look forward to seeing many of you at this show!

Thank you,

Brian Dwyer
SGC
1-800-742-9212

Philly show
 

I have some unexpected buisness come up and will miss this December show-see all you guys in March.

I'm not going to make it this time around. See you all in March

T206 Plank at show?
 

Does anyone know if any of the auction houses will have a T206 Plank on display at the show?

Thanks,
Ryan

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

Judson

I will miss you....we've had some nice conversations and deals in past Philly Shows.

OK people, looking forward to seeing some of you at the show.


TED Z

Philly Show
 

Scott and I will be at the show this evening with some T cards to show, sell and/or trade. Scott is 6'7'' & I'm the six footer with white hair.

If none of the auction houses have a Plank and you have your heart set on seeing one ... look for us.

We hope to meet and shmooze with as many of you who will be there tonight.

Hank Levy
cell: 516-225-4400

Help from show attendees
 

I won't be able to go this weekend but if any of you who go notice anybody selling 1941 Goudey cards I'd appreciate it if you would forward along their contact information.

Thanks,

Brian

Mile High has a Plank in their upcoming auction and they had it on display at the show tonight.

Just got back from the Philly Show tonight. Only highlights were conversations with the SGC team and Andy Broome from Beckett. Otherwise, a pretty quiet Philly Show, each one seems to lose a few more top quality vintage dealers thank the previous one.

Agreed. The amount of tables and foot traffic seemed very light. I've come to the last few shows straight from work on Friday noght and the parking lot was always very full, tonight I got a spot (and there were a few) right near the entrance.

Not good.

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.

Oh no...another "definately".;)

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

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.

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

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

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.

My review
 

With the exception of seeing a few really enjoyable dealers and friends, especially:
Bill G
James G
Ted Z
Toby

I found the show to be quite disappointing and lacking in high quality T205/6/7 material that were plentiful in years past. Even though this show is a mere one hour from my home, I will contemplate attending future ones. I hope that others have a more successful time.

Regards,
S

As for the comments about Teddy Z
 

Although we can both passionate about the cards and our positions :)

Teddy is a super guy and I hope he comes to Baltimore next summer :)

Rich

photos?
 

any action Photos from the SHow to liven up this thread?

Pre War Missing
 

I would have to agree, the pre war was missing at the show.

With the disclaimer that I didn't make it to VF this weekend, I agree that the last few shows have been largely a letdown. While nothing is what it once was, and the scene that was Willow Grove or even the first few Ft. Washington shows is a thing of the past, there is still much more high end and collector-grade vintage than is being brought to the Philly show now.
Many of the E/T/N/R cards at the show have been the same over-priced and/or over-graded examples that dealers haven't sold for multiple shows. As a collector, there isn't much point in trying to do business with a guy trying to get 75.00 for a common T205 that has multiple creases and paper loss. It'll be there in March, and I won't buy it then, either.
Having said that, I fully understand the dealers' dilemma. Add together the table cost, transportation, food and lodging and time away from websites and stores, and the cost of doing business at the show must be imposing, at the least. It's no wonder many of them have opted out.
I will continue to go to the shows, but with decreased expectations for picking up pre-war cards. I think it will still be a good spot to say hello to Ted Z., Kevin Savage and others, set-build post-war cards, pick up supplies and maybe get a couple of cards graded. Anything more than that will be nice but not expected.

Bob

Yes they were for sale. Not sure on the prices, I thought he said something around 3k each. Both were in Sgc auth holders.
he sets up with chuck so if they didn't sell they should be floating around.

James

one of them was about 3700
 

He wanted about 3700 for one of the Delehanty cabinets that was in an AUT holder. Great looking pose but the bottom was trimmed off and there was a pinhole in it. I had a good time but I don't think I would have considered it a good show. I found nadda for my collection. I did get some consignments and that was ok. Maybe the best thing was spending quite a bit of time with Teddy Z and seeing some of his great collection at his house. He and his lovely wife were some of the best hosts you could imagine. I also got to eat at a great little breakfast place, I think it was called Franks, right on the Delaware River. Besides that I did see a lot of folks I knew and spent quite a bit if of time talking to the SGC guys and Bill and Wayne from Shoebox cards....And I don't know why but Levi got a picture of James and I, that is liable to show up somewhere down the road. There were no compromising issues with it... such as neither of us were puking from being drunk or anything fun. I had a good time but most dealers I spoke to said it wasn't a very good show. A few said it was good but they were in the vast minority....

PA
 

Thought it was a fun show. Nice to see:

Hank/Scott Levy
SGC
Ted
Shoebox Cards
Cleanweep Auctions
Bill Goodwin
James Gallo
Hunt Auctions
Mike Peich
Tennis Pro
Huggins and Scott
Uncle Dick
Leon
Among Others

Looking forward to the next show.....

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

I enjoyed the Philly Show!!
 

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!!

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

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.

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