The was the first year I had 3 days to toil around, be social and try to actually take the whole thing it. The thing that really surprised me was how little money I saw exchanging hands. The National seems to not be a place of business, but is morphing into a place for us dorks to hang out. People rent tables, some have very little interest in selling their cards and is a medium to just hang out or to talk to collectors/buddies all week. It was extremely fun and the true key to the hobby is meeting other collectors, but socially and for your collection.
It was huge as usual, lots of things going on everywhere and there some definite impressions I had.
Tons of t206s, just loads in binders, piles, they seemed everywhere. I don't ever remember seeing that many before. So a massive amount of t207s as well, probably 1000 cards? Baltimore had maybe 100 and Chicago last year even less. Saw a bit of t202s as well and the mainstream t-cards seemed plentiful.
Much less memorabilia f/s sale, and what was were all autos. Just less stuff, I'm not a memorabilia guy but there just didn't seem to be the displays that pulled you in just the see their wares. Lots of rings, past that was not much in comparison.
It sucks having 1914 CJs so hot for an old CJ collector, no deals to be had. There was a complete 1915 set for $75,000 for Wed., that was neat.
Pre war seemed to represent well, but the extremely rare/unique pieces seemed to be lower than normal. Tons of the mainstream stuff, 50s and 60s is still king but lots of cards. I only made a single purchase at the show but my purchase of the show was made in the bar rather late. It seems more of a social thing now.
|