I know there are several National Threads out there, but I didn't see any that focused on autographs, so I thought I would share my observations
So I flew out to Chicago for a day trip Saturday, crowds were actually much lower than I expected and saw last year at Cleveland.
1) If you wanted a big name vintage player (Ruth, Mathewson, Cobb)-there were plenty of dealers out there. Since this wasn't my focus, I didn't spend much time at their tables.
2) If you wanted the vintage tough HOF stuff-there were about 3-5 dealers I could find (Kevin Keating, Joshua Tree, Rhys-Prewarsports) with Kevin having the vastest selection.
3) There were few, if any, bargains. The dealers know what they have is rare and even though business didn't seem that brisk-the dealers did not appear to give great deals just to break even for the show expenses. That being said:
4) The dealers I spoke with could not have been any nicer. I spent hours with Rhys, Kevin Keating and Joshua Tree as was delighted to make purchases from all three.
5) NO-ONE I spoke with looked forward to going to Atlantic City next year.
Anyone else go? Would love to read other's opinions/observations. FYI-Here is the nicest piece I saw the entire show, which Kevin had-a team signed 1896? Boston Beaneaters piece w/Selee, Collins, Duffy, Nichols and Hamilton. The asking price was $100K. I apologize for the glare.
