Any National Wrap-ups

[Bocabirdman]

Originally Posted by calvindog

I thought the show was significantly better than last year in terms of both material being sold and prices. Dealers seemed more realistic and were no longer simply dumping their unsold ebay store inventories on tables. As such I ended up with some cards that I didn't expect to find after the past two relatively disappointing Nationals.

I also felt the dealers were a bit more solicitous than in the past, again probably a function of the economy. I even saw some Civil War era material which were real highlights for me. The very back of the floor was mostly a vast wasteland with modern cards and boxed sets but, again, I felt there were more vintage tables set up than last year.

Baltimore is also a great city for the National. Unlike in Chicago, the convention center and connected hotels are close to the good parts of the city.

As someone born a dozen blocks from the Inner Harbor, I would have to agree with your statement. The Broadway/Inner/Harbor/Little Italy area of Baltimore has both held on t0 the old city charm and grabbed a double handful of the new. As long as you do not stray too far off the path. To the East is the neighborhood I grew up in. It is tired. Owner-occupied homes no longer exist. Without pride of ownership blah,blah,blah. Of course, too far south puts you in the Bay. Too far west finds you in a neighborhood in sadder shape than the one I grew up in. If you go north, you will run smack dab into THE BLOCK which is the Red Light district, not a place for an out-of-towner to be after dark.
I guess the same could be said of any major city but at least B-more has great crabs..........

[Tim Kindler]

Bob,
I found lower grade e98s to be very affordable. I picked up 7 of them, some graded, some raw, but all range in A to 30 condition for an average of less than $100 each. Unfortunately I only found 1 that I needed for my master set, but it is better than none. Down to 10 to go. The one I needed was a blue tenney which I got for $1,350 cheaper from one dealer than the other dealer who had the same card in lesser condition. I believe he is the reason why everyone keeps talking about overpriced e98s. I just ignored his table and went on searching and with a little help from a friend spotting some for me got some great deals. Even with the swamp 98s out there, I'll continue to collect and treasure the lower grade ones that I can afford.
Best wishes,
Tim Kindler