Clemente collectors at National in Cleveland

[smtjoy]

Hi Howard, not going to make it this year. Hope to make the National next year. Have fun, I had a blast last year. Scott

[Mark70Z]

Any Clemente pickups while you were there?

[hcv123]

With the items on my want list down to the fingers on one hand (plus the possibility of finding something I have never seen before) I go to shows with no expectation of finding items. That said, my expectation was met at this years national.

There were 3 1959 Kahns for sale (all low grade - priced fairly, so I presume they sold), a 1957 Kahn's low grade, a 1965 Macgregor advisory staff card graded 7 by Becket - the guy was asking $3500 for it - telling me the only other one that sold was graded a 4 and sold for $1400 - I didn't even bother continuing the conversation - everyone is entitled to their own reality. A few nice autographed items (The autographed items I have in my collection are about the item (incidentally happen to be autographed)) - so none for me.
Nothing else I can think of that was notable.

I took my 7 year old son to his first national and the time we had exceeded my expectations. 6 hours into the 8 hour drive, I heard the first "are we there yet?" He is a special child and I love him dearly. It was awesome - We got 2 cards made by upper deck - 1 of him and 1 father/son card. He got to hold a 1932 Babe Ruth game used bat. We did some pack ripping. He also was drawn to a 1950's Johnny Antonelli stadium pin which I bought for him - why that one? Time will tell perhaps. A few dealers gave him cards "for free" which he got really excited about. A number of people got a kick out of asking him who his favorite player is and hearing him say "Roberto Clemente". We also found a few additions to the 1952 Pirates set we are working on. All in all a wonderful memory I will treasure the rest of my life. Waiting for my 5 year old to get a little older to do the same with him!

[bobsbbcards]

Originally Posted by hcv123

a 1965 Macgregor advisory staff card graded 7 by Becket - the guy was asking $3500 for it - telling me the only other one that sold was graded a 4 and sold for $1400 - I didn't even bother continuing the conversation - everyone is entitled to their own reality.

This one sold in a Goodwin auction for $428.40 in 2012.

[Mark70Z]

Howard,

Appreciate you letting us know about your experience at the National. As pretty much a single player collector myself it would be neat to hear if you were able to pick something up of your player and/or see something you've never seen before. As you, I've had plenty of experience with dealers thinking an item is worth "way" more than the going rate or price people are willing to pay. I guess they'll haul the item around and keep it in their inventory. You would figure a person who collects that player exclusively, in your case Clemente, would know what the item is really worth rather than the dealer selling the items; oh, well.

I'm so glad you had the opportunity to take your son to his first National and it exceeded your expectations; can't get any better than that!