Live National Report Thread....

[Big Ben]

[QUOTE=SAllen2556;1304882

We had fun and saw some amazing stuff, but I came back with way more money than I intended. I think the Sunday afternoon theory might be the best bet for me next time. [\QUOTE]


I am curious about your Sunday afternoon theory. I have been to the last two Chicago Nationals. Both times on Sunday. I have been able to negotiate with some things, but you also run into dealers packing their merchandise around 1pm.

[vintagebaseball]

What booth had the Wagner? I missed that

[drcy]

High point: Meeting all the genuine, friendly collectors and hobbyists out there, including the Net54 board members. Lots of nice people and good conversations.

Low point: The food choices in the exhibition center. In other words, having to eat a hot dog for breakfast.

A lot of the industry/money aspects of the hobby are a turn off to me, but there are a lot of good old fashioned collectors out there.

[albrshbr]

Well, finished day 3, and didn't pick up much. Spent most of the day looking for a 1962 Fleer football Billy Shaw, found 5 but 4 were the typical way off center and the 5th was pretty beat. I did pick up an E135-type blank back for a good price.

Went to the PSA awards luncheon, and met a few NET54 members there. Nice luncheon and nice gifts. Big news there is that PSA will start giving true numeric grades to the freaks, ghosts, 2 names, etc. that are all the rage now days.

I've got to agree with others, I'm not sure how many of the dealers really want to make sales. It's tough to tear them away from their discussions with each other to show you cards in their cases. I also can't see how some of these guys expect to make any money either. Lots of 80s/90s junk boxes everywhere. Quite a few dealers I haven't seen anyone visit them.

Also agree about the food. First thing in the morning and the coffee stand isn't even open. Actually, it's never been open. Good thing is they have Labatt Blue Light on tap, anyone looking for me there's the possibility I'm taking my break there.

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by albrshbr

... Went to the PSA awards luncheon, and met a few NET54 members there. Nice luncheon and nice gifts. Big news there is that PSA will start giving true numeric grades to the freaks, ghosts, 2 names, etc. that are all the rage now days. ...

Bruce, what were the gifts this year? I'm assuming their "cards that never were" set?

[bbcard1]

My experience with the National is that it's a great place to sell...I have made several significant sales there. As for buying, you can do pretty well bottom fishing...picking up $3 cards for a dime...but otherwise, be prepared to pay retail. That said, it is well worth going anytime you can.

[albrshbr]

Originally Posted by 4815162342

Bruce, what were the gifts this year? I'm assuming their "cards that never were" set?

They did give out 1 random "Cards that Never Were", and one of their plastic boxes to store graded cards in, and a shoulder bag. Decent lunch too, better than $6 hamburgers and $4 bottles of water. Not bad for free.

[kmac32]

I collect E121-80 yankees and Giants so my "National" was about 3 weeks ago when there were massive numbers of E121-80 cards in Ebay. I picked up 5 cards and seriously doubt if I could have done better at the Cleveland National. Spent about as much as I would have before even stepping in the door at Cleveland without the travel. Been to 3 Nationals before and enjoyed each of them but never had the success that I did on the 3 days on eBay.

[bobbvc]

Originally Posted by kmac32

I collect E121-80 yankees and Giants so my "National" was about 3 weeks ago when there were massive numbers of E121-80 cards in Ebay. I picked up 5 cards and seriously doubt if I could have done better at the Cleveland National. Spent about as much as I would have before even stepping in the door at Cleveland without the travel. Been to 3 Nationals before and enjoyed each of them but never had the success that I did on the 3 days on eBay.

Did well at the last National on the west coast, which was many, many years ago for some reason. Hint, Hint...

[kmac32]

Originally Posted by bobbvc

Did well at the last National on the west coast, which was many, many years ago for some reason. Hint, Hint...

Would be nice to have a "National" on the West Coast. Anaheim or San Diego would be nice. If people wanted Cheap hotels, they could stay in Tiajuana. LOL

[perezfan]

YES!!

San Diego would be the perfect venue. Great convention center, right next to Petco Park and the Gaslamp District (with limitless resaturant choices and bars within easy walking distance). Not to mention Seaport Village, the Zoo, Balboa Park, Museums and Downtown all within 10 minutes- for family members who prefer to stray.

Plus, it's 6 minutes from the airport, with the waterfront and over 30 nice hotels in easy walking distance. And yes- even Tijuana is close by. I just don't understand why these shows must exclusively reside east of the Mississippi.

[ErikV]

Just got these pics from Al/LOTG booth at the National. He said these cards
were being consigned for his fall auction. I see an Old Judge King Kelly,
Exhibit Lou Gehrig, Toleteros Gibson, Famous-Barr Jim Thorpe, T206 Magie
error to name just a few.

Thanks for the pics, Al.

ErikV

[Bicem]

Originally Posted by drcy

A lot of the industry/money aspects of the hobby are a turn off to me, but there are a lot of good old fashioned collectors out there.

Well said, agree 100%.

[pgellis]

Originally Posted by drcy

High point: Meeting all the genuine, friendly collectors and hobbyists out there, including the Net54 board members. Lots of nice people and good conversations.

Low point: The food choices in the exhibition center. In other words, having to eat a hot dog for breakfast.

A lot of the industry/money aspects of the hobby are a turn off to me, but there are a lot of good old fashioned collectors out there.

When I started reading your post, I saw the phrase "hot dog for breakfast" and thought that was going to be listed under your "high point"