Whatever happened to your card dealer of the past?

ALR-bishop · #1 09-03-2015, 08:32 AM

A salute to Tom and Eddie in Austin, or wherever they are now

stlcardsfan · #2 09-03-2015, 12:58 PM

Walter Abe of Foster City, CA. As a 9 year old I ordered a 1975 complete set from him (with Mom's help). Still have it. Bought a bunch of stuff after that as well.

brian1961 · #3 09-03-2015, 01:12 PM

I first ordered cards through the mail with Wholesale Cards Co. of New York/New Jersey, run by Bruce Yeko. I think he eventually stopped in the 80s maybe; I read where a barn fire took all of his remaining inventory, which was probably a massive loss considering he dealt in sports and non-sports cards.

I also dealt with The Trading Card Co. of Farmington Hills, Michigan. They had excellent customer service. I well recall the time in the late 60s I ordered a group of about forty 1962 Topps baseball. Among the cards I selected was #200, Mickey Mantle. Somehow, I'd lost my original during a family move. I had even forgotten what the card looked like. They did indeed send me Mickey, for only eight cents. That's what they were charging for 62s then. Hate to say it; that shot of Mick is awful and forgettable, but it was nice to get the Mantle anyway. Funny how some things you just don't forget.

In the 80s I believe The Trading Card Co. sold out to a Chicago-area sports collecting store conglomerate, with Don Steinbach being one of the principal owners. ---Brian Powell

Griffins · #4 09-03-2015, 04:16 PM

I started buying from Card Collectors Company from about '72 thru '76, it was a better alternative to getting yelled at my the old guy at the only card store in town, Adco.
I've still got a couple of catalogs around. I used to order T206's for .50 each, and if you bought a dozen their choice they'd often put in 2nd tier HOFers like Bender, Bresnahan, Clarke, etc. One time they sent a Uzit back, which I promptly flipped for $10.

Some of the local dealers back then that I've often wondered about were Jim Nowell, Gavin Riley and Steve Brunner. Merv Williams was another one that was really nice to kids, I've heard he's doing well living in the desert.
Fred Copp, Gar Miller, Ed Budnick, CS Perry, Ray Hess, John Spalding, Bob Rathgeber were some of the ones I recall dealing with back then. Gar was still selling as of a few years ago, Clay Hill is still in the hobby with SCP, and Irv Lerner is selling rings instead of cards but still there. I figure most of the others probably sold out, but would be interested in hearing about news, especially the first few on my list.

ALR-bishop · #5 09-03-2015, 04:22 PM

stlcardsfan · #6 09-03-2015, 04:53 PM

I know you have posted this before, Al. Unbelievable.

campyfan39 · #7 09-03-2015, 05:46 PM

Paul Snow who was set up at the NC fairgrounds. Great guy and very fair and honest. Was hooked when my Dad bought a 59 Skowron from him in early 1980's. He and his wife always wore matching colors.
I was able to catch up with him last year and interview him for my book. He was happily retired, still married and still matching his wife's outfit. He currently doesn't own a single card. Since retiring he settled down and became a Christian which IMO was pretty cool to see.

Laxcat · #8 09-04-2015, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

A salute to Tom and Eddie in Austin, or wherever they are now

Al

Tom is my father. My collection is put together from his. Did you ever make your way to the SA store?

ALR-bishop · #9 09-04-2015, 10:05 PM

I lived in Austin from 85 to 90 and bought a bunch of stuff from that store. On what was then north side of town, right ? Austin Sports Collectibles ?

Laxcat · #10 09-04-2015, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

I lived in Austin from 85 to 90 and bought a bunch of stuff from that store. On what was then north side of town, right ? Austin Sports Collectibles ?

Sports Collectibles of Austin. Correct. Was North, now barely central. I was the annoying kid running around on Saturdays.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
2010 National Pickups,Pics, and Post	Pup6913	Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions	110	02-10-2011 06:40 PM
Past Card Values Listed Anywhere?	Archive	Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions	8	08-17-2008 11:23 AM
A question regarding the Mastro trimmed card thread	Archive	Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions	42	10-02-2006 12:36 PM
I realize that our opinions may differ regarding what constitutes a baseball card	Archive	Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions	4	09-10-2006 02:42 PM
PSA FOUND LIABLE FOR LOSING RARE T206 MAGIE ERROR CARD	Archive	Net54baseball Vintage (WWII & Older) Baseball Cards & New Member Introductions	30	10-09-2004 06:48 PM