Philly Show

[Sportsnutcards]

The Show was down about 12 tables, including some of the larger dealers... Autograph list was the worst one ever, and neither Beckett or SGC were grading, overall a very disappointing show.

[glynparson]

Beckett chose to grade at the store owned by the same people that run wheatland auctions over grading at the philly show. Chucks shop is about an hour from valley forge and they were grading there on Friday. That's how bad the show has become under the current regime. and yes Leon that's one reason I won't do the show. Bob schmirer made that demand in the 1980s but willow grove was worth that compromise. Not so sure valley forge ever was.

[Snapolit1]

Putting the arm on people not to attend nearby shows seems like directly the wrong message to send by an auction house whose very existence is dependent on the hobby growing and prospering. Just sayin'.

[judsonhamlin]

I've been going to these shows since the Motor Lodge days and followed the show to Ft. Washington (even wrote a review of the show there for VCBC) and Reading. Since the move to Valley Forge, I've continued the pilgrimage from central Jersey and have generally enjoyed the shows even when they haven't been great. But I've missed the last two and I think have finally come to the conclusion that it just isn't worth the trip. I was Christmas shopping in New Hope/Lambertville and was all ready to go over on Friday when I realized that I'd be seeing most of the same cards for the nth time and that the dealers that didn't put prices on their cards wouldn't start now and the dismissive/bored dealers wouldn't begin engaging with their customers and so on. So I drove home instead.
Sad but nothing stays the same forever.

[skelly]

Out of curiosity, how much is a table? Is it comparable to the prices at White Plains, or are they much more.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by judsonhamlin

I've been going to these shows since the Motor Lodge days and followed the show to Ft. Washington (even wrote a review of the show there for VCBC) and Reading. Since the move to Valley Forge, I've continued the pilgrimage from central Jersey and have generally enjoyed the shows even when they haven't been great. But I've missed the last two and I think have finally come to the conclusion that it just isn't worth the trip. I was Christmas shopping in New Hope/Lambertville and was all ready to go over on Friday when I realized that I'd be seeing most of the same cards for the nth time and that the dealers that didn't put prices on their cards wouldn't start now and the dismissive/bored dealers wouldn't begin engaging with their customers and so on. So I drove home instead.
Sad but nothing stays the same forever.

Well, I know of myself and two other guys who just started doing the show this year. None of us are world class, but I have a nice showcase or two full of clearly marked prewar, graded and raw. Is the show what it was 15 years ago? No. But there are good guys there who try very hard to make their little corner of the show an enjoyable place to visit. It bothers me when I hear "it's the same stuff every time" when I only started doing it this year and my inventory is VASTLY different each time. This time I had t202's from PSA 3 - 5, T201's from 4 -5 and e126's that had never been there before as well as some new T205's and 6's including some hall of famers. If you are going to compare it to "the good old days" then yes, I agree it pales in comparison, however if you want to go it's not like you're wasting your $8. Instead of bitching about the same old dealers selling the same old stuff, maybe look at some of the guys you don't recognize!

[basesareempty]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Well, I know of myself and two other guys who just started doing the show this year. None of us are world class, but I have a nice showcase or two full of clearly marked prewar, graded and raw. Is the show what it was 15 years ago? No. But there are good guys there who try very hard to make their little corner of the show an enjoyable place to visit. It bothers me when I hear "it's the same stuff every time" when I only started doing it this year and my inventory is VASTLY different each time. This time I had t202's from PSA 3 - 5, T201's from 4 -5 and e126's that had never been there before as well as some new T205's and 6's including some hall of famers. If you are going to compare it to "the good old days" then yes, I agree it pales in comparison, however if you want to go it's not like you're wasting your $8. Instead of bitching about the same old dealers selling the same old stuff, maybe look at some of the guys you don't recognize!

I agree!

[judsonhamlin]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Well, I know of myself and two other guys who just started doing the show this year. None of us are world class, but I have a nice showcase or two full of clearly marked prewar, graded and raw. Is the show what it was 15 years ago? No. But there are good guys there who try very hard to make their little corner of the show an enjoyable place to visit. It bothers me when I hear "it's the same stuff every time" when I only started doing it this year and my inventory is VASTLY different each time. This time I had t202's from PSA 3 - 5, T201's from 4 -5 and e126's that had never been there before as well as some new T205's and 6's including some hall of famers. If you are going to compare it to "the good old days" then yes, I agree it pales in comparison, however if you want to go it's not like you're wasting your $8. Instead of bitching about the same old dealers selling the same old stuff, maybe look at some of the guys you don't recognize!

I'm not sure that legitimate criticism of a show amounts to 'bitching' but would agree that there are still good points to the show. Catching up with people like Al C. and Kevin Savage is always good. And it's not to say I don't find anything to fill my eclectic, mid-grade collection goals, even if I wind up coming home with more money than I spend. But I stand by my observations. On Fridays, there are consistently tables that are unoccupied, or staffed by relatives or friends who can't help with pricing or opening a display case. I can describe several cards that have been to the show more than many dealers. I'm not a refractor, memorabilia or autograph guy, so those are not a draw for me either. So for three hours round-trip on the NJ and Pennsy Turnpikes on a Friday night, the cost has begun to outweigh the benefits. Now, if you will be at the January PAL show, I'll be happy to visit your table and spend my collecting dollars there, and enjoy a new show that I hope succeeds.

[Snapolit1]

I'm sure there is not a single long running show in the country that is "as good as it used to be" in the memory of people who have cherished memories of it. I went, first time, and I thought it was pretty good. Big enough that I found some stuff I was interested in. But the idea that the people running it are strong arming people who are trying to make a few bucks and keep the hobby alive is a crock of bs.

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by judsonhamlin

I've been going to these shows since the Motor Lodge days and followed the show to Ft. Washington (even wrote a review of the show there for VCBC) and Reading. Since the move to Valley Forge, I've continued the pilgrimage from central Jersey and have generally enjoyed the shows even when they haven't been great. But I've missed the last two and I think have finally come to the conclusion that it just isn't worth the trip. I was Christmas shopping in New Hope/Lambertville and was all ready to go over on Friday when I realized that I'd be seeing most of the same cards for the nth time and that the dealers that didn't put prices on their cards wouldn't start now and the dismissive/bored dealers wouldn't begin engaging with their customers and so on. So I drove home instead.
Sad but nothing stays the same forever.

Hi Judson

T'is a shame we didn't meet up last Friday when you were in the New Hope (PA) area. I live north of New Hope, and I would have
taken you on a more direct (and scenic) route to Valley Forge. No NJ or Pennsy Pikes needed to get there.

Anyhow, I was at the Show Friday, and in terms of finding some 19th Century stuff and certain T206 rare backs (American Beauty,
Lenox, red Hindu, Uzit, etc.) the show was disappointing. But, it was great talking with dealers Kevin Savage, Brian Dec, Dave Czuba,
William Chappelle, Dick DeCoursey, and John Goodman.
There was definitely less dealer set-ups than there has been in the past. Several of the veteran dealers who always have some great
stuff do not set up at this show any more.


TED Z
.