National ramblings

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by 71buc

Sitting on the runway in Seattle headed to my first National after collecting for almost 50 years. I'm looking forward to it despite all of this drama and larceny. I hope to pick up some unusual items for my very narrow focus on the 71 Pirates. I am probably one of the only people who thinks a 1971 Pirates Wives cookbook is cool. Mazeroski's squirrel recipe looks tempting. With my odd taste and limited budget I'm fairly sure I wont fall prey to any nefarious characters. I do hope to meet a few other fellows who are strange as my family professes me to be. Im looking forward to this show perhaps I'm a fool and a lemming but I have been called worse.

There are 3-4 Booths at the Natty with some killer 1970s Pirates stuff. Came very close to dropping $1,400 on a beautiful Richie Hebner G/U pullover knit jersey. But the seller wouldn’t budge, and I exercised some restraint in passing it over.

Of everything said in this thread, I agree with one thing the most... there are far more good people in the hobby than bad. Yes, the prices are high, but reconnecting with collector friends more than makes up for it.

[Bicem]

Eating pizza and drinking beer with Mark right now, he's right, lots of great people here.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Bicem

Eating pizza and drinking beer with Mark right now, he's right, lots of great people here.

We just got seated at Giordano s

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by Leon

We just got seated at Giordano s

I love that place. One of my favorite spots to eat when I go back home. I heard they opened one in Vegas. I've been tempted to make the drive just to check it out.

[iowadoc77]

Originally Posted by Bicem

Eating pizza and drinking beer with Mark right now, he's right, lots of great people here.

The evening and the National have not disappointed. Totally agree about good people and will reiterate my earlier post. The hobby is what you make it. I really enjoy it and plan to continue to enjoy it.

[ALR-bishop]

Originally Posted by iowadoc77

The evening and the National have not disappointed. Totally agree about good people and will reiterate my earlier post. The hobby is what you make it. I really enjoy it and plan to continue to enjoy it.

+1

[71buc]

Originally Posted by perezfan

There are 3-4 Booths at the Natty with some killer 1970s Pirates stuff. Came very close to dropping $1,400 on a beautiful Richie Hebner G/U pullover knit jersey. But the seller wouldn’t budge, and I exercised some restraint in passing it over.

Of everything said in this thread, I agree with one thing the most... there are far more good people in the hobby than bad. Yes, the prices are high, but reconnecting with collector friends more than makes up for it.

Thanks for the lead. I spent 6 hours looking yesterday and walked away empty handed. I'll go find those booths today.

[jhs5120]

Just got back to NYC. Spent all day Wednesday and Thursday at the national.

Crowds were huge, largest I’ve ever seen for the convention (first time I’ve been to Rosemont though). I didn’t bring enough cash, I had to go to the ATM once and PayPal people twice. I ran into two different dealers who only accepted cash. A ton of great deals for those willing to dig a bit.

Everyone seemed in high spirits, not a word about the recent scandal at the convention (though heard someone talk about it on the plane in).

I was very impressed with the Rosemont convention center complex. There were elevated tunnels connecting the center to all the hotels and parking garages.

Ten out of ten. Looking forward to next year.

[Kzoo]

Originally Posted by jhs5120

Just got back to NYC. Spent all day Wednesday and Thursday at the national.

Crowds were huge, largest I’ve ever seen for the convention

I was there both days, as well. The Thursday crowd definitely seemed larger to me than past years and the aisles were very busy all day. I don't remember the National ever using the far back section of floor where the dealers were set up on red carpet. Maybe there were more dealers this year? Or maybe they just put down the red carpet, not sure. I don't remember it from 2 years ago.

The most noticeable 'flaw' I saw in those two days was the terrible lighting. There are some areas where dealers have very minimal overhead lighting, especially along the 1st aisle to the right after entering on the way over to the PSA pavilion. Other areas were ok, but the lights in the ceiling appear to be very old and dim. From memory, Cleveland's IX center was much brighter ( I think they might have had skylights, too).

I still had fun, either way.

[Yoda]

Does Levi of 707 have a new, silly hat this year?

[iowadoc77]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Does Levi of 707 have a new, silly hat this year?

Not sure if it was new but certainly silly. Certainly not the worst hat in the room.

[sycks22]

Hit up the national yesterday, pretty fun experience. Best part was being able to hold a E107 Matty and T206 Cobb Back. The guy selling the Matty had a bunch of E107's just stacked on each other like it was no big deal. Lots of crazy high prices on stuff you could find on ebay though. I can assure you that the PSA lines were not hindered from the trimming scandals at all.

[Fuddjcal]

Originally Posted by perezfan

There are 3-4 Booths at the Natty with some killer 1970s Pirates stuff. Came very close to dropping $1,400 on a beautiful Richie Hebner G/U pullover knit jersey. But the seller wouldn’t budge, and I exercised some restraint in passing it over.

Of everything said in this thread, I agree with one thing the most... there are far more good people in the hobby than bad. Yes, the prices are high, but reconnecting with collector friends more than makes up for it.

Nice job passing on the $15.00 Hebner Fake Jersey

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by Fuddjcal

Nice job passing on the $15.00 Hebner Fake Jersey

Huh?

That jersey was perfect. Just overpriced, IMO