2019 National Report - Sneak Peak, DAY 1 and DAY recaps - UPDATED 8/2 PM

[bounce]

Anyway, with all that in mind...as I said I was getting late in the day when this happened...



Just when I was about to lose hope for the day, a very nice stack of cards just kind of fell my way, and ultimately made my show to be honest. Great conclusion to a solid Day 1.

[bounce]

And now for Day 2 (Friday). After the close of Thursday, I'm not really sure what could happen today to top it. There are only a few specific cards on my really really want list, and some of those aren't really expensive or rare or whatever, so I knew going in that today could just be pretty chill.

I should have taken a few more pictures, and I started out with good intentions but I just got into "looking mode" and the day just kind of passed me by.

I was a little more focused on non-card stuff today, and these really caught my eye. This dealer has been there every year I can remember, and the selection seems pretty off the charts. Again, getting a bunch together like this just emphasizes how neat they are.




I also ran across these, and they are just way bigger in person than you can even imagine. It's hard to imagine a human foot could even be this size, the damn things are bigger than my chest.



Back to cards, I'm familiar withe Wagner but had never seen these others in person. I've always thought the Wagner looked kind of funny, but next to these other two maybe I kind of "get it" a little better now. Not sure how rare Laj and Matty are, but assume it must be pretty rare since I'd never seen or noticed them before.



I also thought this was a really solid selection of cards.



And my favorite sign of the show so far...he had another one that said "don't care about your eBay fees", I told him that one wasn't as good to me but this one works.

[bounce]

As for my Day 2 pickups? ZIP. Got shut out today. I was close on 3-4 buys, mostly modern stuff but there were a couple T206s and a couple mid 50s RCs. Just couldn't quite close the gap, which I'm sure was some holdover from my spending the day before. But I've got today's cards on a list, and tomorrow is my last day at the show so I might make a final pass on each and see if I can get that final budge. If not, no big deal - I have a nice haul heading home. But hey - it can always be better, right?

All was not lost. To close out the day, I went to the Net54 dinner. I had not been in previous years, but I think I may just make this part of my annual trip. Here's a shot of the room.



It seemed pretty well attended, and I was surprised by how few "dealers" there were - most were collectors which I wasn't necessarily expecting. Sat with some folks I didn't know, and had some talk about cards. My table mates actually collected some rare stuff which I knew nothing about, so it was fun hearing from them about those cards and why they collected them and where they find them, etc. Totally different part of the hobby than I'm in, but the chase and their friendships and stories came through - it was really nice to hear that stuff, great reminder that this should be fun!

Also, Josh Evans from Lelands was one of the speakers. I appreciate that he got up in the front of the room and took questions, thought he did a nice job. It seems clear to me that everyone, collectors and companies alike, are all still trying to figure out how to balance hobby and business, ethics and responsibilities, and how to help find a way to root out the bad actors. There are no easy answers to a lot of these questions, but I remain hopeful that we can all keep a spotlight on some of these issues long enough to get an appropriate response and ultimately change in behavior from some of the "hobby leaders" (whether self-appointed or earned over time). I really think "transparency" is going to be the buzz word for the foreseeable future, as it should be and should have been for a long time. I think as "collectors" that is the demand we should be putting on the "businesses" and each other. How that ultimately comes together to impact "provenance" I think will be a real key to whether anything really changes or if this is the just the next in line of continuing hobby scandals. The FBI is definitely involved, we'll see if there's enough economic impact to keep them involved.

Anyway, Day 2 is now in the books. I'll be back late tomorrow or Sunday for Day 3 summary and final wrap. Hope you enjoy.

[jimtigers65]

All was not lost. To close out the day, I went to the Net54 dinner. I had not been in previous years, but I think I may just make this part of my annual trip. Here's a shot of the room.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/Pxd2r6gl.jpg[/omg

It seemed pretty well attended, and I was surprised by how few "dealers" there were - most were collectors which I wasn't necessarily expecting. Sat with some folks I didn't know, and had some talk about cards. My table mates actually collected some rare stuff which I knew nothing about, so it was fun hearing from them about those cards and why they collected them and where they find them, etc. Totally different part of the hobby than I'm in, but the chase and their friendships and stories came through - it was really nice to hear that stuff, great reminder that this should be fun!

Bounce, it was nice to met you. I enjoyed listening about your collection and travels throughout Texas. I struck out on finding a 1962 Ford Motor Company Detroit Tigers postcard. But like you mentioned it’s the chase of finding these oddball items.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by bounce

Anyway, with all that in mind...as I said I was getting late in the day when this happened...



Just when I was about to lose hope for the day, a very nice stack of cards just kind of fell my way, and ultimately made my show to be honest. Great conclusion to a solid Day 1.

wow

[Rhotchkiss]

David, I really love these posts (thank you), especially this year since I am not there. Those Cobbs you picked up are awesome - that;s a year's work in a day. Well done. Great point about the cost of attendees vs the cost of dealers -- we all need to commute, pay for meals, and hotels, etc., which we need to capitalize into the cost of cards we may buy, just like dealers with cards they sell.

I am looking forward to the next installment.

Ryan

[RedsFan1941]

did not know you aren’t at the National. Seems hard to believe.

[Rhotchkiss]

Didn’t work out this year. But now that it’s going on, I am having major Fomo. But I was able to pick this up at the National, even though I am in North Carolina (thanks to some friends keeping an eye out).

[MVSNYC]

FO·MO

/ˈfōmō/

noun INFORMAL
noun: FOMO

anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on a social media website.

"I realized I was a lifelong sufferer of FOMO"

(Ryan, nice pick ups).

[Jay Wolt]

Ryan & David fantastic pickups

[Buythatcard]

Originally Posted by MVSNYC

FO·MO

/ˈfōmō/

noun INFORMAL
noun: FOMO

anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on a social media website.

"I realized I was a lifelong sufferer of FOMO"

(Ryan, nice pick ups).

I believe I have FOMO too. I am glad there is now a word for it.