Nationals is open for business…. Quick updates

[mrreality68]

Here are some more

[babraham]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

Here are some more

Holy crap, you weren't kidding with those Jackson prices.
$55k for an E90-1...$12.5k for a W514 SGC A...$10k & $12.5k for National Game/Tom Barker. Ouch.

[Steve D]

Just one small request.....

If you're going to post pictures, please orient them correctly.

Too many pictures are posted sideways, and a few are even posted upside-down. Those of us who are using desktop computers will thank you.

Steve

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Steve D

Just one small request.....

If you're going to post pictures, please orient them correctly.

Too many pictures are posted sideways, and a few are even posted upside-down. Those of us who are using desktop computers will thank you.

Steve

Sorry about that. I did it from my iPhone and they all showed as right side up.

[chadeast]

Thanks for the photos! I assume that those Ruth cards are priced with haggling in mind, because wow.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by chadeast

Thanks for the photos! I assume that those Ruth cards are priced with haggling in mind, because wow.

They were not or at least when I spoke to them that was the cash price

[brianp-beme]

Haggling is so demeaning...just pay the $16,500 for the SGC1.5 W519 Ruth and get moving along. I've got other customers, bud.

Brian

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

Sorry about that. I did it from my iPhone and they all showed as right side up.

Thanks for all the pics. Much appreciated. I've experienced that particular cell phone frustration many times as well.

[Jstottlemire1]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

Here are some more

Great pics, you have alot of the same cards I took photos of at memory lane booth back at the Strongsville show of the Ruth’s. Incredible display of awesomeness!

[AnkurJ]

Looks like a fun show! Wondering if it’s worth taking my son to meet some of the Sandlot actors who he loves. Are there any other kid related or kid friendly things there?

[Schlesinj]

My co-worker got Ham’s auto with his son. He got the ball inscribed with ‘You’re killing me Smalls”.

He said he could not be nicer, although he came later than scheduled. They had the same problem with Chipper Jones and unfortunately missed him.

I would say the big booths for Topps, Fananatics and Zero Cool seemed like places that kids would love. I know Zero Cool was releasing a Stranger Things set, that had a cool display.

Whatnot has a boardwalk theme with a few games (like one of those horses races where you roll balls to make the horses move.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Schlesinj

My co-worker got Ham’s auto with his son. He got the ball inscribed with ‘You’re killing me Smalls”.

He said he could not be nicer, although he came later than scheduled. They had the some problem with Chipper Jones and unfortunately missed him.

I would say the big booths for Topps, Fananatics and Zero Cool seemed like places that kids would love. I know Zeeo Cool was releasing a Stranger Things set, that had a cool display.

Whatnot has a boardwalk theme with a few games (like one of those horses races where you roll balls to make the horses move.

Agreed for the kids it is the autographs, the few games, the open of packs to find what is in them, there are the cards. There are no activities beyond the convention unless you take them to the boardwalk with the carnival and they have several arcades there also.

[Yoda]

Great reporting and photos, guys. I was encouraged by the many comments about young collectors with cash in their pockets at the show with their dads. Probably not vintage freaks like us but fresh collecting blood for the health of the hobby.
I was intrigued by the amount of trading being done when it had been consigned to the dumpster for years. I suppose trading might be easier, if you have the right stuff, than walking the aisles looking for a Jordon RC with 100K in your backpack. Make me nervous, for sure. Not sure how valuations are affected by these off-the-books transactions.
Having been a retail dealer for many years, I was appalled by the attitude displayed by so many of them from indifference to near hostility to sincere customers, who just might buy a card and help with the mortgage. Just because you have some nice cards doesn't make you a standup guy.

[mrreality68]

Actually it was interesting how it was done. Several ways

1. They actually had a trading area in middle of the show where you could wait and see people and trade with
2. There were people walking around and then finding a dealer that had a certain card/card like Ruth and then the person offered to trade with the dealer
3. The person stood at the same table and as another person is looking at the dealers cards the person with the card to trade/sell starts talking with the other person and says I got this would you like to see it
4. Other times anyone carry as card carrier case they kept going up to each other asking what they had and would you like to trade.
5. And in the VIP area I also saw people spread cards out and wait for others to start a dialogue and then sometimes engage in trades.
6. I also did see a few people buy cards from one dealer and go to others trying for a quick flip/profit
7. Even at the hotels I saw trade and sale action going on

[x2drich2000]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

7. Even at the hotels I saw trade and sale action going on

There was a large gathering in the walkway between the Claridge and Bally's last night after the show. Some even took over the seating and bar seats facing the walkway in the little snack shop that is there. Guessing there was probably 100+ people. Most had cards laid out on the floor in front waiting for someone to approach. Others were in groups of 4 or 5 making deals. I glanced around pretty quick but all I saw was modern.

[CJinPA]

I attended my first National in 30 years yesterday.

Backstory: The last time I attended I had a booth with a couple of college friends selling our 50's, 60's and 70's cards to help pay for college (we had a substantial collection together and a connection for getting a booth) - so we were Atlanta-bound! At the show I made a trade for a "Honus Wagner" card... it was an e92 Dockman and Sons (hitting). It sat in my nightstand for 25 years until I decided to get it graded a couple of years ago and my desire to complete the Dockman set began!

I've added to the set by making some deals with DJ, Gary Nuchereno and even Leon. That was my quest for heading from PA to AC yesterday, filling in some gaps in the set, and seeing the spectacle that is The National!

My Experience:
* Arrived in AC at ~11 am, parked at Caesars, and made a 1-minute walk to the convention center. Speaking with younger kids and their dads along the entire trip - I got more pumped by their excitement, I'm not going to lie!
* A line of about 100 people at the entrance but worked through that in about 8-10 minutes. A good job was done having enough people putting on wristbands.
* By 11:30, I was IN! Methodically went aisle by aisle looking for my e92 Dockmans. Instead, kicked off my day by purchasing 73 Topps Schmidt rookie (geez, prices on these are REALLY reasonable).
* Saw an INCREDIBLE Dockman Matthewson (PSA 7) and just needed to stare at that for several minutes! Didn't even bother to ask with the dealer wanted, knowing the last REA had one go over $10k and I don't think that baby was a 7!
* Spoke to several dealers and overall their reactions were 'underwhelming' As the day drew on I was at a booth where 2-3 dealers were chatting about not setting up the next day? Wouldn't that get you blacklisted from attending again? Seemed odd but their booths were in a poor location, who knows. The show was packed the entire time I was there and their merch was unremarkable.
* As shared by others, not a ton of vintage, though of the vintage, there were a TON of t206's. Even at non-pre-war setups, I'd see a green or red back Cobb on at least 5-6 occasions.
* e92's nearly nonexistent! Dockmans, Crofts or Najda's - if there were 50-60 in total in the entire convention, I'd be floored! There were more 19th-century cards than e92's.... interesting.
* Reflecting tables (modern stuff) were easy to spot - a ton of people at these tables and brisk buying/selling.
* 707 Sortscards had a huge 4 booth setup and an impressive assortment of cards.
* No shortage of Babe Ruth's, Gehrigs, Cobbs or Mantle's. Also, Clemente's were being pulled out of several cases I was browsing by collectors. Spotted signed 52's Topps Willie Mays and Jackie cards! That was cool.
* Several video streamers broadcasting from their booth, pack-ripping stations and in the aisles.
* As described by others, many, many hard cases are being lugged around - I left in the minority by not having mine!
* Loved seeing kids making deals - trades, trade & cash, straight cash - saw it all.
* Visited a booth where they specialized in Mantle (pics included) -- WOW!

Overall, it was a nice experience. I walked the entire venue in 6 hours - 13,500 steps and saw every booth. I won't wait 3 years for my next National but can say, I wouldn't be making special trips to Chicago or the West Coast to attend That's just me..... and I'm a little spoiled having the Philly Show in my backyard as well.

[mrreality68]

Great recap Carl and thanks for sharing some photos

Interesting that some dealers were thinking about not setting up for another day regardless of location.
We might think a location is bad but even the back wall facing the wall those dealers were all packed with people.
I guess if they sold all their good stuff or if they only have “ unremarkable stuff” then they were not making money