Looking for opinions on a new strictly vintage card show

[Exhibitman]

it is a great idea but the financial barriers to entry are significant. We (two friends and me) tried it in Los Angeles pre-COVID and lasted three shows. The biggest challenge is getting a reasonably-priced venue. Paying too much for the facility will kill you before you start because your administrative overhead costs are staggering: venue, business license fees, insurance, equipment and material rental, advertising, etc. I lost money every show despite basically selling out. it is also a ton of work.

[Rhotchkiss]

Our hope is that the get together we are putting on outside of DC can effectively become this, except it will never be a “show”, but more of a place for like-minded prewar/vintage to get together and to see what happens. We will see how it goes this year and maybe it will grow. Neither Andrew nor I have any profit motive - in fact we are paying for it all (not food) and not collecting a dime. So let’s see how it shakes out and grow from there

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Our hope is that the get together we are putting on outside of DC can effectively become this, except it will never be a “show”, but more of a place for like-minded prewar/vintage to get together and to see what happens. We will see how it goes this year and maybe it will grow. Neither Andrew nor I have any profit motive - in fact we are paying for it all (not good) and not collecting a dime. So let’s see how it shakes out and grow from there

While I won't be able to attend, I just want to say that I'm happy there are people in the hobby who are both willing and able to create an event like that.

The stamp club I'm in does a tiny show, and while it's not expensive, there's a lot of work promoting it. Just sticking labels and stamps on the postcards we mail out takes more time that anyone would imagine.
(Church hall, I forget exactly, but costs for the whole show all in are under $1000 and we make maybe a couple hundred.)

[JamesGallo]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Our hope is that the get together we are putting on outside of DC can effectively become this, except it will never be a “show”, but more of a place for like-minded prewar/vintage to get together and to see what happens. We will see how it goes this year and maybe it will grow. Neither Andrew nor I have any profit motive - in fact we are paying for it all (not good) and not collecting a dime. So let’s see how it shakes out and grow from there

What is this gathering you speak of?

I wen to the last Philly show and IMO there was a ton of modern, I found one dealer with a handful of Cracker Jacks and that was it.

I will see how the March show is as I have expanded to collecting a few more sets but certainly WAY more modern and pre war was the bottom of the barrel as there was a lot of 50s-70s stuff.

James G

[Rhotchkiss]

James, hear the link to the thread. We have been talking about for months. I hope you can attend

https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=326892