Some National Thoughts

[Oldtix]

From 1986 to 2001, I was an exhibitor at 11 Nationals. I returned to the National for the first time last week just as a fan and really enjoyed the experience. Here's my two cents from the perspective of "fresh eyes".

(1) I didn't see pogs, beanie babies pavillions, TV celebrity autograph guests, X-treme sports stunts or rabid buying of promo cards by lobby squatters. True, there was a ferris wheel...but nobody's perfect. Congratulations to all of us for beating those cancers into remission.

(2) I entered at 10 am Friday and finished seeing every table a half hour before closing time, even taking time to chat and grab a bite for lunch. That would never have been possible with the 1,000-plus tables of the boom years. Congratulations to the organizers for seeing that bigger isn't always better.

(3) With few exceptions, I felt that almost every exhibitor was genuinely interested in what they were selling. I'm sure there were mercenaries there, but nowhere near as many as in days gone by. Countless times I saw them sharing their knowledge and their wants with customers and with other dealers. The brotherhood of collectors seems to be strong; the Net54 dinner was terrific.

(4) We definitely have an aging collector base, but if addressing that takes us back to pogs and beanie babies...let us die off with our dignity and resist a relapse.

(5) The organizers did a fantastic job of mixing up the dealers. There was great variety from table to table; I never glazed over at repetitive themes in any aisles. And there weren't many tables of artificial "collectibles."

(6) There were extraordinary treasures as in the old days (and not just at the auction house booths). A novice would absolutely feel like they had visited Cooperstown. Whether they sold or not, I'm grateful to all who brought their best stuff to the show. And the focus of the show was the stuff, not the fluff.

In summary, it felt like a true National Sports Collectors Convention should feel. Sure, the hobby has issues as readers of these boards are well aware...but this collector's spirit was refreshed!

[Wite3]

I missed this year's National for no other reason than the economy. A flight from LA to Cleveland was expensive. Before people jump on me...I did check it out well in advance. How about putting a National in a city that is a flight hub like Pittsburgh, Atlanta, or Dallas. Cheaper airfare, hotels, and venues are probably more likely to be found in those cities.

I would love it to be in Vegas but there is resistance to that venue. Vegas really does have it all, Convention centers, cheap flights/hotels, good public transportation, entertainment for the whole family, etc.

Joshua

[buymycards]

Rich, I agree with several of your points. I wasn't able to make the National this year, but I attended the large show in Chicago a couple of weeks ago, and that experience mirrored the experience that I had a the Chicago national a couple of years back.

I live 4 hours from Chicago, so I left home early enough to get to the show when it opened at 10:00 on Sunday. Some of the dealers left on Saturday, and by noon on Sunday several tables were empty. By 2:00 most of the dealers started packing up and by 3:00 there were only a few dealers still selling cards.

8 hours driving
6 bucks in tolls
12 bucks parking
10 bucks to get in the show
32 bucks for gas
Food prices at the show were outrageous

I had several cards that I was looking for, but I felt that the prices on the cards that I wanted were completely out of line compared to the BST and ebay. I didn't buy a card until around 2:00.

I love the big shows, and I don't mind the drive, but it really ticks me off when the dealers leave early.

[Jewish-collector]

Daniel,

The National is not really for the financially challenged. My guess is that most of the "average" collectors who go to this show take between $2K and $5K looking for specific cards/memorabilia. It's all relative as I probably have the least amount to spend, so the $26 per day is a sizable chunk for me. But that's OK, because as Ronnie Milsap says, "I wouldn't miss it for the world".

We find EJM's comments about the East Coast and the plethora of advanced collectors to be an inane. Another “lower class commentary” from the same crowd that elected the government whose economic programs are sure to bankrupt America.

Wealthy, successful people have rights too. The joy of the National is having the opportunity to acquire truly unique items, and exchange collecting experiences with world class collectors.

Although we have not been able to attend the National for the past few years, we enjoyed 16 shows where we had the chance to see Four Base Hits, Texas Tommy's and an Old Judge advertising poster, and countless other rare items.

As for poor, pathetic EJM, when the National is New York City, we will provide him with a job cleaning bathrooms. Perhaps he will get lucky, and clean up after an advanced collector. That may be as close as he ever comes to tasting the joy of owning an ultra rare, high grade baseball card.

[Ejm1]

Originally Posted by Yankeefan51

We find EJM's comments about the East Coast and the plethora of advanced collectors to be an inane. Another “lower class commentary” from the same crowd that elected the government whose economic programs are sure to bankrupt America.

Wealthy, successful people have rights too. The joy of the National is having the opportunity to acquire truly unique items, and exchange collecting experiences with world class collectors.

Although we have not been able to attend the National for the past few years, we enjoyed 16 shows where we had the chance to see Four Base Hits, Texas Tommy's and an Old Judge advertising poster, and countless other rare items.

As for poor, pathetic EJM, when the National is New York City, we will provide him with a job cleaning bathrooms. Perhaps he will get lucky, and clean up after an advanced collector. That may be as close as he ever comes to tasting the joy of owning an ultra rare, high grade baseball card.

Thanks for the kind words. Maybe I'll get lucky and meet you someday.

[David W]

Originally Posted by Yankeefan51

We find EJM's comments about the East Coast and the plethora of advanced collectors to be an inane. Another “lower class commentary” from the same crowd that elected the government whose economic programs are sure to bankrupt America.

Wealthy, successful people have rights too. The joy of the National is having the opportunity to acquire truly unique items, and exchange collecting experiences with world class collectors.

Although we have not been able to attend the National for the past few years, we enjoyed 16 shows where we had the chance to see Four Base Hits, Texas Tommy's and an Old Judge advertising poster, and countless other rare items.

As for poor, pathetic EJM, when the National is New York City, we will provide him with a job cleaning bathrooms. Perhaps he will get lucky, and clean up after an advanced collector. That may be as close as he ever comes to tasting the joy of owning an ultra rare, high grade baseball card.

The joy of the National is having the opportunity to acquire truly unique items, and exchange collecting experiences with world class collectors.

Maybe for you, but not for me. And unfortunately for you, you're outnumbered, plus you don't even attend it anymore, so your opinion really doesn't matter anymore, does it?

[2dueces]

Originally Posted by Yankeefan51

We find EJM's comments about the East Coast and the plethora of advanced collectors to be an inane. Another “lower class commentary” from the same crowd that elected the government whose economic programs are sure to bankrupt America.

Wealthy, successful people have rights too. The joy of the National is having the opportunity to acquire truly unique items, and exchange collecting experiences with world class collectors.

Although we have not been able to attend the National for the past few years, we enjoyed 16 shows where we had the chance to see Four Base Hits, Texas Tommy's and an Old Judge advertising poster, and countless other rare items.

As for poor, pathetic EJM, when the National is New York City, we will provide him with a job cleaning bathrooms. Perhaps he will get lucky, and clean up after an advanced collector. That may be as close as he ever comes to tasting the joy of owning an ultra rare, high grade baseball card.

Please!!! Your last great President left a $1.3 trillion deficit and you say this administrations economic programs are sure to bankrupt America. If you have another thought on politics, do us all a favor and let it go. Just let it go.

[Ejm1]

Originally Posted by 2dueces

Please!!! Your last great President left a $1.3 trillion deficit and you say this administrations economic programs are sure to bankrupt America. If you have another thought on politics, do us all a favor and let it go. Just let it go.

Agreed.



Originally Posted by Yankeefan51
We find EJM's comments about the East Coast and the plethora of advanced collectors to be an inane. Another “lower class commentary” from the same crowd that elected the government whose economic programs are sure to bankrupt America.

Wealthy, successful people have rights too. The joy of the National is having the opportunity to acquire truly unique items, and exchange collecting experiences with world class collectors.

Although we have not been able to attend the National for the past few years, we enjoyed 16 shows where we had the chance to see Four Base Hits, Texas Tommy's and an Old Judge advertising poster, and countless other rare items.

As for poor, pathetic EJM, when the National is New York City, we will provide him with a job cleaning bathrooms. Perhaps he will get lucky, and clean up after an advanced collector. That may be as close as he ever comes to tasting the joy of owning an ultra rare, high grade baseball card.


I found out who this is so maybe if I can get off welfare and my probation officer lets me, I will ask for this job in person. In the mean time keep selling your sheet music Bruce.

[zork1974]

For those of us in Canada, our National is the Sportcard and Memorabilia Expo at the International Centre in Toronto. It happens twice a year with a focus on mainly hockey collectables.

My friend and I attend every show with money to spend, usually thousands of dollars. We scour the floor looking for any vintage baseball that we can get our hands on. If we're lucky, we might find 5 tables out of the 900+ where there might be something to purchase.

My point is this. How many of us will pony up $50 for a meal with the family? How many of us will spend $40+ to go to the movies with our kids? I spend $50+ to attend each of these card shows and I know there is a good chance I'll be leaving with nothing. To me, it's an experience that I can only have twice a year. For those of you who get to attend the National every year, I'm jealous. I would pay $26 in an instant just to see all that eye candy in one room.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Wite3

How about putting a National in a city that is a flight hub like Pittsburgh, Atlanta, or Dallas.

Cleveland is a hub for Continental, but I do understand that they may not provide enough convenient flights for everyone.

[Mrc32]

Originally Posted by Wite3

. How about putting a National in a city that is a flight hub like Pittsburgh, Atlanta, or Dallas. Cheaper airfare, hotels, and venues are probably more likely to be found in those cities.

Baltimore is a hub for Southwest Airlines. You should be able to get a reasonable flight.