Philly Show this weekend...

[Potomac Yank]

Willow Grove ..... Who needed a National?

The best part ... if it was possible to top that show ... was what happened after the show.

I can recall a show that Bill Mastro was not set up in the show, but he did have a briefcase with him.
He walked around that show, and handed out to people he knew, a baseball like size & shape business card ... with his name and hotel room number.
At one of those gathering's, I picked up a brown T206 Lenox.
Till this day, I don't know which was better ... the show, or the gathering?
I still have a couple of those baseball shaped business cards, and that brown T206 Lenox.

Have luck at the Philly show.

[Bobsbats]

My father and I attended the show on Sat. There was a lot of vintage material as usual, but I heard something from one of the vendors that I thought I would never hear at a "Willow Grove" show. She said," Not all of the best dealers are hear this weekend"......This show used to be the best of the best, and while it is still the best show that my father and I attend (unless the National is close), and we still see great things...... its different now. Has Ebay changed these shows? Has the fact that everyone now has and Auction house changed things? Yeah, I still saw dealers there that I have seen since I was 10 yrs. old, but I didn't see dealers that I have for years and that NEVER missed that show.

[Rich Klein]

But; he NEVER scheduled the show to run during a Jewish holiday. In fact; he was very careful to avoid any such conflict. For anyone who is Jewish and setting up at this show; it might be very difficult to get back in time for Kol Nidre.
Just something for Hunt Auctions to consider for the future; especially if that affects dealers/customers in any way.

Rich

[docpatlv]

I only attended the show on Friday, so I can only speak from that experience. As I walked around the show, I noticed a few things:

1. Pre-war material was definitely there, although prices as usual seemed high. Lots of nice cards there (tobacco, caramel, cabinets, type cards, PCs, etc.). As mentioned, the T208s were a sight to see.

2. It seemed as though there were very few collectors there. I don't know if it was because it was Fri. evening, or the economy, but it seemed kind of dead. Many dealers sitting around with no customers and exasperated looks on their faces. I'm not sure if I even saw one kid under 12-13 y.o. the whole time I was there. That just can't be a good sign.

3. There seemed to be no excitement in the crowd, no sense of anticipation or eagerness from those waiting to get in. I remember at Ft. Wash there always seemed to be a "buzz" in the air as people waited to get in. Not so at the KOP show.

4. I know many hated the Reading site, maybe more so for location than venue, but I just don't like the KOP convention center. It seems so dark, and I just don't like the whole set-up.

5. I was finished looking after less than 2 hours. Normally, it would take a good 3-4 hours for me to look around on a Friday. There seemed to be an absence of some dealers who used to set up at Ft. Wash. If I wasn't waiting for a card to be slabbed at SGC, I would have left before 7pm.

6. Many nice dealers, but also the usual charming guys who don't even look up when you're perusing their merchandise. Also dealers who would rather chat with their buddies than make a sale. I waited a couple of times to ask a dealer a question, but after waiting a couple of minutes I just moved on. It's a shame, because I came home with a pocket still full of cash.

This is just my experience. I'm sure others have differing opinions, but I thought I'd share. It seems like it has changed so much even in the last three years. I've attended almost every show since around 1993 and although I like having less competition for cards, it's a little disheartening to see what the show has become. Hopefully Sat and today are better.

Mike

[danmckee]

I was set up for the last time. I think the show has a dead atmosphere. Roger Nuefeldt a long time and full time dealer refused to do it and was smart. My VIP booth cost $1350 which is National prices and no one is buying unless they can beat you to death on price. I know the economy had a lot to do with it but that show has just been changed. I think for worse for the vintage dealers.

Anyway, I may shop it in December or March but I even doubt that.

I actually did ok, a bit better than the last time in Valley Forge, but not anywhere comparable to even my worst show at Reading.

Say what you want about ole Bob, but he knew how to run a great show!

I heard that the Gun show that was in the same exact building and floor last time only charged $60 a table.

I think I will start selling guns.

[toppcat]

Dealers like Roger Neufeldt passing on the Philly show do not bode well for its future as a mecca for quality items. This is depressing but inevitable. Hopefully things will pick up or table fees will be lowered or else the National will be all that's left.

[thegashousegang]

Dan, I didn't realize a VIP booth was that much. Wow. I agree, it was pretty dull in there...even at peak time on Saturday. I'm sure the economy did keep the attendance down a bit, but it was still disappointing. Put it this way, while browsing a fellow board members booth, I looked next to me and Johnny Bench was going thru some old memorabilia...without practically a soul even noticing him! Being respectful of him, I didn't want to bother asking for a pic but I would have expected more of a reaction from at least a few people. That being said, the show is a short ride for me so I'll continue to attend. But, I really don't expect much from the shows.

[danmckee]

Yea I am bummed, I really looked forward to the Philly shows to see people and find neat items. I would like to do a show in March and October but there really isn't many choices. May just have to hang up the show biz and just list all of my cards on ebay without dates in the title and starting at .99 in the cards category. Oh and I had a double booth.