Spent Saturday at the National...
1. It now costs $25 just to walk in. That's $50 for my son and me. That's $50 I won't spend at some dealers' tables. It'll probably be $30 the next time the National rolls around to Chicago. It's quickly pricing itself out of the reach of many fans.
2. Had decent success selling the few items I brought. Still have a Ron Santo Pro's Pizza card and a couple of St. Louis football Cardinals phantom playoff tickets. Sold another Santo Pro's Pizza (not as good of condition as the one I still have), a couple of Kelly's Zip pins of Kaline and Marichal from 1969, three 1950's mini pennants, 64 Bears press guide and an early 70's Dale Tallon Canucks puzzle in box with original wrapping.
3. Bought an early 70's Billy Williams hitting record album. I've actually been looking for it for awhile. Picked up 3 issues of Vineline that I needed. Only 11 to go to have the full run. A 1959 Jet magazine and a 1960 Baseball Album, both with Ernie Banks on the cover. A couple of Who's Who with Ryne Sandberg on the cover, and an early 70's pennant of the WFL's Chicago Fire. While happy with my purchases, I left with a lot of money in my pocket.
4. Many dealers had only graded cards, so I didn't look at their tables. Many others had boxes to search. No time for that. The corporate booths are of no interest. Given all that, there was plenty of time to get through all the rest.
5. Came in hoping to find a Ken Holtzman model glove, and also one of Jim Hickman. Found neither. Also looking for Ken Johnson signed ball and photo (8x10 as a Cub). Found neither.
6. Certainly saw a lot of quality collectibles and memorabilia.
7. Dealers who don't have prices on their items burn me. I found one item in particular and the guy quoted me a price. My son went by a little later and gave him another price... and the two weren't that close. Are these guys just making up prices as they go?
8. Started looking at some autographed Cubs photos. The dealer said, "You a Cubs fan?" I said yes. He then said, "You have my sympathies. They suck." I then left his table. Why be an ass when you're trying to lure customers?
9. Overall, I thought the crowd was weak. Seemed like a lot of people when the show started, but once they spread out throughout the building, it wasn't that busy. With about three hours left, there weren't many at all and some dealers were already packing up at about 4:30 when the show ended at 6.
10. Had no inclination to seek out autographs. The prices on most were outrageous. Again, that might draw some people to the show, but it takes a lot of money off the floor.
11. Next year in Cleveland, then Atlantic City, then back to Chicago. It's getting to the point where the admission price is about to keep me from attending. The fall of spring Sun Times shows cost $10, and, while not as big, generally have more of the items that I'm interested in.
1. It now costs $25 just to walk in. That's $50 for my son and me. That's $50 I won't spend at some dealers' tables. It'll probably be $30 the next time the National rolls around to Chicago. It's quickly pricing itself out of the reach of many fans.
2. Had decent success selling the few items I brought. Still have a Ron Santo Pro's Pizza card and a couple of St. Louis football Cardinals phantom playoff tickets. Sold another Santo Pro's Pizza (not as good of condition as the one I still have), a couple of Kelly's Zip pins of Kaline and Marichal from 1969, three 1950's mini pennants, 64 Bears press guide and an early 70's Dale Tallon Canucks puzzle in box with original wrapping.
3. Bought an early 70's Billy Williams hitting record album. I've actually been looking for it for awhile. Picked up 3 issues of Vineline that I needed. Only 11 to go to have the full run. A 1959 Jet magazine and a 1960 Baseball Album, both with Ernie Banks on the cover. A couple of Who's Who with Ryne Sandberg on the cover, and an early 70's pennant of the WFL's Chicago Fire. While happy with my purchases, I left with a lot of money in my pocket.
4. Many dealers had only graded cards, so I didn't look at their tables. Many others had boxes to search. No time for that. The corporate booths are of no interest. Given all that, there was plenty of time to get through all the rest.
5. Came in hoping to find a Ken Holtzman model glove, and also one of Jim Hickman. Found neither. Also looking for Ken Johnson signed ball and photo (8x10 as a Cub). Found neither.
6. Certainly saw a lot of quality collectibles and memorabilia.
7. Dealers who don't have prices on their items burn me. I found one item in particular and the guy quoted me a price. My son went by a little later and gave him another price... and the two weren't that close. Are these guys just making up prices as they go?
8. Started looking at some autographed Cubs photos. The dealer said, "You a Cubs fan?" I said yes. He then said, "You have my sympathies. They suck." I then left his table. Why be an ass when you're trying to lure customers?
9. Overall, I thought the crowd was weak. Seemed like a lot of people when the show started, but once they spread out throughout the building, it wasn't that busy. With about three hours left, there weren't many at all and some dealers were already packing up at about 4:30 when the show ended at 6.
10. Had no inclination to seek out autographs. The prices on most were outrageous. Again, that might draw some people to the show, but it takes a lot of money off the floor.
11. Next year in Cleveland, then Atlantic City, then back to Chicago. It's getting to the point where the admission price is about to keep me from attending. The fall of spring Sun Times shows cost $10, and, while not as big, generally have more of the items that I'm interested in.
