Some random late night thoughts on the show - keeping in mind I left this afternoon and Wednesday was set-up and late early admission - public went in 10:00 am today. Also, after an initial 1 1/2 hour delay my plane took off - I arrived at my changeover late - but the plane was delayed by lack of a crew - we finally took off and 5 minutes into the flight fire alarms went off - the steward from whom one would expect calm was clearly distressed running the aisle with an extinguisher - we landed amid a half dozen emergency vehicles - waited another 2 hours for a plane and crew - not a great start. In any event - I spyed our fearless leader today sans his usual satchels filled with goodies. It looked like a small backpack was sufficient for his buys to this point. I met Peter Lalos, Richard Mason, David Rosenberg, Marty, and Gary Shultz for the first time - although we've done business in cyberspace. I am always a bit surprised when someone is very different than I imagined them to be on a personal level. If his wife ever kicks him to the curb I'd marry Marty if he'd have me - just for the entertainment and personae - Gary was really nice to deal with - someone I'd do business with anytime. On the flip side I got to say hello to people I've known for some time - Terry and Terry looked great although their booth wasn't the ususal giant menagerie (sp.?) of past shows - definately less material. When they can't find the great stuff it says something pretty strong about the availability of quality early material and underscores the hobby's pre-occupation with auction houses. Every time something hammers down in an auction house - the buyer's penalty tacks on 20% and there's no negotiating like at a live venue. Sometimes part of the fun is standing on one side of the table or the other. I bought a generals album from junior to go with my set of booklets for the time being and keep our "relationship" active . My friend (and ex-table partner) Glenn Mechanick waqs set up along with his bride. He brought his usual eclectic selection of cdv's/tintypes - high end esoteric baseball stuff - and a bit of 19th century non-sports. I'm always drawn to stuff as he's one of the few dealers that have such similar intrests. Always a pleasure to see him as we did our first national's together and I consider him a friend. I bought a super actress leather not embossed but printed for my type collection from him. I think I may have taken advantage of him I'll post a pic in a few days. DR had a nice selection of stuff and seemed to be buying. He has too much taste as I can't collect the "7"'s. Gary had one of my 3 missing N 43's and was quite fair. Maybe I'll be able to get my 3 missing sunny south cards from him - all boxing/wrestling related and it appears he'd be one of the only games in town. Seth Nedgeman was walking the show - I didn't see Jerry Spillman or Festie - Ron and Ron Vitro were there - Scott Gainor looked well and under Josh's umbrella - no longer selling on eBay and leaving his 20,000+ feedbacks behind (as well as the fees and headaches I imagine). Ron Oser looked the same as he did 15 years ago - Mastro looked older - didn't see Lifson. Couple of the major auction houses and companies had some high grade 19th century (mostly baseball) including some outragous N28's and N162's. Man those Goodwin cards are SWEET and in high grade they are simply spectacular. Jay Miller sporting a great goatee and looking quite happy. He has a book coming out about Old Judges - and not just base ball but the whole enchellada er enchalada argh - forget it. I'm guessing it will be an important piece of work - one that should be a part of any good card related library. Hard to believe there are still cards out there he doesn't have.... Last I saw him he was getting hammered by the graders at SGC. I'll finish this endless narrative with a comment about my experience with SGC. They have great customer service. Mike Goldberg was smooth and friendly as was the rest of the staff. I graded a Turkey Red (80) next day service for a reasonable fee. No surprises thank god. They ARE tough on certain technical (sometimes invisible) faults as evidenced by the grades I got on a few N43's. Fortunately the grades on what I think of as the quintessential set for me are really not important - just the eye appeal - I collect tobacco as art and the N43's have many other elements that make it appealing to me - like sentiment, rarity, historical and perceived importance. I submitted a bunch of other cards under the any NS card for 5$ promotion and will await them in the mail. I had brought some sport cards from non-sport sets and they jammed me for a LOT more than 5 bucks. I guess I understood the principle. PSA was busy but not like in past years - although I did leave the show early. One last note was the ease of setting-up at the national in Chicago and just getting to the center every day. I was across the street in one of the many nearby hotels and it took less than 10 minutes 'till I was inside. My room at the Doubletree was clean and the bed quite comfortable. The food at the show as with every venue sucked - Gotham steakhouse not bad but not great........ I'm happy I'm home - but I really had a pretty good time at the show - and there's nothing like it in the bit dim and dull southeast. The thrill of the hunt is most satisfying when it's done in person..... I'm sure I left a few things out as I'm tired. I'll post if I think of sumptin germain.
(edited to add with embaressment that I'm unsure of Marty's last name - I know it's either Quinn or Krim I'm sure he'd have a story about being invisible to people as a result of my momentary lapse...
This message has been edited by 1880nonsports on Aug 1, 2008 5:25 AM This message has been edited by 1880nonsports on Aug 1, 2008 5:19 AM
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I got a call from a NS collecting friend in Chicago saying that he wasn't finding much early era NSs, so he was using the time to fill out his vintage boxing collection. I assume he wasn't just trying to make me feel better for being stuck at home.
Best
Gary
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it WASN'T the registry guy so it was.....? Latest update from the show is that it was in general a lighter crowd at the tables than prior Fridays. Shout out to gentleman but bad luck Dan McKee who is going to send me the one Plow Boy Indian I need to finish my set which he snagged on eBay a few months ago. That's what I'm talkin' about! Also of note were the thousand of T206's available at many booths - graded and ungraded - and I didn't see even one beanie baby. There was quite a bit of football material that seemed to be staying right where it was. There was some later non-sports at a couple of tables - the most notable being the table of Wayne H. but not my thing. I didn't see Norm Showers or Festies ex - Brian Catequet. I had a couple of moments of sadness when I thought of Bob Bostoff, Dan Flanagan, Pete Gilleny, and one of the truely GREAT non-sport collectors Don Stienbach whom I would never see at the show again. Forgive me if I've spelled the names wrong but RIP........
(edited to add - after seeing Tom's post and dem generals - I should have mentioned JC - husband of Tammy and his tablemate who did have some older NS including those tougher large generals. While at his table I met Rich Weatherbee - a frequent eBay seller of non-sports cards.
This message has been edited by 1880nonsports on Aug 1, 2008 11:13 PM
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later. Lots of 'N' cards from Bob Marcy and more stuff......
Anyway.....It's over. My 17th National in a row concluded with dinner tonite at Harry Carey's. In the room now getting stuff ready to head out tomorrow at 0700. 4-5 hour drive to Louisville from Chicago, so not that bad......
Overall great show. Picked up a lot of stuff and got some nice scarce stuff in trade for a lot of dupes that I'd been holding on to. Met a TON of people from both the baseball side and non-sports side. All great people. As for the actual show, there were about 10 dealers with anything to amount to anything in regards to nonsports. As usual, Bob Marcy had the best setup of the show. Bob and his wife are VERY helpful and friendly and I hit the table quite a few times from Tuesday till today. As for the cards, they fell pretty much the way the baseball does. Very few dealers with 19th century stuff, a few more with 1930's stuff and most with 1950's stuff. Guess it's all based on supply.....NOTHING was cheap it seemed. Especially so on the baseball side.
If you've never been to a National, you gotta go...........
Will post more pictures of pickups later AND.......for the HOPPY fans........will post pictures of a complete set of Hoppy Foils.......NOPE.....I didn't get them. They were $2000 and a little out of my budget or scope.........
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first 10 in my collection but it included Grant. About VGEX to EX on most...........couple with hairline wrinkles......one with a heavy 1 inch corner crease.
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Now I understand why there was so little at the show - TOM !!! - Nice stuff..
Met Henry at the show and had a great time talking with him..I see that I made MY usual great impression as he forgot my last name.
Normal occurance though - here is a typical and (mostly) true synopsis of a call to a seller in The Wrapper..as it happened the first of numerous times to me -
Ring, Ring, Ring...Hello
Hi, This is Marty Krim...I am calling about your ad on....
Is this REALLY you Marty..... Wow, You're a LEGEND in the Non-Sport field.
I am ???
Of course you are.
(Now I'm starting feel like I AM actually a full 5'7")
How can I help YOU ??
Well, do you still have the 1959 Stooge card #87.
Why do you want THAT !!
I need it.
But it's only Excellent.
Great, I need it
But it's not Registry material
What do I care about the Registry?
Ha, Ha, very funny..How many sets do you have on the Registry ?
I have NONE.
Why won't you tell me ?
I will, I have NONE.
I've read all about your Registry sets.
I have no Registry sets - who do you think your speaking with ?
Marty Quinn
This is Marty Krim
(A little angry now)..I know, that's what I JUST SAID !!
No, Marty K-R-I-M
Marty KRIM - Who are you ??
Ahh, now I'm on familiar territory.
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yes henry it's marty krim you met, i spoke with marty awhile back and he told me that story (above) very funny, the way he tells it is even funnier, lol, marty please send me an email and refresh my memory of what we talked about?? im 40 and losing it already......tom thats not bad stuff!! the sea raiders look real nice!!! aahhh the days of going to englishtown n.j. and getting shoe boxes of vintage cards for $5 bucks are loooong gone.....how about getting great cards in the bargain box at shows....a $1 each....bring back the good ol days....sorry to say never again.
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It was so much fun being at the National. Meeting and visiting collectors / dealers that I had purchased from, sold to and traded with were highlights. It was so nice to put faces with the names and personalities! Tom, Henry, Dave, Brent, Bob, Mark, Glen, Gary, Peter, Jay, Bill, Darrell, Turner, TIKs, and many more. Meeting in person really brings the hobby full circle for me and can't wait for the show in Cleveland next year and still have not unpacked. I managed to sell and purchase quite a diverse group of non sports cards both high grade and low grade...yep....you read that right low grade beaters including (4) cabinets. However, if Tom did not buy up most of the best items on the floor by mid day Wednesday, it might have been more fruitful. Just kidding; plenty of great items to go around. The buying highlights for me included (slightly overpaying) for 3 Allen & Ginter women cyclist cabinets and a stunning Virginia Brights Cigarette Making Girls cabinet, a mini find of (12 or so) off grade (the fronts looks nice) Lone Jack famous people and buildings (likely my best find) to go with 25 or so super clean N cards for set fillers, high grade Sea Raiders and R73 Indians, my first Dare Devils card (PSA 5), N165 Canoeing SGC 84, trading N dupes and gem 66 Tarzans for several high grade N cards, trading (2) Yum Yum Presidents and cash for a very nice T229 PET Aviator, and grading several 1933 Sport Kings receiving a 7.5. While at the show, I also purchased many more non sports cards and pending deals but do not want to bore you with the sordid details. The SGC and PSA crews could not have been nicer. Another highlight for me was witnessing Bob sell his amazing Near Mint+ (7.50) N2 Indian set all PSA graded for well over $40,000 (the exact # omitted for privacy reasons). I might have shed a tear if it was my set. This has to be (1) of the top (10) non sports card sets and sales of all time. I would like to extend a thank you to all of you in attendance for making the 2008 National a great experience.
edited for spelling...oops
This message has been edited by barry_bonds on Aug 5, 2008 9:47 AM
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. My friend (and ex-table partner) Glenn Mechanick waqs set up along with his bride. He brought his usual eclectic selection of cdv's/tintypes - high end esoteric baseball stuff - and a bit of 19th century non-sports. I'm always drawn to stuff as he's one of the few dealers that have such similar intrests. Always a pleasure to see him as we did our first national's together and I consider him a friend. I bought a super actress leather not embossed but printed for my type collection from him. I think I may have taken advantage of him 
I'm sure he'd have a story about being invisible to people as a result of my momentary lapse... 
