Back from the National

[Tony Kozelichki]

Well, I basically found nothing at the National that I was looking for, yet came away VERY happy.

I had hoped the National would net me some 2016 Chicago Cubs items that I could display in my man attic, such as a replica World Series banner that was a stadium giveaway a couple of months back and the enlarged Sports Illustrated cover that I missed out on last January, plus some longtime wants including the Spalding Jim Hickman glove and the Tasco Bill Hands. None were found at all.

Instead, the money burning a hole in my pocket was put to good use:

An autographed baseball by 69 Cub Dick Selma (deceased since 2001)
An autographed baseball by 69 Cub Don Johnson (deceased since 2015 but refused to sign autographs for the previous 15 or so years)
Autographed 3x5s of 45 Cubs Claude Passeau and Joe Ostrowski
a 1960 light blue base Cubs bobble head AND
sheet music from 1907 titled Cubs on Parade (a tribute to Frank Chance)

While I left without any Ernie Banks or Ron Santo items to add to my collection, the additions are quite welcome and made the trip to Chicago well worth it.

Oh, and I also picked up a nice looking replica World Series ring that should blow my students' minds in another month.

Chicago nationals don't always mean quality Cubs stuff and it took a lot of looking to find what I did. I have to wonder whether I would have more success a year from now in Cleveland.

 

[bdink25]

A couple of questions?? How long were you at the show?? Was it busy?? What seemed to be the main focus of the show(I.E. vintage, new, collectibles)?? $0.02 worth, go to Cleveland. Butch

 

[Tony Kozelichki]

I was at the show for seven hours. The main focus appeared to be vintage with lots of graded cards, which made it easy for me to pass over. Also, far too many $1 and quarter and dime boxes that had to be searched, some without sports designation and virtually none sorted by team. It seemed crowded at first but it died out after 1:00 or maybe it was because I got to the back of the room. Still, not too crowded for the first full day. Thanks for the questions. I hope I answered them adequately.

 

[bdink25]

Thanks. I'm from Pittsburgh and was thinking of going but work got slow and I could fund it. I've been to a couple other Nationals over the years and they've been fun. May go to Cleveland. Little closer. Butch

I was at the show for seven hours. The main focus appeared to be vintage with lots of graded cards, which made it easy for me to pass over. Also, far too many $1 and quarter and dime boxes that had to be searched, some without sports designation and virtually none sorted by team. It seemed crowded at first but it died out after 1:00 or maybe it was because I got to the back of the room. Still, not too crowded for the first full day. Thanks for the questions. I hope I answered them adequately.

 

[David K.]

Love reading your reports about the Nationals! Any news about Future Nationals and maybe one year they will return to the West Coast? Does not have to be Anaheim......San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle??? Best regards, David

 

[Tony Kozelichki]

To the best of my knowledge, next year is in Cleveland then back to Chicago in 2019.

 

[katester44]

To the best of my knowledge, next year is in Cleveland then back to Chicago in 2019.

Nice report - glad you were able to find some good stuff.

Would like to get to it next year in Cleveland, but something tells me I will need to wait until it comes back to Baltimore to have a shot at going again.