Went to the National on Thursday, July 29. With no major shows in Chicago since November 2019, I had quite a bit of cash saved up and was really looking forward to this one. While I did come away with some treasures, in one word I would describe the show as "disappointing."
I went hoping to complete a 49 Bowman Cubs team set, complete a run of Cubs yearbooks (only vintage was 1956, the others were in the 2000's), pick up some modern Cubs programs, find a Denby cigar box of either Grimm or Hartnett, find some 36 or 37 Cubs News pamphlets, a Jim Hickman model Spalding glove and some auto balls I need from 1969, 1945 and 2016 players. I ended up accomplishing only one.
When I got into the show at 9:45 (if I had paid extra to get in at 9:30, I would have been pissed everyone else was let in 15 minutes later), I headed to the back of the room to meet with a long time dealer who lives about 45 minutes from me and whose wares are exclusively vintage, especially equipment. When he saw me, the first thing he said was, "You're not going to like this. I know what you collect, and it's not here." Sadly, he was mostly correct. There were plenty of tables full of stuff, if you were looking for graded cards or newer cards and unopened material. There were few with vintage material and even fewer that specialized in Chicago stuff. Not only that, but plenty of long time dealers were seen on the floor, looking to buy, and not set up to sell. Many of the dealers of these hoards of graded and new stuff were guys I'd never seen before who were having to rely on their copies of Beckett since most of their stuff wasn't priced.
The more I walked around, the more I had flashbacks to 1987 when, in my early 20's and living there, I would head to Chicago shows all the time and saw little more than 87 Donruss wax boxes and the like. How did that all turn out? I understand the drive for money, but haven't people learned anything? Hey, if you want to invest in this stuff, don't be surprised and don't complain when those $500 unopened boxes turn into 1988 Score packs and every new high dollar rookie turns into an 88 Fleer Gregg Jeffries.
Within the first three hours of being there, I hadn't spent a single dollar. I did end up staying until closing and came away with some nice stuff, but not what I originally looking for.
1. I did complete my 49 Bowman team set (3 high numbers). Now to try to whittle away those 52 Topps high numbered Cubs.
2. Picked up a 50 Bowman Bill Nicholson, which I only recently realized I was missing from my Swish collection.
3. One issue of Cubs News from 1936, Issue 1, number 7.
4. One early 50's Cubs pennant.
Total for these items, less than $70. However, I did land two others I wasn't necessarily looking for, but happy to come away with:
An Ernie Banks #14 flag that flew over the grandstand at Wrigley Field, complete with tagging and an authentication letter from Major League Baseball. I already own the left field retirement flag, so this one will look good handing from the ceiling of my attic. $500.
The other item was an empty, original Ernie Banks Hartland box. I would rate it at least good condition, which looks better when filled out with styrofoam. 'The dealer had it for sale with a statue inside, but agreed to remove the statue since their was no original neck tag. I already own the statue and tag, so getting the box really makes the set. Both dealers came after 4:00 pm with a 6:00 closing. $250.
I probably shouldn't complain, but I was hoping to land so much more and walked away with a large chunk of money. Can't see myself going back in a month when the spring Mounted Memories show is going to be held, and the regular November show just a couple months later. Can you say overkill?
Lots of people. Dealers saying it would be the largest National ever, with the exception of Anaheim. If I remember correctly, that came not long before the market crashed. Is the same going to happen? Part of me is hoping it does, because I collect and trade, not buy to resell and hope to get rich.
I went hoping to complete a 49 Bowman Cubs team set, complete a run of Cubs yearbooks (only vintage was 1956, the others were in the 2000's), pick up some modern Cubs programs, find a Denby cigar box of either Grimm or Hartnett, find some 36 or 37 Cubs News pamphlets, a Jim Hickman model Spalding glove and some auto balls I need from 1969, 1945 and 2016 players. I ended up accomplishing only one.
When I got into the show at 9:45 (if I had paid extra to get in at 9:30, I would have been pissed everyone else was let in 15 minutes later), I headed to the back of the room to meet with a long time dealer who lives about 45 minutes from me and whose wares are exclusively vintage, especially equipment. When he saw me, the first thing he said was, "You're not going to like this. I know what you collect, and it's not here." Sadly, he was mostly correct. There were plenty of tables full of stuff, if you were looking for graded cards or newer cards and unopened material. There were few with vintage material and even fewer that specialized in Chicago stuff. Not only that, but plenty of long time dealers were seen on the floor, looking to buy, and not set up to sell. Many of the dealers of these hoards of graded and new stuff were guys I'd never seen before who were having to rely on their copies of Beckett since most of their stuff wasn't priced.
The more I walked around, the more I had flashbacks to 1987 when, in my early 20's and living there, I would head to Chicago shows all the time and saw little more than 87 Donruss wax boxes and the like. How did that all turn out? I understand the drive for money, but haven't people learned anything? Hey, if you want to invest in this stuff, don't be surprised and don't complain when those $500 unopened boxes turn into 1988 Score packs and every new high dollar rookie turns into an 88 Fleer Gregg Jeffries.
Within the first three hours of being there, I hadn't spent a single dollar. I did end up staying until closing and came away with some nice stuff, but not what I originally looking for.
1. I did complete my 49 Bowman team set (3 high numbers). Now to try to whittle away those 52 Topps high numbered Cubs.
2. Picked up a 50 Bowman Bill Nicholson, which I only recently realized I was missing from my Swish collection.
3. One issue of Cubs News from 1936, Issue 1, number 7.
4. One early 50's Cubs pennant.
Total for these items, less than $70. However, I did land two others I wasn't necessarily looking for, but happy to come away with:
An Ernie Banks #14 flag that flew over the grandstand at Wrigley Field, complete with tagging and an authentication letter from Major League Baseball. I already own the left field retirement flag, so this one will look good handing from the ceiling of my attic. $500.
The other item was an empty, original Ernie Banks Hartland box. I would rate it at least good condition, which looks better when filled out with styrofoam. 'The dealer had it for sale with a statue inside, but agreed to remove the statue since their was no original neck tag. I already own the statue and tag, so getting the box really makes the set. Both dealers came after 4:00 pm with a 6:00 closing. $250.
I probably shouldn't complain, but I was hoping to land so much more and walked away with a large chunk of money. Can't see myself going back in a month when the spring Mounted Memories show is going to be held, and the regular November show just a couple months later. Can you say overkill?
Lots of people. Dealers saying it would be the largest National ever, with the exception of Anaheim. If I remember correctly, that came not long before the market crashed. Is the same going to happen? Part of me is hoping it does, because I collect and trade, not buy to resell and hope to get rich.
drives me crazy how expensive things are, I can’t afford to spend the money these guys charge.
