After missing the past couple of shows due to scheduling conflicts, I made it back to Chicago this past weekend for the summer Mounted Memories/Chicago Sun Times show.
Other than a very pleasant exchange with Dan Hampton, it was one of the worst shows I've ever attended.
The number of dealers in attendance was about 60% of the norm, and a number of Illinois and Wisconsin based dealers I normally see and do business with were not there. The lack of dealers the past couple of summers seems to be a result of National coming up, as one very good dealer out of Iowa told me he was headed to Baltimore instead of Chicago.
In addition, I bought absolutely NOTHING! And, I collect Chicago Cubs stuff! There was previous little quality Cubs material on display and what I did find was either in lesser condition than I would desire or vastly overpriced (which is often the case at major Chicago shows from out of state dealers).
The autograph guest list was, however, quite impressive. Unfortunately, I doubt a lot of money was made as attendance, in my opinion, was WAY lower than in past years, and this was on Saturday, which generally is the busiest day of the weekend. As I said, I had a great experience talking with Dan Hampton when I approached him to have a lithograph signed. However, I don't think there were many more than 100 tickets sold for him. Dick Butkus and Steve McMichael, both seated on either side of Hampton, had better lines but nothing like I've seen in the past.
Former Sox outfielder Aaron Rowand was a cancellation (and would sign a couple days later at a mall in Schaumburg), as was Jennie Finch. Otherwise, I didn't hear of any other changes.
I would be curious to hear from others, especially those who attended Friday night when current Cubs Starlin Castro and Brian LaHair were to have signed (but the Cubs had a rain delay earlier in the afternoon) or Sunday when Peyton Manning ($199 for flats) and John Elway ($149) were to have been there, along with Ditka, Urlacher and Hester from the Bears and Andre Dawson and Ernie Banks.
Headed to St. Louis next month for a three day show, the first trip to St. Louis since FanFest and National were held there years ago.
Other than a very pleasant exchange with Dan Hampton, it was one of the worst shows I've ever attended.
The number of dealers in attendance was about 60% of the norm, and a number of Illinois and Wisconsin based dealers I normally see and do business with were not there. The lack of dealers the past couple of summers seems to be a result of National coming up, as one very good dealer out of Iowa told me he was headed to Baltimore instead of Chicago.
In addition, I bought absolutely NOTHING! And, I collect Chicago Cubs stuff! There was previous little quality Cubs material on display and what I did find was either in lesser condition than I would desire or vastly overpriced (which is often the case at major Chicago shows from out of state dealers).
The autograph guest list was, however, quite impressive. Unfortunately, I doubt a lot of money was made as attendance, in my opinion, was WAY lower than in past years, and this was on Saturday, which generally is the busiest day of the weekend. As I said, I had a great experience talking with Dan Hampton when I approached him to have a lithograph signed. However, I don't think there were many more than 100 tickets sold for him. Dick Butkus and Steve McMichael, both seated on either side of Hampton, had better lines but nothing like I've seen in the past.
Former Sox outfielder Aaron Rowand was a cancellation (and would sign a couple days later at a mall in Schaumburg), as was Jennie Finch. Otherwise, I didn't hear of any other changes.
I would be curious to hear from others, especially those who attended Friday night when current Cubs Starlin Castro and Brian LaHair were to have signed (but the Cubs had a rain delay earlier in the afternoon) or Sunday when Peyton Manning ($199 for flats) and John Elway ($149) were to have been there, along with Ditka, Urlacher and Hester from the Bears and Andre Dawson and Ernie Banks.
Headed to St. Louis next month for a three day show, the first trip to St. Louis since FanFest and National were held there years ago.
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