Saturday, November 7, 2020, Salvation Army Community Center, Oak Creek, WI

All of these daily COVID news reports are starting to scare the daylights out of me. I was very worried that the Salvation Army would cancel the show because the Wisconsin COVID numbers are skyrocketing. Many others felt the same way based on the large number of inquiries I received leading up to the show.

Adding to my fear was one dealer cancelling because he had contracted COVID. Three other dealers cancelled because they were sick but did not know whether they had COVID. Two more dealers cancelled because they had been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID. One dealer cancelled because he was watching the numbers, like me, and got spooked.

Thankfully, I never got that call from the Salvation Army. However, this particular show was especially difficult to do. I had all those COVID-related dealer cancellations then a number of other dealers cancelled in the days leading up to the show for other reasons. Ugh!

The COVID-related cancellations appear to be the new norm. The non-COVID related cancellations just suck. I need to be able to turn in an accurate table count to the Salvation Army early in the week so they can properly set up the tables before Saturday. It is just impossible to do with so many cancellations. Thankfully, I seem to have an endless waiting list of dealers so I can plug folks in shortly after receiving a cancellation... but it still sucks and is a ton of extra work.

I am tossing around some ideas to stem the dealer cancellations. One is I make everybody pay in advance and you lose your table fee if you cancel. Two, those that cancel without a legitimate reason, can't reserve a table again, they may opt for the waiting list but I will never again allow them to reserve a table a head of time.

Option one is tough because it creates  lot of extra accounting work for me. Option two, may just work out. So for now on, any dealer that cancels without a legitimate reason, will not be allowed to reserve a table ahead of time and can only be on the waiting list. Repeat offenders will just be banned.

I have the luxury of being somewhat harsh because I am overwhelmed with dealers. It is a rare show where I can get everyone who calls for a table into the show. I am amazed and appreciative of the popularity of the show which continues to grow, even during the pandemic. It boggles my mind at the number of dealers that are out there. Where were you guys in 2015 when I was struggling to find dealers?

It is a new era,  the December 5 show is already sold out of dealer tables. So anyone that wants to get on the waiting list needs send me an email at abrandongordon@hotmail.com. I was able to get everybody on the November waiting list into the show. I am hopeful that I don't have the same number of cancellations for December as I did for November. Man alive! But if you want your name on the waiting list, let me know, I will most likely be able to get you into the show.

Would you mind if I complain some more? Thanks! Cancellations aside, these dealers are so needy! In four decades of setting up at shows, I rarely asked a promoter for a certain location in the room. I don't care where my tables are located. Just give me a couple of tables, I'll set up my stuff and I'm good. Not so with my Salvation Army dealers. Gee whiz! I am overwhelmed with dealers requesting certain locations within the building. I just can't do it. For one, I don't set up the room. The staff at the Salvation Army sets it up on Thursday before the show. They never set it up quite the same. Often, I have to rearrange many of the tables to match my constantly fluctuating dealer list on the morning of the show. Then there are the number of dealers who arrive early, hindering my ability to arrange the room. Dealers! Please don't show up before 8 a.m. I need some time to properly arrange the tables and to place the dealer nameplates on the tables.

Anyway, the rooms are set up differently each month, so when dealers ask for the same spot, I don't know if that spot will actually be there for the next show. Plus, there is no way for me to chart the rooms because they are set up differently every month. It is just too hard for me to commit to giving anyone the same spot each month. All I can do is try. 

Along those lines, everybody wants to be in the gym. I don't have enough space to place all the dealers in the gym. I figure the fairest way to do it is to give the gym to the dealers that set up every single month. So, if you are a new dealer, you are most likely going to be placed in the meeting room or the hallway. When one of the gym dealers drops out, I can move you into the gym.

Regardless, I think many dealers place far too much emphasis on location. I have been selling cards since the late 1970's, and have probably set up at thousands of shows at this point, and not once did I feel my location made any difference in my sales. My sales depend on the number of customers at the show, the quality of my merchandise and my pricing. Also, being friendly goes a long way. Nobody wants to stop at a table manned by the Grinch.

For the November show, I gave myself, what most would consider, the worst tables at the show, which were the tables located furthest from the front door and the last two tables anyone who attended the show viewed as they left the building. You know what? I had a phenomenal day selling cards. I had five or more guys pulling cards out of my binders all day long. I don't need to be in the gym and I am really tired of guys asking for specific locations because it is a real hassle for me and I do not believe it will improve sales one bit. Plus, I am just one person who is trying to sell cards along with managing 40 needy dealers and 500-plus customers. I can only do so much. Rant over.

While it was stressful at times, I really had a great day and overall really enjoyed myself at the November show. I was too busy selling cards at my tables to walk around the show, so I do not have a whole lot of observations as to what occurred. We seemed to have a nice flow of traffic in the hallway where I was set up.

Seemed like we had more people at the November show than we had in October. Dealer reports on sales varied. Some dealers reported outstanding sales while others reported average. A few guys reported that their November sales were down from October. My sales were up and a big thank you to the multitudes of guys that bought cards from me. Also, a big thank you to my helpers, my daughter Tabitha and my friend Jason. I would not have been able to have a table then manage the show without Tabitha and Jason. Thanks guys!

With my pockets brimming with cash, I was not shy when it came to buying. I bought just about everything folks brought to me at my tables. I picked up some vintage Pittsburgh Pirates from Jim. I got some 1969 Topps Decals from Bruce. A new customer sold me some 1951 Topps Red Backs, and I picked up some 1957 mid-series from Terry. Thanks guys.

At noon at every show, I go from table to table collecting table fee. Well, my collections process turned into a buying spree at the November show. I purchased a binder of 1960's commons from Eric, a box with all sorts of stuff from Jeff, including 1962 Topps football, and the piece de resistance -- a 1954 Bowman Mickey Mantle and a 1954 Bowman Willie Mays from Bill, with an assist from Tim.

If you recall, back in March, when shows were shut down, I decided to fill the time building a 1954 Bowman set via eBay. Wow! It turned out to be a really frustrating process. I have been down to just two cards to complete the set for months, the Mantle and Mays. I was consistently outbid on eBay for the cards. Earlier I ended up purchasing a Yogi Berra from Tim on eBay and asked if he had the Mantle and Mays, which he didn't. But on this day, Tim saw the cards in Bill's case and even brought over the Mantle. I eventually went over to Bill's table and purchased both cards at a nice price and my set is now complete!!! I never thought I would complete that thing. Wow!

This little pandemic set build taught me a lot about eBay and card shows. I learned that card shows are a superior place to purchase cards over eBay. While the selection may not be the same, the pricing and ability to view and hold the card in person can't be overstated. Plus, no sniping!! Man, it felt good to complete that '54 Bowman set!!

Overall, I had a really great day, one that seemed to fly by (though if you ask my daughter, it went very slowly). I am looking forward to the December 5th show. I already have 40 dealers lined up on 65 tables. Dealers from November who did not confirm and want in on December, you need to confirm quickly. I will start to give away your tables as I build a waiting list.

I recently created a Frequently Asked Questions section on this site. Click on FAQ tab above. I'm hopeful the FAQ will help limit the multitudes of calls, texts and messages in the week leading up to the show. See you December 5th!

On a final note, I received a request from collector Wayne Villarrubia, who lives in New Orleans, for help completing his 1962 Jello set. Wayne informed me that the 1962 Jello set was a regional set, only distributed in Wisconsin and Illinois. He is seeking the following short-printed cards: 

1 Skowron, 13 Stafford, 63 Pagliaroni, 69 Keough, 70 Tasby, 95 Stephens, 112 Gilliam, 113 Larker, 115 Williams, 116 Coleman, 179 Law, 180 Haddix, and 181 Hal Smith.
​
"I am also interested in the other 8, if any pop up. Here are the other 8 SPs : 2 Richardson, 117 Freese, 118 Blasingame, 156 Maye, 157 Spangler, 166 Flood, 167 Simmons, and 168 Grammas. These 2 are not quite as rare, but still tough : 84 Martin and 143 Miller."

Wayne can be reached at the following emails: 
cannonballsun@msn.com or cannonballsun@gmail.com.

Sunday, November 1, 2020, Woodfield Hyatt, Schaumburg, IL

In the weeks leading up to the show, the Illinois governor upped his COVID restrictions. First the restaurants and bars were shut down in DuPage and Kane counties, then Cook, then Lake and McHenry. Stores and the like were limited to 25% capacity. I figured the show would be cancelled but I never received a call from the promotor, and others I talked to said the show was a go.

After a night of dishing out candy for Halloween and a surprising number of trick-or-treaters in my little burg, I struggled to wake up and get to the show. I made it there around 8 a.m. and thankfully observed that the show was indeed a go. I may be one of the few that happens to support the Illinois governor and his COVID restrictions. We are in a pandemic, people are dying. I've had two clients die. This thing is real no matter what the Looney Tune deniers say or do.

But while I do support the governor, I, like many others, am having a tough time adhering to the mandated restrictions, even though I know better. This pandemic has made me realize that I am incapable of going cold turkey when it comes to certain things. Big Gov. P needs to enforce his mandate so people like me, who just can't help themselves, will adhere to the restrictions. I admire folks with self-control. I struggle with diabetes because of a lack of self control. For example, I know that foods like potatoes increase my blood sugar more than candy bars but I just can't stop eating potatoes. I love the freakin' things and I have been eating them my whole life. Diabetes and this pandemic have given me a lot of insight into addiction, self-control and my own failings.

Yes, I am addicted to card shows. Somehow I made it six months without going to a show. I don't know if I can do that again. Thankfully, it looks like the Schaumburg show and my Salvation Army show can run during the pandemic.

I find it easier to attend these shows knowing there are precautions in place. Everyone generally wears a mask. There is hand sanitizer available and I use it. The tables are spread out. I did not have any issues Sunday breathing with the mask on all day but the straps did start to hurt my ears around noon and the last hour was a struggle.

Achy ears aside, I had such a nice day hanging out with Lou and Don at the Schaumburg show. The crowd was down from last month and we had a lot of extra time to chat. Lou has so many good stories from the old days of card shows going to back to the old Chicagoland Sports Collectors Association from the 1970's. It is really fun to reminisce. While chatting, I observed that we were more than six-feet apart and wearing masks. I feel fine now and hopefully none of us catch the COVID!

I want to talk about my friend Lou a little more. Like me, he suffers from diabetes and has been to hell and back the past few years. Diabetes is just an awful disease and Lou has been hit hard by it. I am so thankful that he is back setting up at shows after a long hiatus due to his diabetes.

Lou is good people, a rare character that I am so lucky to know. While we were sitting at the show Sunday talking, I came to realize just what a great friend Lou is and how he's always watching out for me. Case in point -- that hub bub with John Leary. Back when John Leary came after me, out of the blue, when Mark Smith and I started what is now my Salvation Army show, Lou was one of the few guys that came to our defense and told John that he was in the wrong and should leave us alone.

In case you haven't read my old blogs, here is the abbreviated version of what happened: shortly after Mark and I started the show in 2014, John Leary, the promoter of the Orland show, started telling everyone who would listen that we were stealing the dealers from his show in Orland Park for our Milwaukee show. According to quite a few folks, John talked all sorts of trash about us. None of this made sense to me because nothing could have been further from the truth. Mark and I started the Milwaukee show simply because we wanted to attend a Saturday show in Milwaukee which did not have a regular Saturday show at the time. However, all the while we were still setting up at John's show in Orland Park. There were a few dates that conflicted and we skipped Orland for our show on those dates but we never had any intention to sabotage the Orland show or stop setting up there. In our wildest dreams we never figured our show in Milwaukee, which is a good 100 miles or so north of Orland Park and in another state completely, would have any effect on John's show.

So Mark and I confronted John and rather forcibly told him to stop talking trash about us and to stop spreading lies. John's response was that we had no right to promote our own show in another state, 100 miles away, and should have asked for his permission before creating our show. He honestly said we had no right to create our own show and had to ask for his permission! I hate to speak ill of the dead, but John Leary was an asshole to the ninth degree who thought he was the king of the card shows and the rest of us were his lowly subjects. I was not about to kiss that SOB's ring. He had no right!

As a result, Mark and I stopped setting up at the Orland show where I had been a dealer for 15 years and rarely missed a show. On the few occasions I had to miss an Orland show, John was an ass about it. When I told him I wanted to take my family on vacation to South Dakota and miss one of his summer shows, he told me not to go because South Dakota was not on his bucket list!! I ignored him and had a great time seeing Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills and the Badlands. South Dakota should be on everyone's bucket list!!

Back to the hub bub... there were some emails exchanged. I basically told John to go fuck himself. He then called up everyone he knew and tried to show them the emails. Lou told John he did not want to see the emails and should stop attacking Mark and I. John obviously did not listen to Lou so I took a four-year hiatus from the Orland show.

Eventually, John died and a new owner bought the show from his estate. My main man Lou, told the new owner Rich, that he should call Mark and I and get us back in the show. Thanks to Lou, Rich called me and asked me to set up. So now I am back at the Orland show, happy as a clam. Plus, since I moved my show to the first Saturday of the month, it does not seem to ever conflict with the Orland show and all is good. Even better is that Rich, the new promoter, does not care that I run a show 100 miles away and in another state... and why should he? My show is 100 miles away and in another state!!! It does not have any effect on the Orland show!!! For some reason, my show drove King John crazy. It will never make sense to me. But I am so thankful for Lou standing up for me and for getting me back into the Orland show. 

Ah, lads, Lou's work was not done after Orland. After COVID hit and the Schaumburg show started up this past July, Lou called and said I should set up at that show. I was hesitant, being a vintage dealer at a show with a reputation for modern cards. In the end, I was desperate for a show and took Lou's advice and have really enjoyed the Schaumburg show these past few months and plan on continuing being a dealer there for the foreseeable future. The best part of the Schaumburg show is that I get to hang out with my pal Lou. I am so lucky to have Lou as a friend and to have him looking out for me!! Thanks buddy!!

Did I say that Lou always looks out for me? Well, Lou made my day Sunday when he brought in a guy selling his vintage collection. The seller showed his cards to Lou, who bought a bunch of them. Lou then sent the seller over to me and I bought a really nice group of 1933 Goudeys, 1934 Goudeys and 1948 Leaf. If I didn't run out of money, I would have bought more stuff!

Even though my sales were way down from last month, I had a really great day between hanging out with Lou and Don and purchasing some great cards. As usual, I also bought a bunch of cards from Junior. I am looking forward to the next Schaumburg show on December 6. I am going to have to change up some things for that show to spur some sales. My binders did not do well at the November show. I will probably go back to the display cases which worked out well in October. If you plan on attending the December Schaumburg show, please let me know what you would like me to bring out. A few guys asked for 1957 Topps baseball, which I did not bring out to the November show figuring wrong that I would do better with my football binders. I will have that '57 binder at the December show.

If you collect anything hockey, be sure to come to the December Schaumburg show and see Lou!! Also don't miss Lou's tablemate Don, who has some one-of-a-kind items as well. Good people make good times... which is probably why I am addicted to card shows. John Leary aside, I have met so many amazing people at the card shows. Makes me feel like George Bailey from "It's A Wonderful Life" some times. Zuzu petals!

October 4, 2020, Hyatt Woodfield, Schaumburg, IL

Back in August, my pals Donny and Lou told me they were setting up at the Hyatt Woodfield show and encouraged me to attend. On the morning of the August show, I just couldn't get out of bed. With the diabetes, I have a lot of sleep issues. After the show, Donny told me how he sold Junior a bunch of Hank Aaron cards really cheap -- that was all I needed to hear, not even diabetes could stop me from attending the September show.

I still had a tough time waking up for the September show and got there close to noon. Thankfully, all the dealers were still set up. I was impressed that all the dealers and customers were wearing masks. I was also impressed that all the dealer tables were spread out between two rooms and a hallway, all socially distanced.

It was so great to see Donny, Lou, Tom, Dell, Skip, Karl, Cigar and the host of other people I knew at the show. I love these guys and had missed them while isolating the past six months.

I ended up buying a box of 1957 Topps baseball from Tom and a box of 1960's Cubs and Sox from Eric. Tom introduced me to the promoter Joe and I booked two tables for the October show, not knowing the Salvation Army was about to allow my show to start up again.

I was concerned about booking tables at this show being a vintage dealer. I had never been to the show before September, thinking it was just a modern-card show. I really struggled with what to bring.

Then, when the Salvation Army called, I was stuck doing two shows that weekend. In my younger days, two shows were not a problem, but as I've aged, lost my hair, sport a beer belly and suffer from diabetes, two shows in one weekend is very difficult for me to handle. However, there has to be some honor amongst dealers. I booked the show and it is my responsibility to attend! And attend I did!!

I was placed in the first room with Tom, Lou and Donny. After posting a blog that I was going to bring out my vintage baseball mitts, cheapy boxes and smattering of display cases, which I brought out to Oak Creek, the day before, I called an audible and decided to bring out six display cases, because I knew from experience that six would fit on two 6-foot tables. I could have done eight if I placed the cases on their side but it is difficult to deal with that type of set up. So I opted for an easy set up with just six display cases and nothing else. As most of you know, I have 70 or 80 binders stuffed with vintage cards on top of 15 display cases filled with stuff when I am at my max display.

I am amazed at how many people read this blog. I had a bunch of guys ask about my 1954 Bowman set that I started in March and have been blogging about. Then a bunch of guys at the Hyatt show called me out for not bringing out the cheapy boxes and the mitts. You know, sometimes when I write these blogs, it is just me talking to myself and I forget that thousands of folks all over the country are reading these musings. I have to be more careful!

And wow! My blog followers showed up for me at the Hyatt show. I am so thankful that so many guys came out to the show just to see me!! You guys rule!! Prior to the show, I felt I would be lucky to make table fee but I had table fee and more after the first hour of the show. Then the sales kept coming. Thank you guys!! I had a tremendous show. I booked tables for the November 1 show. Now what to bring out November 1st? I'm thinking binders but don't hold me to it, I may change my mind!!

​I can't believe I've never set up at this show! I am looking forward to the November 1st show.

October 3, 2020, Salvation Army, Oak Creek, WI

I never expected such a long lay off with my last show being March 7, 2020. Seven months later with a lot of planning and a lot of work, I was able to make it happen with a lot of help from the kind folks at the Salvation Army.

COVID has made this the craziest of times, not to mention all the other events occurring in the U.S., making this not only the craziest of times but also the most trying of times. I really want to get back to some sort of normalcy. In July, I started bothering the Salvation Army and was told they would not allow the show to occur in August and September.

Just when I was ready to give up on 2020, I was contacted by the Salvation Army in early September and told that they had an administrative meeting about the show, they came up with a plan and I could hold the October show. Woot! They had the whole thing mapped and charted out. I was impressed. Their plan called for one entrance to the gym and a separate exit. They also decided on one-way traffic through three rooms, with dealer tables separated by at least six feet. Everyone had to wear a mask. Hand sanitizing stations would be placed throughout the show.

I quickly agreed and set about the momentous task of determining the dealers for the show. I had been in sporadic contact with my regular dealers over the past seven months and had received a lot of inquiries from new dealers. I decided to start with all the dealers that confirmed for the April show, which was cancelled. I found that I did not have contact information for everyone and did my best to get in touch with as many as I could. If I never contacted you and you would like to set up at the November 7 show, send me an email at abrandongordon@hotmail.com. 

Several guys expressed a concern for COVID and did not want to set up, decisions I totally respect. I think it is a wise move for anyone with pre-existing conditions that would make them susceptible to COVID to stay away. For me, I am pretty sure I had COVID back in March but was unable to get tested at that time. As you may recall, tests were not widely available back in March. It took months for tests to be available for the general public at large. I am hopeful that I have some sort of immunity but I am also confident in the restrictions in place. I really don't see a big difference between going to a show and going to a grocery store. 

As for my mental health, I really needed to attend a show. Actually not only just my mental health but I needed to attend a show for my soul. I can't deal with being cooped up for so long!!

I had to really put the pedal to the medal to get this thing together. I had to contact 40 guys that booked for April than another 25 or so more that had asked for tables. It was crazy. Guys would commit one day than drop out the next. I had all of these back and forth phone calls, texts, emails and Facebook messages. Ugh! On top of it, I'm extremely busy at work. I almost lost it when a bunch of guys cancelled at the last minute and I had to contact a bunch of people on my waiting list the night before the show when I was burnt out from a rough day at work. This affair did not help my diabetes.

Then I had to deal with endless phone calls, texts, emails and Facebook messages from folks that wanted to attend the show but had all sorts of questions. There is one question that I regularly receive and I really hate to answer: Are any of the grading companies going to be grading cards at the show? NOOOO!! The grading companies have never, ever, never, ever, been to Wisconsin. I don't ever foresee them coming to Wisconsin in the future. You have to contact them and submit your cards, through the mail, directly to them in California, Texas or Florida. They aren't in Wisconsin! Unless Joe Orlando gets wind of our amazing Sloppy Joe, he is not coming to the Salvation Army in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.

I totally understand folks that contacted me to confirm the show and don't mind those inquiries. It is the stupid questions that drive me nuts. How many dealers? How many tables? Do they have toilets in the building? Can I bring my dozens of 1988 Topps sets and try to sell them to the dealers?

I am just one person and I can't answer all these questions. I try my best but I can't get back to everybody. Just come out to the show and see it for yourself! This is a tremendous show with tremendous dealers. If you collect cards and sports memorabilia, you are missing out by not attending this show. I am in awe at how the show has grown and increased in quality. We had some dealers on October 3 with inventories that rival any dealer at the National. Did you guys see Tommy Larsen's table? Oh my! I think he had 15 Gehrigs, 30 Cobbs, five or six Ruths, Christy Mathewson, Shoeless Joe -- Amazing!!

Amazing cards aside, if you have never run a card show, or run one with 40-plus dealers, you have no idea what a cluster@$%# it is to do. The worst part is the no-shows. I had two no-shows on the day of the show which drives me absolutely nuts because once someone commits to setting up, I expect them to set up. I also turn dozens of people away each show because I don't have enough dealer space for everybody. It just sucks that someone who wants to set up can't because some jerkoff reserved a table then doesn't even bother to show up. 

I might have to start making every dealer sign a contract, pay in advance then file a lawsuit against these people that don't show up. It is just not right. These folks need to take an iota of responsibility and call me if they can't make it. Give me a chance to fill the space. Don't blow off the show if you registered to set up!

I apologize to all the guys that wanted to set up but could not get a table because I thought I was sold out. I wish I could have everyone set up who would like to but I just don't have the space... especially now that we are social distancing all the dealers. I thought about moving the show to a larger venue but then I would have to double or triple table fee and most importantly I would lose the best partners in the world -- the Salvation Army. I can't say enough about Mark and everyone at the Sal. They really went the extra mile. They had to set up three rooms, place arrows on the walls and the floor, and make sure everyone wore a mask.

For the most part, the crowd was pretty good at keeping their masks on. I had a few complaints from dealers and customers who observed other dealers and customers not wearing their masks. I asked a couple of guys to put their masks on. They said they could not breath with the mask. I get it, I have trouble breathing with it on as well but I find that the longer I wear it, the easier it is to breath. 

Then there was one dealer that was militant about not wearing his mask. I told him before the show that he had to wear a mask and he did not protest. I then put a list of rules on every dealer table, including the one about everybody wearing a mask. He was fully informed that he was required to wear a mask. Why be a dick and not wear one?

Here is my main issue with the guys who won't wear a mask at the show -- the Salvation Army will shut down the show if everybody is not mask compliant. I, for one, want the show to continue every month. I think it would just suck if the Salvation Army shuts it down because one or two guys are absolute jerk-offs. Don't set up and don't attend if you have a problem wearing a mask!

Also, attendees who observe folks not wearing a mask, please ask them kindly to put on their mask. Making your complaints to me requires me to leave by tables to enforce the mask rule. I would prefer to be able to stay at my tables during the show.

More about masks. I don't care about the politics regarding masks. I just want to have the show! So wear your freaking masks so we can have the show!!! My card show is not the place to protest the mask edict. Do it somewhere else!!

Despite that one jerkoff, I had a really great day. Turn out was tremendous. It was so great to see everybody after such a long lay off. A few guys brought some cards over to my tables to sell. I bought a bunch of hockey with several Bobby Orr cards.

My sales were much better than expected. I had paired down my set up because I only had two 6-foot tables. Plus, I had some cards stolen at the March show so I did not want to leave anything high-dollar out on my tables as I can't man them the whole show. Little "fires" erupt during the show and I have to leave my tables to put them out. I also have to collect table fee from all 40 dealers and keeps me away from my tables for part of the show.

As a result, I kind of had a junky set up while the show was filled with some superstar dealers. Did you guys see all the Mantles in Mike Slinkman's case? Wow! You modern dealers and collectors are going to have to tell me the cool stuff on the modern tables. I have no knowledge about that stuff other than what I have read about concerning exploding prices for modern cards.

As far as vintage goes, this was by far the best vintage show I have had since I started the show in September of 2014. If I wasn't so busy, I probably would have dropped some serious coin.

So everyone who attended had to enter through the west door, go into the gym, into the back meeting room, then into the chapel. While I wanted to give myself the best tables in the house, the ones facing the entrance, I thought the right thing to do was to take the tables closest to the exit. I observed that it took awhile for folks to venture through the gym, meeting room and into the chapel where I was set up. We had some amazing stuff in the chapel and it filled up by late morning.

I brought out my cheapy boxes and they saw quite a bit of action. I brought out three display cases and sold quite a few cards. I have 15 display cases total and can fill them all up with cards, so three was a huge reduction for me. I did not have a whole lot of room for binders and just put out my 1970's binders for baseball. Surprisingly, the binders saw a lot of action. I also brought out a few sets and Bruce was kind enough to purchase my 1976 Topps baseball set. Thanks Bruce!

I was surprised I was even able to set up. I initially gave my tables away to another dealer who ended up cancelling at the last minute. I'd be surprised if there are extra tables for me at the November show. If there are, I don't know what to bring out. As I said, I suffered a theft at the March show. Someone took out all the Milwaukee Braves from my 1962 Topps baseball binder and did not pay for them. It was only around 30 bucks, but still, the fact someone would steal from me, really dims my enthusiasm for setting up when I can't be there to watch for thieves. There are some kind folks who have offered to watch my tables for me but I really need an experienced dealer who has an eagle-eye for thieves. It is amazing how bold some of these thieves are.

Another bummer about the show was no Sloppy Joe. The folks at the Sal felt with COVID, they shouldn't serve anything other than bags of chips and soda. I understand but was really hopeful that I'd get a few Sloppy Joes.

I stopped off at some place called the Charcoal Grill after the show on Howell. Decent place. I had a Rueben which was pretty good. I was also able to watch some college football on a big screen.

I did not get home until 5:15 p.m. It was a long day. I know I complain. I like to complain. I think I am very skilled at complaining. But despite my complaints, I had a great day and am looking forward to the November 7th show. Since I was stuck in the chapel for most of the show (is someone trying to tell me something?), I would love to hear your stories about the show. Most every dealer reported excellent sales. What did you guys do or see at the show? Let me know!

Pictured above is new dealer Maria Kuhn at the October 3, 2020, Salvation Army show. Maria's table was located in the Chapel, one of three large rooms with dealers at the show.

Wow!!! I am overwhelmed by the interest for the October 3 show, set from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Salvation Army Community Center, 8853 S. Howell, in Oak Creek, WI. I have been overrun with phone calls, texts and Facebook messages. I am slowly trying to get back to everybody. Please be patient, I am just one person and I have a business to run on top of the show. Did I say I was overwhelmed?

So I am doing my best to get back to everybody but as we get closer to the show, I probably won't have time to deal with all these phone messages. Sorry!

A little more info about the show. Entrance will be on the west side of the building, next to the playground. There will be one-way traffic through the show, starting through the gym then into the back room and out and up through the hallway to the front doors which will serve as an exit only. Everyone must wear a mask! Dealers will be set up in the gym, back room and hallway.

Dealers!! Your booths will be set up six-feet apart from one another. That space must be left bare. No card tables! All dealers must wear a mask.

I am not doing my usual pack giveaway. I'm going to wait until COVID ends before I have folks digging through boxes again. 

I really appreciate the response and interest in the show. I am still ironing out the dealer line up. Looks like dealer tables are sold out. I wish I had a staff to respond to everybody but it is just me. So please don't get angry if I don't respond to your inquiry, I just can't get to everybody. See you at the show! Tony

I just received word from the Salvation Army that they are going to allow the October 3rd card show, with restrictions. The show is going to be held in multiple rooms with dealer tables social distanced. I may have to limit dealer space to two tables and I am going to have to do away with table fee discounts to make sure I have enough funds to pay for the event. Everyone who attends the show must wear a mask. You can't enter without a mask and you will be asked to leave if you remove your mask while in the building.

Dealers interested in setting up, please let me know as soon as possible. Thanks! Tony

 I think it has been about seven months since I last attended a card show. Well, Lou and Don have been urging me to attend the show at the Hyatt Hotel in Woodfield, Illinois. So this past Sunday, September 6, 2020, I dragged myself out of bed and ventured out to the show. 

Now this show has been going on for years at several different locations. Most people remember it as the Rolling Meadows show that was held for decades at the Holiday Inn, which is currently being torn down. I think the show moved to the Hyatt about a year ago. 

The Hyatt is snazzy. I made sure to wear my mask and observed that everyone at the show, both customers and dealers, were all wearing mask. I saw one guy wearing gloves. The show was spread out between two rooms and a large hallway. All the dealer tables were social distanced apart.

I was impressed with both the number of dealers and customers. It was also great to catch up with everybody. Lou and Don had the first tables in the first room. It was great to see those guys. Next to Lou and Don on one side was Eric Unglaub and on the other side was Jeff P. Across the way was vintage Tom. There was one other dealer in the room who I did not know, he was selling reprint pre-War. It was nice to see everyone in that room after such a long lay off. I purchased some cards from Tom and Eric.

In the hallway, Del had the space to himself. It is always great to see Del, whom I've known forever. In the second room, which is much larger than the first room, there were a dozen or so dealers. I only knew a handful of them like the Zeigerts, Karl, Skip, and Nick. It was great to catch up with everybody.

Everybody seems to be waiting for my show, Gonzaga and Orland to return to action. Well, it does not look like these shows are returning any time soon. Jeff was saying there is a limit to 50 people in a room in Illinois. We agreed that there is no way to keep Orland at just 50 people in the room.

There was some chatter about some other shows. Some had set up at the last Schererville show in Indiana over the summer and said it was tremendous and they are waiting for the promoter to announce another one. I saw that one listed and I just wasn't ready to brave the pandemic yet to go to a show.

Others mentioned the Madison show with mixed results. I used to set up at that show regularly and it was always hit or miss. The promoter Darin is a great guy and if you are near Madison, I recommend that show. I thought about going but Madison is more than a two-hour drive for me. I just don't have the patience to sit in the car that long.

I know there is a show this coming weekend at the Cherry Vale Mall in Rockford, Illinois. That show is also a long drive for me. I probably won't go. Then there is a show coming up in Woodstock that a lot of people were talking about. I need to check with the promoter to see if there are tables.

A few mentioned a show in New Berlin, Wisconsin, but this show seems to be geared toward bobble collectors. There just isn't much happening right now between the Chicago-Milwaukee corridor. I have mentioned the flea market at the Kenosha County Fairgrounds in Wisconsin. I haven't made it out there yet. Maybe I'll check it out next weekend.

Boy it sure was fun going to that show at the Hyatt. There was not a whole lot of vintage there but I did manage to buy some stuff. The Hyatt show is well-known as a modern show -- which is why I blindly reserved two tables for the October 4th show. I don't expect a whole lot of sales but I will enjoy the company and just being at a card show, any show!

I don't plan to bring my usual set up on October 4 because I did not see a whole lot of vintage buyers. There seemed to be a lot of dime boxes at this show so I'll bring out my vintage cheapy boxes. I have been growing my vintage baseball glove collection these past few years and would like to bring out some gloves. 

Other than Don's cool WHA programs, I did not see a whole lot of publications at the Hyatt show, so I'm thinking about bringing out a couple boxes of publications. I have a smattering of modern cards I need to dig out. It will freak people out seeing that stuff on my table but I need to make some sales!

I will bring out three display cases and have a limited display of vintage stars. I just don't want to bring out the regular stuff because I don't think it will sell. I think I'll bring out some vintage lots. I also have some 1990's lots and sets that I may bring out. With the tables being just 6-footers, I don't think I'll have space for much else.

I don't expect there to be any vintage set builders at the show. If you are a vintage set builder and are planning to attend, shoot me a line and let me know what years you want me to bring out.

It will be a weird show and I'll have a weird set up because this is a modern show. I think I only saw two vintage dealers when I was at the show last weekend. Traditionally, this show only gets one or two vintage dealers, unlike other shows where vintage dealers are plentiful.

Some guys relish being the only vintage dealer in the room. I do not. I always like there to be many vintage dealers because with more vintage dealers you get more vintage collectors/customers. Looking around the rooms on Sunday, I only saw two guys tops who have purchased vintage cards from me in the past. 

I am going to bring some money to spend, so if you are selling vintage (1969 and older), stop by my tables!!

​I am looking forward to setting up at the show. It has been way too long!!

May 15, 2020

Today the search is for Mickey Mantle. I have attempted to filter out reprints but of course all sorts of reprints show up. There are 69 cards. I am going to see if I specify the year 1954 whether more reprints are filtered out. Yes, that brought it down to 27 cards but I still see some reprints. Ugh!

I love the guys who sell "novelty" cards. It seems like a novelty card is just a reprint made to look real. I am not a fan. Anyway, only one of the 27 cards posted today is not fake or overpriced. The card is a PSA 2.5 auction. It had one bid for $15 and ends in six days. I am going to throw down $200. I'm high bidder at $15.50. Based on my observation over the past month or so, this card will probably end up going for $400-plus. The card is way off-center and probably creased. I'm not going above $200. I'll wait for another one.

I think I will try Willie Mays. Initially 92 cards pop up but I need to filter out the reprints. That brings it down to 64 but I still see reprints. I have now specified the year 1954. Forty-eight cards. I am tempted to bid on one for $150. It is way off center but seller says no creases. There is a lot of surface wear, however, and I will pass.

Okay, like Mantle, prices for the Mays are all over the board. There are a bunch of them at $150 with dings, some scuffing but no creases. The problem with these cards is that they are all horribly off-center, so I am going to hold off.

June 8, 2020

Well, that Mantle PSA 2.5 where I bid $200, ended at $500. I have been checking eBay, here and there, for the cards I need. No luck. I also took Chris's advice and checked Sportslots. I was impressed with the way Sportslots had all the cards from 1954 Bowman organized and found it easy to navigate. Unfortunately, I did not have any luck with the cards I need. 

I also checked some major auctions. I believe it was Huggins and Scott that had a low grade 1953 Bowman Mantle and a low grade 1954 Bowman Mantle in one lot. When I factored in the buyer's premium, shipping and sales tax, the price was too high. Another auction house had a complete set that was only at $800 with a few hours to go. I thought about it but I just want four cards, not the whole set. Though, I'm starting to think that it may be cheaper to buy a complete set then to purchase the final four cards I need as singles.

Today, I will give eBay another try. I need Mantle, Berra, Mays and Hodges. I'll check Mantle first. After applying six filters, I got it down to 31 cards but there clearly are some reprints in there. Prices are all over the board. A seller from Milwaukee has an auction for an SGC 3.5. Current price is $425.  Probstein sold one at auction for $461 in March. I'll throw down $430... and just like that I am high bidder. I'm going to sit at $430 and not go any higher.

I see a nice-looking raw Mays for auction, currently at $51 with a day to go. Unfortunately, the seller does not state whether the card is creased, he says to check the scan which is so lame! The back has some lines that may be creases so I'm going to hold off. All the others are over-priced. I would like to be around $150 for this card... not $800.

Greg Morris has one ending in six days. I'm not going to bother to bid on that one. The others up right now are either too low of a grade or priced too high. I would like to be around $100 for a Berra. Greg Morris also has a couple of Hodges up but he does not state whether they are creased or not. The statement of "Look at the Scan" does not cut it for me. How hard is it to state "crease" or "no crease"?

That's all for today. Let's see if I win that Mantle! 

June 12, 2020

Holy Smokes! That SGC 3.5 Mantle from the other day where I bid $430 and figured it would sell between $450 and $500, actually sold for $988! There is a PSA 3.5 currently up with high bid around $500 with two days to go. I'm feeling a little bit too defeated to even place a bid. 

I think I will focus on the other cards I need. I checked Sirius Sports Auctions yesterday. He had a few '54 Bowmans up but none that I need. I saw on eBay that he has a raw Hodges in a BIN at $29.25. The card looks nice, just some centering issues and a wax stain. I would like to buy it but Sirus does one of those charts explaining his grades and states that this card is VG-EX which may have a slight crease. 

I see a seller has the same freakin' Hodges card up twice at two different prices. Gotta love eBay. Greg Morris has one up for auction at $4.25 with two days to go. The only description for the card states: The card in the scan is the card you will receive. As I have said previously, I hate this statement. I can't tell from the scan if the card has flaws. It looks like it may but I really can't tell. I just can't bid on these cards.

I decided to go back and place $460 on that Mantle. I'm high bidder! Woot!

Next up, Yogi Berra. I'm not even going to look at the Greg Morris listings. So does SMR price mean anything? The graded Yogis are well-above SMR. All the raw cards are creased and sellers are looking for 50 bucks for a creased Yogi. Not!

Lastly, Willie Mays. Again, everything is way over-priced. Lastly, I'm left wondering what that Mantle will end up at.

June 16, 2020

Oh my! Finding the last four cards I need at a decent price and in decent condition may be impossible!

That PSA 3.5 Mantle, the one where I placed a bid of $460, ended at $685, not nearly as high as the SGC 3.5 that went for $988 the previous week. Okay, today, I see a batshite ugly Mantle for $63 with eight hours to go. I'm going to throw down $75. Immediately outbid at $76. This card is sooo phugly that I can't bid any higher. Oh, I see that I am not the only one following Mantle prices. It seems like all the sellers upped their prices. Pass.

I just checked the Willie Mays cards up on eBay and I don't like anything I see there. I see a Berra that does not look too bad for $100. Seller says no crease but there seems to be quite a bit of surface wear. Pass. No other Berra's are worthy of a bid or BIN.

As for Hodges, I see one on first glance that looks good. Second glance shows writing on the back. There are no other Hodges worthy of a bid or BIN. The search continues....

June 26, 2020

The phugly Mantle sold for $174.50. I can't drop that much money on such a phugly card in good conscience.

"Phugly" seems to be the theme lately. Probstein currently has two extremely phugly Mantles up for auction. I am going to guess they will end between $175 and $250. Again, I can't pay that much for a phugly card in good conscience.

I see a Mantle that looks okay in the scan but there are a lot of red flags. First off, the card is scanned while in a toploader, so it may have creases but it is hard to tell for sure when the card is covered in a toploader. The toploader itself is scratched up. Secondly, the seller has about 380 feedback. I am not a fan of low feedback. Lastly, seller states he knows nothing about cards and purchased a storage locker where he found the card. I've seen this statement before and find it troubling. I am going to pass.

Greg Morris has one up for auction with seven days to go. He states the card is low grade and it is already up to $240. Pass. Now I see a whole bunch of phugly Mantles all priced way too high. Sheesh! The nicer Mantles are priced through the roof.

Let's see what's out there for Willie Mays. May not, all priced too high. Berra? Oh, I see Kit Young has one up. I haven't bought anything from Kit Young in a long time. Kit Young is one of the few dealers that has been around since I first started collecting vintage cards in the 1970's. Unfortunately, he is one of those eBay dealers that has the grading chart. The Berra is listed VG-EX which according to the chart may have a slight crease. Pass. All the others I see are overpriced or at least priced higher than I am willing to pay.

Now for Hodges. Man, all priced too high. Another day of no bids. I am just not going to overpay for these cards. 

July 6, 2020

The Pandemic Set Build is now going into July. I did not think it would take so long when I began this thing some four months ago. I am down to just four cards: Mantle, Berra, Mays, and Hodges. I have watched the Mantle prices jump these past four months. Originally, I wanted to pay around $400 for a card with no creases but some corner and edge wear. These cards appear to be going between $600 and $1,000. 

The first Mantle I see is clearly fake but being auctioned as an original. The wear is obviously face and the back has that red-yellow tint that I see on all the fakes. The card is at $170 with three days in the auction to go. Somebody is going to get burned.

Creased up Mantles are going between $300 and $500. I can't pay that for a creased card. The Battersbox has one that looks VG for $587 BIN. They rate it VGEX. I can't tell from the scan if it is creased and they don't mention it in the description. They do the lame chart. So according to their chart, a VGEX description could have a slight crease. Pass. Would have bought it if they said "No Crease" in the description. Why is that so hard to say? Just say "crease" or "no crease." Come on vintage card sellers, stop being so lame!

An outfit out of Dayton, OH, has one up for auction for $600, no bids, three days to go. The condition is exactly what I am looking for. It has some corner wear and is slightly off-center. They even say "no creases." However, the price is about $200 more than I would like to pay. Though, the reality of the situation appears to be that $600 is now the going rate for this card in this condition. I am going to suck it up and throw down $600. Oooh, that kind of hurt.

Next up Mays. Like the Mantle, I'm looking for a card with no creases. I'm okay with corner, edge wear and centering issues. The seller from Dayton has one creased for $160. I'd like to be at $150 with no creases. No luck today. I may have to adjust my numbers for the Mays as well.

Let's see about Berra. I'd like to be between $50 and $100 on the Berra for one with no creases and corner/edge wear and possibly centering issues. No luck today. All the cards under $100 are creased. Again, I may have to suck it up and go up to $150.

Hodges? COMC has one for just 18 bucks BIN but they don't say whether it is creased or not and I can't tell from the scan. It almost looks like someone drew in the card number in pen on the back. Pass.

May favorite seller Dean's has one with two pieces of tape on the front for $22. Seems like all the other BINs have been there for a while. I'd like to be between $25 and $50 for a no-crease card. None up today.

The only thing to do now is to wait three days and see if I won that Mantle for $600. 

September 1, 2020

Sorry I have not blogged for awhile. Work has been crazy busy. Also, without shows, I sort of lost my motivation. I am back now. Spark has been relit. I have been searching eBay for the cards I need but have not had any luck. I lose every card. I have even placed some bids with private auction houses and lost those as well.

I am encouraged that my friend Andy found a '54 Bowman Mantle for his set on eBay. Let's give it a try today:

Right off the bat I see a fake listed as an original.

I was first tipped off by the perfect centering. It is pretty tough to find a perfectly centered original '54 Bowman. Next tip is the grainy texture. Original '54 Bowmans have a smooth texture. I have also seen a lot of fake vintage cards with the shellac-like back, another tip off. The seller has it listed at $600 BIN, hopefully nobody gets duped. Ebay is so disappointing. There are so many fakes and so many rip-off artists on there.

All the other Mantles I see today are overpriced. Ugh! As for Mays, all the ones I see are either terribly miscut or overpriced. Ugh, again. I found a Berra PSA 4 at $54 with a day to go. I threw down $60 and am high bidder. I won't get my hopes up, though. Maybe I was too quick to bid on that card because I just found a PSA 4 for $80 BIN (plus $5 sales tax) from a seller I think I know. I purchased the PSA 4 from I think, Big Tim, who reads this blog. Tim! I also need a Mantle and a Mays. What do you have?

The purchase was made easier when viewing endless PSA 2s listed at $80. Tim is reasonable. Thanks Tim!

Well, down to just two cards!!! Will I ever get the Mantle and the Mays?

Anyway, it is good to be back. Still no shows to speak of. Today is September 1 and I have not set up at a show since March. I wish that Covid vaccine would be out already!! Anyway, I'll try to blog again soon.

I was just informed by the Salvation Army that my September 5 show is cancelled as well as the August 1 show at the Sal in Oak Creek, WI. I get it but doesn't mean I like it! I'm dying here!!! I need a show!!!

It has now been five months since I set up at a show. Where is that Covid Vaccine?!!

I do have to say, I may have trouble waking up early once the shows resume. I have been enjoying sleeping in every weekend. I have also been enjoying the extra time to load my binders. I was not aware at just how empty they were. When I'm in full show mode and setting up most every weekend, I usually bring out one reloaded binder to each show. It is that reloaded binder where I make all my sales. As a result, just about all my binders were empty before the world shut down for Covid.

After five months of no shows and time spent reloading, I have turned a corner and most of the binders are now filled to the brim with cards. I've just about reloaded all of my baseball binders, 1949 to 1981. I still have a lot of work to do with football, basketball and hockey but have been busy reloading those binders as well.

I have made some nice vintage card purchases during these past five months as well. One seller came to my house to sell me some cards. I met another at a Portillo's in Addison, Illinois. Several guys have stopped into my office in Palatine, Illinois, to sell me some cards and publications. Then I've purchased a bunch of stuff at online auctions. 

While I am very happy with these purchases, I still prefer to purchase cards at card shows and am waiting patiently for them to resume. I do not know yet whether the Salvation Army will allow the October 3 show to occur. I guess I can only hope.

Stay well everybody. We will get together again soon!!

Tony

I can't say how disappointed I am but the Salvation Army cancelled the August 1 show. I do not know yet whether they will allow the September show.

I am not angry with them. I get it. We are in the middle of a deadly pandemic and I had been wondering if running the August show would have been reckless and irresponsible. The lawyer in me is thinking of liability issues. But the card dealer/collector in me is so ready for a show!! It has been four months since I last set up at a show!!

I was planning to give out face masks at the show and have disinfectant stations throughout the room... which I think I will do if I can ever run the show again. I am wondering if I should just throw in the towel for 2020 and shoot for 2021 when, hopefully, we will have a Covid vaccine.

The flea market in Kenosha is open. I might just set up there. I'll let you know. Did I say I am disappointed? 

- Tony