A little promotion goes a long way. I probably would have missed the show at the Lincoln Center in Highland, Indiana, this past weekend (Feb. 27, 2016) if: (1) Willie did not mention it to me a few weeks ago; and (2) if Mark didn't give me promoter Roger Parker's phone number. I hate to say anything negative about Roger because he is a super nice guy and we all know that some promoters just are not very nice. However, like I said, a little promotion goes a long way. 

I use the online show calendars in Beckett and SCD to figure out my show schedule. So if a show is not listed in Beckett or SCD, chances are I'm not setting up. As I've learned, renting space to hold a show is an expensive endeavor, so I fail to understand why any promoter would not place a free listing in Beckett or SCD to lure in some dealers to help pay for the room. Roger is usually pretty good about placing a listing in Beckett, so I was surprised he did not have one for the show last weekend.

Once I got in touch with Roger and procured my tables, I grew concerned that there would not be any customers. If I did not know about the show as a dealer, how can I expect customers to know about the show? So I started plugging the show online. I started by listing it on my homepage here, then listed the show on Facebook and Craigslist. My efforts paid off because people told me at the show that they only came out after seeing my online posts. Though, one customer, who came from my Craigslist post, emailed me after the show to complain about a dealer told him to f@#$ off. Thankfully, the offending dealer was not one of the card show dealers, rather, one of the flea market vendors from the other side of the room.  The Highland show is held on one end of a large indoor flea market. As much as I love a flea market, these vendors can be far more difficult to deal with than card show dealers. This particular vendor had a large box of 1988 Topps football on his table and he priced each individual card at $1. The Craigslist customer asked the vendor why he was selling cards that are worth less than a penny each for one dollar each. The flea market dealer promptly told him to f@#$ off. I explained to the Craigslist customer that I was not the promoter of the show, merely a vendor, and that I agreed that the behavior of the vendor in question was deplorable. He was cool with my response and hopefully he comes back sometime.

All in all, attendance was good, as you can see from the photo above, but there were quite a few open flea market spaces which, again, I blame on lack of promotion. Roger just promotes the card show. There is another group that handles the flea market. Like Roger, the flea market group needs to get the word out.

Anyway, once at the show, I had nothing to complain about. I had a great time and renewed lots of old acquaintances. It was nice to see Jim Colias, who I don't get to see much anymore thanks to the promoter of the Orland show who chased me out of there. Did I say there are promoters who aren't very nice? Dave F. was my first customer as usual when I set up in northwest Indiana. Dave found a bunch of clean 1975 Topps baseball and 1972-73 Topps basketball. Thanks for the purchase Dave! 

It just about made my day when Paul showed up. I got to know Jim, Dave and Paul when I was a regular dealer at the Orland show. Now that I no longer do that show, I hardly get to see these guys. I also saw Harry and Derek, who I know from the Orland show as well. It would be tough to find a better group of guys. It was awesome to see everyone and I appreciate the purchases. Thanks guys!!

There are also groups of guys at the Highland show that I do no see anywhere else. I had several nice sales from some of these Highland regulars. I ended up having an okay day on sales.

On the buying front, I went home with about 100 1949 Bowman baseball (some are pictured below), a nice group of 1953 Johnston Cookies, several 1961 Golden Press, a few 1933 Goudeys, and one 1934 Diamond Star. I was quite pleased with my purchases. There was quite a lot to buy at this show. If I had more money, I would have bought a bunch more stuff. I'm leaning toward throwing the whole group of 1949 Bowmans on eBay as a lot. I may put the Johnston Cookies on eBay as a lot, as well. The Goudeys will be for sale on my table at a card show soon.

​On the food front, there was a concession stand that sold baked goods, hot dogs, sloppy Joe, baked potatoes and popcorn. I had some cookies that were pretty dern good. I also ate a hot dog that was enjoyable. The sloppy Joe was Manwich -- ugh! Last time I was at this show, there was a booth selling fresh-made tacos that were oh, so good. I was bummed the taco booth was gone.

After the show, I went with Willie, Mark, and Mark's friend Bob over to Top Notch Restaurant, located a few blocks from the Lincoln Center. I ordered a turkey club sandwich that was enjoyable. Willie had a huge plate of stuffed pork while Mark and Bob had some monster steaks. I'm definitely coming back to Top Notch Restaurant which certainly lives up to its name. Another great recommendation from Mark Smith.

Now, the next Highland show is set for May 14, 2016, and I have a minor dilemma. The Fan Fanatical people that now run the Sun-Times show, have added a two-day show for May 14-15. I have already booked Gonzaga for May 15 and I would like to do Highland on the 14th. I also would not mind doing this May Sun-Times show. So I have been weighing my options and am leaning toward Highland-Gonzaga that weekend because the Sun-Times show is just too expensive. They are basically charging the same table price for their two-day show as they charge for their three-day show. It is hard enough to cover costs at the regular Sun-Times show, I am not confident that I would make table fee at this May show. So, it looks like I'm skipping the May Sun-Times show.

We were talking about this at dinner after the Highland show. I was wondering why Fan Fanatics do not move the show to a cheaper venue. Mark was saying that they apparently considered it but folks that live in Chicago and do not own cars, complained that there is no "L" service to a place like Schaumburg and they could not attend. From a dealer standpoint, I would fully support a move to a less expensive venue. I'm sure folks could find a way to get there. Everything is just too expensive in Rosemont from the table fee, concession stand, to parking. 

Well, this was a double-bill weekend. Mark, Willie and I brought our wares to the Indian Lakes Resort show in Bloomingdale, Illinois, on Sunday, February 28, 2016. It was nice to see Scott from Dekalb, who is an irregular dealer at this show and is picture below. Scott is a modern card dealer but he always brings me some vintage cards. Thanks Scott!

I thought the show was well attended but, as Ted said, there were a lot of tire kickers in attendance. So, sales were down but purchases were up. Once again, I bought a pile of stuff including some more 1933 Goudeys, Kelloggs cards from 1971 (pictured below) and 1975, some 1955 Bowman baseball, 1959 Topps baseball, and 1956 Topps baseball, among a smattering of other stuff. This was my third weekend in a row where I made some really nice buys. I have a ton of work to do to get this stuff priced and ready to sell.

After the show, Willie and I went over to Portillo's. I had a killer Maxwell Street Polish.

Up next is my show at the Clarion Hotel, 5311 S. Howell, in Milwaukee, on Saturday, March 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All the dealers from last month are returning for the March show. I just got a call from Jerry K., who is planning on setting up as well. I usually get another dealer or two during the week. So we should have a full house of dealers.

I'm still working on my new binder of 1975 Topps minis. I hope to have those done along with some 1965 Philadelphia football. I also need to price more stars for my display cases. I am going to be very busy this week preparing for the Clarion show. Then on Sunday, March 6, I'm heading to Madison for Darin Blang's show. The Madison show is always good.

Well, I certainly spent more money than I made this past weekend... which is awfully fun to do. Unfortunately, I can't do that every weekend. I need to sell some stuff now. I need your help! Come on out to my show on Saturday!!!!

There is a "first" for everything, they always say. I awoke awfully early on Sunday, February 20, 2016, made it to Gonzaga Hall by 7 a.m. and was set up before the doors opened at 9 a.m. -- a first for me! I don't know, I am just awfully slow at setting up and closing down, so I am usually the last person to complete set up and the last person to leave a show. I do strive for consistency.

The WSCA famous baker is still under the weather, so we had to settle for doughnuts instead of fresh, delicious cake. Get better soon Candy! I dined on a chocolate doughnut and some coffee for breakfast. Being set up early, I actually walked around the room. I'm still working on that 1970 Topps baseball set. I did not see anybody with '70 Topps in any kind of volume or in any type of organization, so I did not pick up any cards for my set. I'm down to the high numbers now. I also did not see any deals flying in my face, so I did not buy any cards from the dealers.

Customers trickled to my table early in the show. Noticeably absent were Mark and Jim. Hope to see you guys at my Clarion show on March 5. Jason was an early visitor and found some cards out of my pre-War display case. Joe found some tough 1963 and 1962 high number Braves for his sets. Bruce and one of his grandsons were also early morning customers. They found some T205s. Thanks for the coffee Bruce! I'm actually sucking down some coffee as I write this blog. I live on coffee! I have a little time to kill before I have to head to court in Waukegan, Illinois, on a DUI case this morning. My recommendation: don't drink and drive! One would think that the likelihood of death or the death of another is enough of a deterrent, but not so, because Illinois courts are filled with DUI cases. Another deterrent may be that these cases are slow and costly but folks don't learn until they are in the system.

Anyway, back at the show, the room started to fill up by mid-morning. The auction was especially crowded, see picture above. Quite a few regulars hit my table to pull cards for their sets. Seems like most guys are working on sets from 1958 to 1968. I'm currently reloading my binders from the 1970s, so I am not much of a help until I get back to reloading the 1950s. However, my 1970s binders, with the exception of 1979, are pretty well depleted, so I need to keep working on the reloads. I finished 1975 just before the Gonzaga show and sold a few cards out of it.

All in all, sales were down from January. I had quite a few sales but they were mostly of the $5 and under variety which do not add up. Hopefully, I can rebound for the March show.

On the buying front, I made a real nice haul which always helps when sales are slow because those purchases will result in future sales. I picked up: a smattering of 1956 Topps baseball, some 1964 Topps baseball; a 1,000 or so 1970 Topps baseball -- no high numbers; about 600 1972 Topps baseball with a smattering of high numbers; about 300 1971 Topps baseball in really nice shape; and 600 or so 1969 Topps baseball. I left the show with no money in my pockets, I spent it all on these cards -- which is always fun.

Though, I need to stop buying cards from the 1970s, I am absolutely overrun with the low numbers. I can always use the high numbers. My inventory for 1972 Topps low numbers is getting out of hand. I must have 8,000 to 10,000 of the 1972s along with 6,000 to 7,000 of the 1970 Topps low numbers. I might start putting together some starter lots from these years and bring them out to the shows. When the price is right on these cards, I can't help myself and keep adding to the trove.

The auction ended early, around 11:15 a.m., and the room cleared out. I almost started to pack up, many dealers actually did pack up and leave by noon. There were a few guys in the room that I knew were going to hit my table, so I stuck around. I was on the road by 2 p.m., which is still early for me at the Gonzaga show. Paul Hornung is scheduled to sign autographs at the March show, so that should be an excellent show.

Up next for me is the Highland, Indiana, show at the Lincoln Center. I really like the Highland show which is quarterly and tough for me to fit into my schedule. The show is part of a large indoor flea market, so it is always lively with some cool stuff and tasty food. Mark Smith is setting up in Highland as well. I am really looking forward to the show. Then on Sunday, I'm bringing my wares back to Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, Illinois. I just finished 1965 Topps football. I don't think I'm going to bring the football binders to Highland because I only have two tables. I'll have them out in Bloomingdale where I should have more tables. If anyone would like to see football in Highland, let me know and I'll bring them out. I am also working on 1975 Topps Minis. I'm not sure if I'll have the binder done by Saturday. I am creating the binder from scratch. I believe I sold the last one to Dave at the show in Crown Point, Indiana, last fall. Anyway, it should be another great weekend of shows and I hope to see everyone out in Highland and Bloomingdale!!

I had a real nice weekend of shows. Though, two shows in a weekend seems to tire me out more and more as I get older. It is Monday as I write this blog and I'm exhausted.

First up was my monthly show at the Clarion in Milwaukee on Saturday, February 13, 2016, pictured above. I worked my tail off promoting the show in the weeks before with flyers, an internet ad, listings in SCD and Beckett, along with many internet postings. It is always nice when my efforts pay off and folks let me know they came in from my internet postings. Attendance was a little off from the previous two shows but not too bad. Sales were definitely up. All the dealers reported good sales -- which never happens! It is always nice when people show up with money to spend!! Thank you guys!!!

Mark picked up a bunch of stuff including my 1963 Topps Jim Taylor. Jim found some 1955 Bowmans. Thanks for the coffee Jim! Tim made my day by purchasing my 1952 Bowman Willie Mays and my 1951 Bowman Whitey Ford rookie. Thanks Tim! Ray purchased my T206 Johnny Evers. Thanks Ray!

John purchased a 1960's Sport Magazine with Sandy Koufax on the cover. Robin picked up some 1967 Philadelphia football. A regular customer purchased some 1958 Topps baseball. Another regular customer, who drove up from Illinois, purchased some 1965 Topps baseball. Bill also drove up from Illinois and found some stuff. Bill N. purchased some autos. A bunch of other guys pulled cards from my binders and I ended up having my best show of the year, so far. 

On the buying front, I picked up a box of 1970's hockey and binder of 1970's basketball from one customer then picked up a box of 1970's basketball from other customer. Thanks guys! Gary had two 1953 Topps Mickey Mantles in his case, pictured below. I've never had a '53 Topps Mantle. I was drooling at those cards.

​I observed a breakfast buffet in the hotel's restaurant. No doughnuts, not that I need them. I had hoped to set up quickly and hit that buffet but no such luck. I was busy all day and never made it to the buffet. After the show, I hit a Panda Express. I saw a brew pub in Oak Creek but didn't want to spend the time sitting in a restaurant. Though, I would like to give that brew pub a try one of these days. I stopped for gas down the street from the Clarion and paid $1.38 a gallon. Gas by my house is up to $1.58 a gallon after dropping as low as $1.34 a gallon early last week. It was a long day. I did not make it home until 5:30 p.m. 

I was up bright and early on Sunday, February 14, 2016, for the Indian Lakes Resort show in Bloomingdale, Illinois. The weatherman had warned of snow but the sky had patchy clouds in the morning and I figured the weatherman was going to be wrong again. I stopped off at a Panera Bread on my way to the show. I am happy to report that Panara's sausage and egg sandwich is pretty good. I also got a chocolate chip "muffie" which was awfully tasty. I picked up two cups of coffee, one dark roast and the other was hazelnut. The dark roast was damn good but that hazelnut was nasty.

I had a nice display with five tables filled with stuff. A regular customer got things going by purchasing some 1970s Topps baseball. Kevin picked up a bunch a 1970s Blackhawks. A new customer purchased a bunch of old Cubs for a display he is making in his mancave. It was awesome to see Chris, who came up from the Orland area. Chris found a bunch of stuff for his sets. Thanks Chris! Willie purchased a bunch of stuff to send out for graphs. Thanks Willie! A few other guys dinked through my binders and I ended up having another nice show.

On the buying front, I picked up about 250 1973-74 hockey cards. Between my show and the Indian Lakes show, I had a really nice hockey haul this weekend! Some of the stars are heading to eBay this week.

The show ended early and I learned why when I went to load out and stood in the middle of a white-out. Damn weatherman was right. Oh, my, every idiot and his mother was out on the road home. I almost lost control of my car just outside of the Indian Lakes Resort. Luckily, I was able to reel it in because some numbnut was tailgating me as a started to spin out while turning left from Schick to Bloomingdale Road.

I took it slow driving down Lake Street to Route 53, tailgated the whole way. As I approached Route 53, there was a crash in the left lane on Lake while I sat in the right lane waiting to hop onto the on-ramp. The roads were incredibly slippery but that didn't stop all the numbnuts in the left lane from cutting off all of the cars in the right lane as they tried to drive around the accident.

Route 53 was scary because the road was covered in snow and slush. I held my speed between 45 and 55 MPH while numbnuts blew past me, cut in front off me or tailgaited me. I've spent way too much time on Route 53 during snowstorms over the years and have witnessed many accidents. What makes Route 53 especially scary as that the whole road is elevated. It is essentially one long bridge, so every winter there are always a few people that spin off Route 53 down to one of the roads below, resulting in death or horrible injuries. On this day, I saw four or five cars spin off the road on my way home. Thankfully, nobody went over. I saw one car go deep into a ditch, though. I pulled off on Lake Street, then to Buffalo Grove Road where there was more of the same. There was an accident as I approached Milwaukee Avenue coming up on Half Day Road. I was sure happy when I made it home. Man, that was a scary drive! I really appreciate everyone who braved that snow for the Indian Lakes Show. I hope everyone made it home safely!!

Up next is the Gonzaga show on Sunday, February 21, 2016. I just finished by 1975 Topps baseball binder. I had hoped to have it completed before my Clarion show but just could not get it done. I am going to start on 1965 Topps football and plan to price a bunch more stuff for my display cases. I will probably start on a new binder of 1975 Topps minis this week but I doubt I will have it done by the Gonzaga show. I will try.

Anyway, I huge thank you to everyone who came out to my Clarion show. The next one is set for Saturday, March 5, 2016. All the dealers from this month's show have confirmed for the March show. I can fit a few more guys in, if anybody is interested. I also appeciate everyone who came out to Indian Lakes Resort. I'll be back there on February 28th. Mark Smith is setting up at that one so we should have a really nice vintage inventory in the room. 

I am still looking for a venue in the south suburbs of Chicago to host a show. Unfortunately, every place is priced way too high. I did find a reasonably priced venue up by my house in the north suburbs. I am debating on whether to host a Saturday show up north -- anybody interested? Let me know! See you guys at Gonzaga on Sunday!!!

A real nice show yesterday in Schaumburg, Illinois. Quite a few guys pulled cards from my binders. My newly reloaded quarter box and 50-cent box each had nice workouts. Now I need to reload, again! Mort made his return to the show after an extended absence. I actually ran into Mort at the Mariano's Grocery Store in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, on the day before the show. Mort purchased my 1950 Bowman Y.A. Tittle rookie. I'd also like to wish Mort a belated Happy Birthday.

I sold several 1938 Our National Game pins to a regular customer. It was nice to see Chuck for the first time in months. Chuck picked up a bunch of stuff including a 1973 Kellogg's Carlton Fisk. Thanks Chuck! I had quite a few set builders digging through my binders. Thanks guys! Corky was the first to hit my newly reloaded 1975-76 Topps hockey. One customer purchased some 1979 Topps baseball. I think it has been a while since I sold any 1979 Topps. I actually had another guy ask for 1989 Topps -- how often does that happen? NEVER! 

On the buying front, I picked up some 1938 Churchman boxing and a handful of old Chicago Bears pocket schedules.

Speaking of purchases, I hear tales each weekend of Hall of Fame purchases at Dollar Store prices. At the Schaumburg show, one guy was telling me how he bought all sorts of 1950s baseball stars at a recent toy show for practically nothing. Frankly, with the advent of the internet and the relative ease for anyone to learn the value of a card, I just don't believe him or most of the stories I hear, for that matter. Maybe it is the lawyer in me that wants more evidence when someone tells me they purchased a $250 card for just $8. I just refuse to believe these sort of stories without some sort of witness testimony. A sworn affidavit may work as well.

Anyway, a big thank you to everyone who purchased cards from me in Schaumburg! I had a really nice day.

CLARION SHOW SET FOR SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2016, IN MILWAUKEE

Once again it is time for my monthly Clarion show in Milwaukee. Attendance has been real strong these past couple of months. I am hoping for more of the same this Saturday. I am working on a new 1975 Topps baseball binder. I also hope to have time to price more cards for my display cases along with some publications. My core group of dealers should be there. I do have some dealer tables available as Scott has to miss the next few shows while he coaches his daughter's basketball team. Good luck Scott! Tables cost just $25 for an 8-footer. Drop me a line!

I am also setting up Sunday, February 14, 2016, at the Indian Lakes Resort, in Bloomingdale, Illinois. I cannot think of a better way to spend Valentine's Day with your honey than by taking her to the romantic surrounds of the Fred Copp baseball card show. I hear Fred is going to break out his banjo and sing some love songs to happy couples. So be there or be square!