Saturday, July 26, 2025, TOCA Soccer Center, Naperville, IL

Well, I sorta screwed up. I did not realize Madison was scheduled for this day, so I booked the Naperville show. I probably would have had better sales in Madison but I did enjoy the 45-minute drive to Naperville as opposed to the two-hour drive to Madison.

This was my first time at the Naperville show. Apparently, this was just the second show at the TOCA Soccer Center. Excellent venue. This place is huge. I enjoyed the pee-wee league soccer game adjacent to the card show. There were also young folks working on their soccer skills across the building.

Ridge Cards is the promoter of the Naperville show. Ridge Cards also promotes the Willowbrook show and the Peru Mall show.

I brought out three display cases and most of my baseball binders but sales were slow. Not sure what I could have done to improve sales. Did not seem like there were a whole lot of vintage collectors in the room. 

I did see some other vintage dealers including Dave Ramsey and Brian Wasielewski. A few other guys had a smattering of vintage on their tables. The dealer across from me had vintage publications, a cool Mickey Mantle game, and some vintage oddball items. He seemed to have more sales than I did.

I was able to buy a few cards. I young couple had a stack of vintage, most of it was phugly with tape marks. I did not feel like buying the taped-up cards today. I did purchase a 1956 Topps Phil Rizzuto and a 1958 Topps Frank Robinson All-Star. The couple had a few other cards like a 1956 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 2. They wanted $1400 for the Mantle. I would have been a buyer at $1,000.00. 

Mini Rant
So this total dooshbag was hovering around while I was doing the deal with the young couple. He was salivating over that Mantle. He was almost on top of us. I should have told him to move along. He made me really uncomfortable.

As soon as I completed the deal, he literally grabbed the young couple and started to look through their cards at the empty table next to me. Not cool, dude. First off, there was some serious violations of card show etiquette here. Rule Number (1) Back off when the dealer and a customer are involved in a deal. Rule Number (2) You want to partake in walk-ups, get your own table, don't grab people off of my table.

I was kind of pissed off at this guy. If he ever does that again to me, I'm buying every card the seller presents, whether or not I find the price reasonable, just to spite the guy. He totally overpaid for that Mantle. Doosh!!

Anyway, there was a large number of dealers at this show. Unfortunately, attendance was light. I really thought a show in Naperville would bring out a lot more people. Naperville is a really nice far western suburb of Chicago. There has to be a lot more card collectors in Naperville than was at this show.

​I thought Dave of Ridge Cards did a nice job getting the word out. We just did not get the attendance I thought should have been at this event. I'm not sure why?

There was a nice little concession stand at the TOCA Center where I was able to purchase a steady stream of diet Cokes and some chips. Andy bought me a hot dog. Thanks Andy!

I had some trouble with traffic driving home. The ramp from I88 to the 294 was a parking lot. I was able to get out of the line and take I88 to Manheim Road and drive north for a while until I was able to get on the 294. 

This was another double-bill weekend. I owe you a blog from Countryside.

I am writing this blog on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in the evening. I spent all day today at the Stephen Center in Rosemont setting up my booth for the National. I am tired but looking forward to the start of the show tomorrow!

Come see me in Booths 3717 and 3816. I have a ton of stuff!! 

I was worried that I would not have enough cards, so I have been pricing cards like mad these past several months. Turns out I have too many cards. I won't be able to get everything out that I wanted to get out. Oh well.

See you at the show!

Reminder: Next Oak Creek show is August 9. The first meeting of the Oak Creek Vintage Sports Collectors is slated for August 23. Then we have the 450-table Wisconsin MegaShow on September 20.

Sunday, July 20, 2025, Civic Center, Orland Park, IL

Another show where a lot of people were discussing this blog. As I loaded into the show and paid for my tables, promoter Rich Troy joked there were a lot of customers already inside the show -- a nod to my last Oak Creek blog where I railed against customers arriving before the show opens at 9 a.m.

Like I said in that Oak Creek blog, it really bugs me to see customers inside a show while I am loading in. Can't you guys wait for the show to open before arriving? Customers should not be arriving at the same time as dealers.

​Tom M. pointed out a mistake I made in my Kildeer blog where I listed the wrong dates for the Pewaukee and Orland shows. Sorry about that!

Back to the Orland Show where I brought out three display cases, all of my baseball binders and all of my football binders. 

I ended up having a really nice day. My best Orland show in months. 

I did not buy a whole lot this month, just some 1955 Topps baseball and some 1959 Topps baseball from Jim. I also bought a 1959 Topps Billy Martin from a little kid.

Near the end of the Orland show I got into a rather loud argument with this guy Dennis from Joliet, who just gets under my skin. Sorry about that folks. I am going to ask Dennis to stay away from my table at future shows.

Pauly P. made an appearance at the Orland show. Always great to see Paul!

Will, Joe and I ended the day at the sub shop. 

I am going to have to miss the August Orland show as my niece is getting married that day. I'll be back in Orland for the September show.

I am still behind on my blogs as my dad has had some health issues and I was staying at his place to help take care of my mom. My mom is 87 and my dad is 88 and both are struggling with their health. I am going to be spending more time with them to help them out, so it may be difficult to blog in the near future.

So dad can't drive at the moment and he pretty much only shops at Walmart. The nearest Walmart to his Chicago condo is in the Austin Neighborhood, one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Chicago. He made me take him there last week. I was not comfortable in this Walmart at all. I drove my dad in his Lexus to the hood. I can't believe he regularly shops at this Walmart!

On the way back, we stopped at Jimmy's on Grand for some classic Chicago hot dogs. Jimmy's has been around since 1954. I used to regularly stop at Jimmy's back in the 1990's while delivering my Barfly Newspaper in the area. I remember great dogs and fries. This time, the dogs weren't so great. The fries are still the best. 

Busy, busy, busy!

It is currently the National Week, my favorite time of the year. I have been pricing cards like mad these past few months in preparation for the National. I still have more cards I could price but I am just tapped out. Hopefully, I got enough done!

I will be in Booths 3717 and 3816 with my pal Scott Ziegert. While I absolutely love the National, this one will be a little bittersweet as it will be my first National ever where I do not set up with Dave.

The show must go on! I am taking over Dave's space and will have 15 display cases of vintage cards and room for more. Not sure what I am going to fill the extra space with. I am setting up Tuesday morning and will see if I can fill more than 15 display cases. If not, I am going to bring out my baseball binders.

I have a nice group of folks who are going to help me all week including Al Lavine, Bronco, my daughter Tabby, and Donny. Without Dave around, I am going to need some help! 

No rest for the weary. The Oak Creek show is set for August 9, the Saturday after the National. Then I am doing my all-vintage show in Oak Creek on August 23. The next MegaShow in Franklin is coming up fast on September 20.

Hope to see you at the National!!!

Saturday, July 19, 2025, Pewaukee High School, Pewaukee, WI

This was my first time setting up at the Pewaukee show and my first time in the town of Pewaukee. Nice show, nice town.

This show is run by the kind folks at Lake Country Cards who always run excellent shows. The show is located in a gym inside a school complex. I was set up near the front door, across from Tom Jahn. There were a few other vintage dealers. 

I thought the show was well attended but not a whole lot of vintage customers. I did sell some cards but could have used a few more sales. Nothing on the buying front.

I did enjoy a hot dog from the concession stand and many diet Cokes. Overall the show had a real nice vibe. I will definitely set up here again. I appreciate the reasonable table fee.

​The wife was kind enough to let me set up at the Pewaukee show as it was on our 28th wedding anniversary. We had a real nice dinner after the show.

The Pewaukee show is a monthly show usually on the third Saturday of the month.

I’ve fallen a little behind on the blog. Lot’s going on in my world. A lot of folks mentioned the blog at the Pewaukee show. Positive feedback is always much appreciated.

Orland blog coming soon. I am currently set up at a show in Naperville as I jot down my thoughts about Pewaukee. I’m setting up at a show in Countryside tomorrow.

The National is coming up next week. I’m never quite ready for the National. There is always cards to price! Come see me in Booth 3717.

Next Oak Creek show is August 9. My first all-vintage show is August 23, also in Oak Creek.

The 450-table MegaShow is set for September 20 at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex, 6000 Ryan Road, Franklin, WI.

Sunday, July 13, 2025, Concorde Banquets, Kildeer, IL

When promoter Costa Sampras contacted me and asked that I set up at this show, I initially said yes, even though the show was scheduled for the day after Oak Creek and I knew I'd be very tired. However, I live just 10 miles away and was kind of excited for a show close to home.

Then I learned that table fee was $75 for a six-footer and I quickly soured on the show. Other negatives I thought of was that this was Costa's first show and it was on the same day as the nearby Schaumburg show that is very popular and has been going on in various iterations since the 1980's. I also thought the $5 admission fee would be a deterrent.

Yet, Costa was persistent and I relented and booked just one table because I was concerned whether I would sell $75 at this show.

When my alarm went off on Sunday morning, oh, I so desperately wanted to hit snooze but knew I needed to get my butt out of bed and go to the show. It was so nice to drive a mere 20 minutes to a show -- that hasn't happened in years. Upon approaching the venue, I realized I knew the place and had driven by it many times in the past as I explored Route 12 for lunch spots, as it is very close to my office.

I arrived around 8 a.m., parked in back, as instructed and loaded in through the kitchen. All the tables had the dealer's names on them -- thank you! So it was very easy finding my table.

Nice room. Probably more suited for a wedding than a card show. 

I was pleasantly surprised that I was located between two sports card dealers. I thought I would be stuck between two Pokémon dealers. While I have nothing against Pokémon dealers, per se, I have had some bad experiences in the past being stuck in the middle of Poke-land and having their customers stand in front of my tables all day, blocking it from view from potential vintage sports card buyers.

None of my neighbor's customers stood in front of my table blocking it from view from potential customers today. Thank you! If anything, my customers blocked their tables. Sorry!

The dealer on my left was old friend Chicagoland Sports Card Shop located in nearby Buffalo Grove. I've known owners Les and Mark for years. No Les today but Mark was there with his kids. I don't think Les has set up at a show since Gonzaga shut down. Too bad. He would always bring doughnuts to share when he would set up at Gonzaga or Orland back in the day.

Mark did not have any doughnuts but he showed me some amazingly cool cards that walked into the shop recently including four 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth cards, a 1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig, a 1934 Goudey Lou Gehrig and a 1933 Delong Lou Gehrig. So cool!

Mark was asking a little over $100K for the cards. Tony D. offered $80K. Mark is firm at $100K. Wish I had $100K to drop on the cards! Who wants to loan me some money?

It was so nice being set up next to Mark all day. Also, the young guy from the shop who largely covered the tables was super friendly.

On the other side was a dealer from Huntley, Illinois, and he had two tables of modern sports. Nice guy, as well.

The show had two rooms. I think around 150 tables or so in total. A couple autograph guests were there as well. I know Dennis McKinnon was one. Not sure who the other was. The autographs were located on the second floor.

I brought out just three display cases and one discount box. I've done so many shows that I know only three cases comfortably fit on a six-foot table with some room leftover for a shoe box.

I had just two display cases out in Oak Creek on the day prior so I knew if some of my Oak Creek customers came to the show they would see a lot of new cards in my third case along with the discount box which was new for this show.

My fastest set up ever! I've done shows with just one six-foot table in the past. I used to get one six-footer in Strongsville and was able to jam five display cases on there by bringing a small table to put behind the six-footer and placing four cases on their side, leaning off the table. One small case would also fit on the end. That old Strongsville set up was tough and I don't particularly like it, so I went with the easier three-case set up and one discount box.

I finished setting up at 8:20 a.m. and dealers were still arriving. I tried to find some coffee but the concession stand had not opened and I observed that coffee was not even on the menu.

I recalled seeing a Starbucks on my previous travels down Route 12. I locked up my cases, placed the discount box on my chair behind the table and alerted the young guy from Chicagoland Sports that I would be gone for 15 or 20 minutes.

There was a Starbucks real close by on Lake Cook Road. I got an extra-large iced coffee and returned to the show quickly.

Not much doing at the show early on, so I just caffeinated for a while. Not too many people took advantage of the early VIP entry that cost $10. The place started to fill up at 10 a.m. By 11 a.m. there was quite a crowd and I was impressed.

Steve from Jim and Steve's Card Shop in Waukegan was my first customer. Steve purchased my 1969 Topps autographed Billy Williams card along with a few other things to start my day right. Thanks Steve!!

Then I had a steady stream of guys for the next few hours. Most of them I had never seen before. I love new customers! I was surprised how busy I was at this show. My old pal Chuck stopped by to see me and purchased some cards. Thanks Chuck!

A young guy who lives nearby in Vernon Hills who I first met him in Oak Creek stopped by. Young Eric who lives in nearby Libertyville and who helped me at the National last time it was in Chicago stopped by. A new customer pulled out just about all of my 1959 Topps from my discount box and at least half of the '59s I had in my case. Woot! Derek came out to see me and purchased some cards. Thanks Derek!

I ended up having a really good day! I was shocked. Shows you what I know. 

Along with good sales, excellent attendance, I really liked the fact that this show had waiters walking around. I put one of the waiters to work bringing me diet Cokes all day. I also ordered a hamburger which was delicious.

On the buying front, nothing, nada, zilch. There was the requisite kids offering me crappy modern cards. One guy showed me some vintage cards, mid 1960's stuff, lots of stars but they all had paste marks on the back. I told him I would be interested in purchasing the cards but I don't pay much when they have paste on the back of them. I think he thought he had gold and declined to sell me the cards. Good luck with those!

Regardless, I really want to set up here again. However, the next show scheduled is a three-day show in the middle of December. Not sure I can do that one. Also, I don't really want to set up here for three days but after having such a good show, I just might do it.

Up next for me is the Peewaukee show on Saturday, July 26, and Orland on Sunday, July 27. I will have a near set of 1962 Topps football available next weekend. I am still working on reloading my 1961 Topps baseball and don't think I'll have it done by next weekend.

Next Oak Creek show is on August 9, the second Saturday of August due to the National being on the first Saturday.

Come find me and my pal Scott Ziegert at the National from July 30 to August 3 at the Stephens Center in Rosemont, IL. We will be in booths 3816 and 3717. I have been pricing a ton of cards for the National and should have some really neat stuff at the show.

Then on Saturday, August 23, 2025, I am running an all-vintage show in Oak Creek. Vintage cut-off is 1986 Fleer basketball. No dealers should have anything newer on their tables. Tables are cheap and can be reserved by contacting me at [email protected].

The next MegaShow is September 20 at the Milwaukee Sports Complex in Franklin, WI, and will feature 450 tables. Tables are available and interested dealers can contact me at the above email.

I have some other stuff in the works and will announce more shows soon!

A big thank you to Costa for running an excellent show!! I also appreciate everyone who purchased cards from me at the Kildeer show. Thank you!

​Hope to see you this weekend in Peewaukee and Orland!!

Saturday, July 9, 2025, Salvation Army Community Center, Oak Creek, WI

When I say the July show was hot, I mean it literally was hot. Stifling hot.

​Sorry!

I had no idea that the air conditioning would be out in the gym. Ugh!

I was there Friday night for set up and there was no issue with the AC. Though, shortly after I got home after set up, a crazy lightning storm hit that lit up my whole backyard. Apparently lightning hit the Salvation Army and knocked out the air conditioning -- it took us a while to realize it.

I was receiving complaints about the temp in the gym around 8 a.m. Saturday when the AC was not on anywhere in the building. I talked with Ken, who makes our wonderful sloppy Joe and manages the concession stand, who told me the AC is set on a timer and will probably kick in around 9 a.m. Well, at 9, the AC kicked in everywhere except the gym. 

Then Major Dana, who is in charge of the whole place, stepped into action. Unfortunately, the AC system in the building is rather complicated. It is not like the AC in my house where I just have to flip a switch and it kicks in. At the Salvation Army, you have to plug a laptop into the system and do some computer functions to get it going.

Major Dana plugged in her laptop and attempted to ignite the AC. Unfortunately, it would not turn on, so she called her AC repair guy to come on out. The technician was able to determine that lightning had knocked out the system the night prior. He was able to get it on in the gym around 11 a.m. but the doors to the gym were open and it took a while for it to cool off.

Unfortunately, it was absolutely horrible in the gym most of the day -- hot and humid.

Major Dana went around the gym and passed out some cold bottles of water. Not much else we could do. Sorry everybody!!!

It was a tough day for the folks in the gym. I was afraid to go in there 'cause I thought I'd get yelled at.

I felt guilty in the comfortably cold Chapel where my sales were excellent. I sold a ton of cards. Jeff purchased a pile of 1961 Fleer Greats of the Game and some 1961 Post Cereal. One of my Madison guys came down and purchased a pile of 1960 Topps baseball. I sold all sorts of other stuff as well. 

I brought out all of my baseball binders and two display cases. I was surprised that I only sold a couple of cards out of the display cases.

I quickly turned all the cash into cards. It was a buying frenzy at my tables. Eddy started things off by selling me some 1953 Bowman football. Thanks Eddy! Someone sold me a bunch of 1967 and 1968 Topps stars, I can't remember who! I also can't remember who sold me the stack of 1958 and 1959 Topps baseball!! I blame my lack of memory on the heat in the gym.

I do remember that Phil sold me a box of 1973 Topps baseball. My guy who sells me slabbed cards had a whole stack of stuff for me this month. I actually haven't seen him in a while. 

Then John sold me a near set of 1968 Topps baseball. Thanks John! I also worked out a deal with Shawn for some 1954 Bowman football cards. Thanks Shawn.

Quite a haul!! Thanks everybody. So fun to buy cards!!!

I kind of felt bad for having so much fun in the Chapel while everyone suffered in the gym. I am so sorry guys! I hope the AC works for the August 9 show!!

I think the heat set off some tempers in the gym. There were a few conflicts between dealers. Hopefully, we can all go forward and be kind to one another!

Speaking of hotheads, I do have a few rants...

I have been having a problem with newer dealers setting up then leaving without paying me for their space. To nip it in the bud, I put out a newsletter last month noting that any dealer that leaves without paying will be banned from the show.

Well, what do you know? One numbnut left last month without paying for his space. He showed up this morning wondering where his spot was. I told him there was no spot because he did not pay me last month. He gave me all sorts of crap arguments. I told him that he must be responsible enough to pay me before he leaves the building and if he can't do that, he can't expect space at the next month's show.

I was nice to him and found him a spot. I had one n0-show dealer this month and was able to insert numbnut into the no-show spot. I expect an argument from no-show guy next month when he sees his spot occupied by someone else. Still not sure if I will have space for numbnut next month. I expect further arguments from him. 

Another problem I observed occurred when I arrived at the building around 6:45 a.m. and saw customers already in the building. Not cool. Show opens at 9 a.m. and customers should not be in the building prior.

There are a couple of problems with early arrivals. I, for one, hate dealing with customers while I am setting up. It slows down my set up and sometime prevents me from having all my wares out when the opening bell rings, resulting in lost sales.

Second problem -- if there are any early morning thefts while dealers are setting up, these early-arriving customers will be the first to be accused. So please do not arrive to the show before 9 a.m. if you are not a dealer with a spot reserved at the show.

Another issue at this month's show was the large number of new show promoters raiding my show. Seems like new show promoters are growing like weeds and they attack my show like flies to shit.

I have a few rules for new promoters trying to ride my coattails. First, they have to ask my permission to promote their event at my show. If they are set up as a dealer, then I don't mind if they leave flyers on their own table -- if they want to leave them anywhere else, they need to ask. Second rule is that they must take some of my flyers and distribute them at their show. If you are going to come into my show to promoter your event, it is only fair that I get something in return, like simply leaving my flyers at your show. Is that too much to ask?

Most show promoters have a degree of common sense and courtesy and ask me prior. I did see one show promoter this morning walking around without my permission and promoting his event.  This dude was walking around my show at 7 a.m. trying to recruit dealers. What a dickhead move!! 

It amazes me all the bullshit I have to put up with. 

In the 11 years I have been operating my card show, I have watched dozens of other card show promoters come and go. I strongly suspect this dooshbag, who was there at 7 a.m., won't last very long.

Now, I have nothing against other shows. Anyone can promote a show if they want. I might even set up. I really like when other show promoters ask me to set up. Actually, I love setting up at shows but some weekends I can't find a show. So there is room for more shows -- just don't be a dickhead about it is all I ask.

Speaking of new shows, I was set up at a new show on Sunday. The promoter of this new show in Kildeer, Illinois, is a stand-up guy. Young Costa Sampras contacted me months ago and asked that I set up at his show. I agreed. He asked if he could hand out flyers in Oak Creek. No problem. Then he announced my September 20 MegaShow over the loud speaker in the middle of his show -- much appreciated.  

There is a right way and a wrong way to do things. Those that have success, do it the right way. 

Another show promoter that I absolutely love is Lake Country Cards. I am setting up at their Peewaukee Show on Saturday, July 19. Then there is Rich, Karen, and the crew that operate the Orland Park show. I can't tell you how much I appreciate and love those guys. I will be set up at their show on Sunday, July 20, at the Orland Park Civic Center.

Next Oak Creek show is August 9. Once again we will be on the second Saturday of the month due to the National being down I94 during the first Saturday of August. Come find me and my pal Scott Ziegert in booths 3816 and 3717 at the National from July 30 through August 2 at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.

I really don't know how to get the word out to everybody that the July and August shows are the second Saturday, instead of the usual first Saturday. Several older guys told me that they came on out on July 5 expecting the show. Sorry!

Hopefully, they will come to some of my new shows. I have a unique show scheduled for August 23 in Oak Creek -- an all vintage show. No modern, no Pokémon allowed. My cut-off for vintage is 1986 Fleer basketball. No one should have anything newer on their tables. Dealer tables are available, send me an email at [email protected].

Tables are also available for my 450-table MegaShow slated for September 20 at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex in Franklin, WI. Send dealer table requests to the above email.

Sorry again about the horrible heat in the gym. We should be good to go next month. Thanks for attending the July 9 Oak Creek show. We had 1,055 through the door. Much appreciated.

​Now for some photos from the July 9 show:

I have made so many wonderful friends in my sports card journey that began way back in 1975 and continues to this day. While I cherish and appreciate them all, the one person that stands out the most is Dave McDonald. 

Dave and I have set up together at so many shows that I considered him my partner of sorts. For the past 25 years, anytime I was set up at a three-day show anywhere in the country, Dave was at my side.

Years and years of fun. Though, at times, admittedly, we really got on each other's nerves. One bone of contention was Dave's refusal to join the modern world and obtain a cell phone -- it drove me nuts! But really, I was nuts about Dave, an amazing friend.

I owe it all to Bob Downing, one of the funniest guys you will ever meet. If Bob wasn't so damn funny, I would have never met Dave.

Here's the story:

In the late 1990's and early 2000's, I used to set up at George Johnson's three-day Chicago Sun-Times shows in Rosemont, Illinois. I would reserve one space in which an 8-foot table was provided. I would bring in two card tables and place them behind the 8-footers and fill all the space with binders.

Sometimes I would bring out some display cases filled vintage sports star cards. In those days, I had one aluminum case and two butterfly display cases. Well, I was doing a lot of shows and my inventory was growing by leaps and bounds. I needed another case.

In stepped my dad, a legendary picker, and he had purchased a homemade gun display case at a garage sale in the sticks in southwest Michigan. He gave me the case to use for the card shows.

The backwoods gun guy who built the case, made a wood frame, hammered it onto some particle board and lined it with wood shelves, then installed a window on top. The window slid in and out of the frame.

I took out the shelves and started to bring the case to card shows and used it to display cards.

I brought the gun case out to a Sun-Times show around the year 2000 and just by chance was set up next to Bob and Dave, who used to set up at all the Sun-Times shows together. Back then, Bob and Dave worked together at a company in Broadview, Illinois.

Being by myself and not getting much action at my tables, I found myself watching Bob and Dave, who I did not know at the time. I think they had split two spaces. I observed that there was this weird guy standing in front of their tables, talking to them, just about all day. I remember thinking, I would not be happy if that guy stood in front of my table all day blocking my cards from customer view.

I did have a few customers. Some who wanted to see the cards in the gun case. Anytime I had to pull cards from the case, I had to slide the top window out, sometimes pulling it completely out then struggling to get it back in. Needless to say, it was not a very good case and a pain in the ass to use. It eventually disintegrated and I tossed it in the trash a few months later. I then started purchasing aluminum cases from Levi at the Sun-Times shows.

Back at that first show where I met Bob and Dave, Bob was intrigued with the gun case and started asking me about it. I explained how I obtained the case and how it worked. Bob thought the case was one of the craziest things he had ever seen at a card show.

My goofy display case was a conversation starter. I spent the rest of that show chatting with Bob and Dave.

One of the first things Bob said to me was how he had this maniacal plan to corner the market on 1969 Topps Football Dick Shiner cards. Bob showed me a stack of them he had purchased at the show. He said he had thousands of them. He told me how, for laughs, he stuck some inside a friend's kitchen wall while they were rehabbing the kitchen.

The more Bob talked to me, the more I just started laughing. From that day on, Bob has kept me in stiches. 

I remember spending that whole show talking with Bob and Dave and realizing that these guys were awesome. We three became lifelong friends after that first Sun-Times show. 

We set up together at all the Sun-Times shows for the next 10 years or so and started setting up together at the National.

Those shows with Bob and Dave were pure joy. I had so much fun with those guys, even though my sales at the Sun-Times shows were lousy back then. I used to do much better at the small shows like Orland rather than at the Sun-Times.

Dave was the alpha dealer of the group. Bob and I spent a lot of time just watching Dave sell cards. With nothing doing at my tables, I ended up helping Dave with his sales. Dave would hand me his calculator and stack of cards that someone wanted to purchase, and I would add them up.

Dave was on another level as a sports card dealer. He was the most successful dealer that I knew. We basically sold the same stuff but the difference was that all of his cards were high grade while I did not care, still do not care, about condition. My only criteria for cards is that they have to be old.

Dave had an amazing eye. He could spot flaws in cards that I never could see. He had some reliable sources where he could purchase bushels of high-grade vintage cards. He always talked about his buddy Bob from Berwyn, not to be confused with our buddy Bob who had cornered the market on Dick Shiner. Bob from Berwyn seemed to supply Dave with endless amounts of high-grade vintage cards. I even got to meet the legendary Bob from Berwyn a few times.

With the best selection of high-grade vintage sports cards at any show, folks flocked to Dave whenever we were set up together. It was remarkable to watch. I did not like many of his customers because they would scoff at my lower grade cards. Though, there were some gems that shopped at Dave's table like Larry from Aurora, Chris from Cincinnati, law professor Sandy and a few others.

Eventually, Dick Shiner Bob obtained a better job at a major company in Skokie while Dave stayed behind at the company in Broadview and eventually retired. Bob was onto better and bigger things. His new job took him all over the world and he could no longer set up with us. I think it was around 2009 and it was just Dave and I now at the Sun-Times show, then we took in additional guys to join us at the National.

Dave and I worked well together at the big shows. We would send customers to each other. We would help each other when one got busy and the other was slow. We would watch each other's cards while one of us went on a bathroom or food break.

At one point, we decided we should do some shows outside of the Chicago area. I got on the waitlist for the Strongsville Ohio Vintage show and eventually obtained two tables. Dave and I started setting up in Strongsville every year beginning around 2010. We tried other big shows together like Pittsburgh, the Moeller show in Cincinnati and traveled to places like Atlantic City and Cleveland for the National. We also did many one-day shows together in Chicago and Wisconsin.

For the past 25 years, I never went more than a month or two without setting up with Dave at a show.

We had a routine that if we were doing a show out east, I would pick him up the day before the show at his house. If we were doing a show up north, Dave would pick me up at my house.

In the last few years, we started taking some extra days during our trips to the National or Strongsville, making mini-vacations out of it. It was fun. We stopped off at museums and casinos on our way to various out-of-state card shows.

Dave loved to drive... or maybe he just didn't like my driving, because he usually drove while I enjoyed being a passenger.

Once in the car, we chatted like old friends who had not seen each other in years. We always talked about cards, the characters we met at card shows, food, rock music, antique automobiles, motorcycles, boxing, the Blackhawks and the Cubs. If the Blackhawks or the Cubs were playing, we had them on the radio.

Man, we had so many good times. In Pittsburgh, Dave put me to work adding up the price of his cards while a big national buyer purchased thousands of dollars of cards from him. Dave bought dinner that night.

In Strongsville, we loved going to dinner with Mark Smith and Hockey Greg. One night in Strongsville, Dave surprised us with a random story about Ed Bouchee, a journeyman ball player from the 1950's. Dave asked us if we knew why Bouchee had a baseball card in 1957 and 1959 but not in 1958. None of us knew. According to Dave, Bouchee was arrested in the 1950's for exposing himself to several young girls. Bouchee went to jail in 1958 and therefore did not have a card that year.

A lot of jokes about Bouchee followed, then for the next several years at the Strongsville show, Mark and Greg would send someone to Dave's table who would ask him for Ed Bouchee cards. Every time it would happen, we would look over across the room at Mark and Greg and see them cracking up. 

Jokes aside, Dave had incredible knowledge about 1950's baseball and baseball cards, especially the 1953 Topps set which was his specialty. You could name a player in the 1953 set and he could instantly tell you the card number. He knew which cards were difficult to obtain. Which cards were never centered. He was remarkable.

At each show, we would discuss our purchases. I valued Dave's opinion and advice and would often run potential deals by him before I made the purchase.

I usually did not offer much criticism to Dave. However, there was one Strongsville show where I thought he was going to lose several thousand dollars and I tried to stop him but to no avail.

A customer had spent an hour or so at Dave's table pulling cards. He ended up pulling a few large stacks of cards. I think I added them up and it came out to around $3,000. The customer then told Dave that he ran out of money earlier at the show and asked if he could take the cards home to Maryland and mail Dave a check.

Neither Dave nor I had ever seen this guy before. He did not offer any references.

Dave said sure, I don't know you from Adam but take $3,000 worth of my cards and go back to Maryland and mail me a check to Chicago.

Okay, he didn't really say that but that is what happened.

I said no way! Dave, no!!

I told the guy to pay Dave via PayPal. The guy said he did not have PayPal. This was on a Saturday and I figured local banks were still open. I told the guy to go to a bank and come back with the cash.

Dave waved me off. He gave the guy his address and let him walk away with $3K in cards. We argued about it for the rest of the weekend.

Dave grew tired of my criticism. I was certain Dave had just been ripped off. Dave offered me a wager that if the guy does not send a check by the National, he would buy me a steak dinner. If the guy did send a check, I would buy Dave a steak dinner.

To my shock, I ended up buying Dave a steak dinner. That freakin' guy sent Dave a check. The check was good. We even saw him again at the next Strongsville show.

Amazing. Dave always amazed me. We always had good times.

I've got so many stories, I don't know where to stop. Please bear with me.

Seems like most of my stories are from Strongsville.

Several years ago, one of my doctors placed me on four or five new meds to combat my high blood pressure right before a Strongsville show.

I took the meds before I arrived at Dave's house. Then once in Ohio, we stopped off at a Burger King for lunch. I took some insulin and ate my Whopper. I think the Whopper was the first thing I ate that day. Apparently, I did not need the insulin and once back on the road I went hypoglycemic. I asked Dave to pull over so I could get some candy and raise my blood sugar. 

I downed some candy and no longer felt hypoglycemic but something else started to happen. I don't know exactly what it was, maybe a reaction to the new meds, but I started to shake uncontrollably and my head started to pound. I tried to fight through it but only felt worse. I asked Dave to take me to a hospital.

At the hospital, they checked my blood sugar which was through the roof. Guess I ate too much candy. They sent me back to the waiting room where I continued to feel awful. At one point I went to the bathroom and passed out. Dave grew concerned and found me, revived me and helped me back to a chair in the waiting room.

​After about an hour in the waiting room and the hospital failing to attend to my high blood sugar and additional symptoms, I decided the best thing for me would be to leave and take some insulin I had in the car. 

Dave helped me to the car. He almost had to carry me. I took some insulin. We made it to the hotel in Strongsville where I hydrated after feeling severely dehydrated. Dave went to set up while I recovered in the room. I kind of felt lousy all weekend but not as bad as I did on the drive to the show.

Dave went and got me some much-needed Gatorade and Tylenol. I am so thankful he was there to help me, even though the hospital did nothing. Hospitals suck. You are better off taking care of yourself and it helps to have a friend like Dave.

So many good times, some crazy, with Dave in Strongsville. When new promoters took over the Strongsville show and raised the table fee several years ago, Dave did not want to do the show any longer. It has been a little scary driving out there by myself, knowing I could go hypoglycemic or worse with nobody to help me.

I've come to rely on Dave for so much more than just being my pal at card shows. It is going to be extremely difficult going forward without Dave. 

Dave died the morning of July 6 from cancer. He only recently learned he had cancer, it happened so quick.

He had several other health issues these past couple of years and I was concerned. I last saw him at the Kane County show in May and he did not look well and did not have much energy. He packed up early, placed his usual brown boxes and three display cases on his old blue cart and walked out. 

He said, "Goodbye Tone."

For some reason, I just knew that would be the last time I would see him. I was sad but tried to hide it for the rest of the show.

I was so heartbroken when his wonderful wife Cindy called to let me know about Dave's cancer diagnosis. I was crushed when Cindy texted two weeks later to let me know Dave passed surrounded by family.

This just hurts.

We lost a special person. One of my best friends ever. My card show companion.

I can't say how much I appreciated my friendship with Dave and all the good times. There are some special people out there that make your life better -- Dave was one of those people.

​Rest in peace my amazing friend. Thank you for all the fun times. My sincerest condolences to Cindy and sons Andy and Bill.  

A memorial gathering for Dave will be held on Tuesday, July 15, 10 a.m., followed by a service at noon, at Steuerle Funeral Home, 15 W. Park Blvd. Villa Park, IL.

Bob, Tony and Dave at a Sun-Time show. Bob reminded me how Dave always had a bag of pretzel rods at every show and would make us some amazing sandwiches.

Sunday, June 29, 2025, IBEW Local 364, Rockford, IL

Every few months or so, I forget to set my alarm clock or set it at the wrong time on the night before a show. I forgot to set my alarm clock the night before the Rockford show. I normally wake up at 6 a.m. for this show. I randomly woke up Sunday morning and looked at the clock on my nightstand and observed the time at 8 a.m. Still time to make the show but I would be late. I hate being late! Ugh!

How come every time I am late and racing to get somewhere I hear in my head "Mrs Robinson" by Simon and Garfunkel?

Doot to doot to do

I still had to grump, shower and load the car before hitting the road at 8:45 a.m. I think I made it to the show around 9:35 a.m. Luckily, I was able to make it into the venue with just one load.

The place was packed while I was setting up. Promoters Mike and John were cool with me being late but I hate when dealers are late to my show, so I hate doing it to other promoters.

Anyway, I brought out all of my baseball binders and two display cases. I finally finished setting up around 10 a.m. when Paul sat down in front of my binders and told me he was looking for me all morning.

Sorry!

Pictured above is Paul, who came down from Madison to go through my binders. Paul is an interesting character. While chatting with him at the Rockford show, I learned that he is a published author and writes books about family lineage. He said he is going to bring me a book at the next show.

​Early on at the Rockford show, I was a little out of sorts and stressed by being so late. I felt much better upon hearing some 1970's disco music coming from an Alexa supplied by the dealers behind me. I explained to them that I grew up in the disco era and really like the Bee Gees. The guys programmed some Bee Gees for me. Thank you!

I was next to Kurt today. Tom was on the other side of Kurt. Big Mark was in the back of the room.

Much better sales this time in Rockford than my last show here. Paul spent a good hour pulling cards from my binders. Thanks Paul. Gary G. purchased some cards. Thanks Gary! My Janesville guys came out and purchased some cards. Thanks guys! I sold a few odds and ends and was pleased at the improved sales.

On the buying front, nothing walked up other than young guys and kids trying to sell me their modern cards of which I have no interest. When things died down at the end of the day, I took a walk around the show. Brad G., who my wife likes to call "Brad Pitt," offered me a few vintage cards including a 1959 Topps Baseball Thrills Willie Mays, a 1959 Topps Ernie Banks All Star and a 1969 Topps Willie Mays. Brad gave me a nice deal and I purchased the cards. Thanks Brad!

What started out as a hectic day turned out well in the end. I enjoyed myself. A big thank you to Mike and John who always run excellent shows.

My next Rockford show will be on August 24. Mike and John have a new location for that one, it will be held at the Rockford Christian Performing Art Center, 1401 N. Bell School Road, in Rockford.

Up next is the Oak Creek show on July 12. As usual, dealer space is sold out and my waiting list is just out of hand. I honestly wish people would stop requesting to be added to the list. The wait for space is around two years.

New problem with the waiting list is that guys keep asking me where they are on the list. I don't have time for this and am going to stop responding. I'll let them know when space will be available but it won't be any time soon.

On a sad note, I am sorry to report that Debbie Lewis passed away on July 4. I met Debbie shortly after meeting her husband Mark around 7 years ago. Mark is in charge of events at the Salvation Army and we have become great friends. Debbie was such a kind person and I was lucky to know her. My condolences to Debbie and Mark's family and friends.

A Celebration of Life for Debbie will be held Friday, July 11, 2025, at the Salvation Army Community Center, 8853 S. Howell, Oak Creek, WI. Visitation at 9 a.m., service at 10 a.m. There will be a graveside service at 2 p.m. at Glen Oak Cemetery, 5401 Roosevelt Road, Hillside, IL.