Sunday, August 20, 2023, Civic Center, Orland Park, IL

This was a double-bill weekend with Woodstock on Saturday and Orland on Sunday. I’ve got more space in Orland, so I loaded four more display cases into the car Sunday morning.

Easy ride down to Orland but I am so over all of this road construction on the I294. I arrived at the Civic Center around 7:45 a.m., a little early for me but I had 11 display cases I needed to fill up before customers started to arrive.

I was able to put out all of my graded cards and all of my raw baseball cards. I had additional space for raw football from 1948 through 1962. The crowd in Orland usually arrives at my tables late, so I figured I had some extra time to load the display cases. No such luck. Folks were at my cases as soon as the show opened and I was not nearly done filling the cases.

I learned long ago that if I start helping customers before all of the cases are loaded, I’ll never finish loading them. I started to stress out, put my head down, ignored the customers the best I could, and continued to load up until all the cases were filled. I think I finished around 9:15 a.m. — not bad.

The room filled up quickly. Nice crowd. I was busy! I was selling cards left and right. I waited too long to write this blog and don’t really remember what I sold. I think by 10 a.m., I had more than doubled my sales from Woodstock the day before. 

I just love the Orland show. It is such a tremendous show for me. I know I have said this before but at most shows I feel like a relic with my vintage cards. However, at Orland, there is a large number of vintage collectors and I almost always have a great day. This was another great day!

I remember that Eddie bought a bunch of graded cards. Andy purchased some cards. My guy working on the 1950 Bowman set found some cards. Gil just about cleared out my 1964s. Will purchased a bunch of 1954 Bowmans. My guy working on the 1959 Topps set found a few cards. Rick purchased a few cards. That is about all I can remember. Sales were fast and furious the first two hours then slowed considerably.

Oddly, around 11:30 a.m., the buying crowd transformed into a selling crowd. This may have been my best buying day in Orland of the year! I bought all sorts of stuff including a 1963 Fleer Sandy Koufax, a 1969 Topps Hank Aaron, some 1971 Topps baseball high numbers, a 1933 Goudey Jessie Haines, a 1951 Bowman Dixie Walker, a 1960 Topps Nellie Fox All Star, a 1965 Topps Joe Morgan rookie, a 1975 Topps Mini ‘74 Highlights Al Kaline, a 1965 Yaz, a nice little grouping of 1958 Topps that included Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson, Sandy Koufax and Willie Mays.

I purchased a nice grouping of commons from the 1950’s and 1960’s from a seller who said he “won” the cards from an online break group. He tried to explain it to me but I did not get it. That whole breaking stuff is a different world to me.

I capped off this buying spree with a purchase of around 2,000 1975 Topps baseball, mostly commons but a few stars mixed in.

It was a crazy day. I think by 11:30 a.m., I had this huge wad of cash in by pocket. Then by 1 p.m., I had just about spent it all on cards. Back in the day, this was a regular occurrence in Orland but not so much in recent years. It sure was fun selling and buying all those cards.

Rich, Karen and the rest of the crew do such a wonderful job with this show. They are the best!

My pal Joe finally won one of the hourly drawings. There was a time when Joe seemed to win every month but he has not won in years. Will, Joe and I capped off a great day at the sub shop. I went with a meatball sandwich that was delish as always.

I can’t wait for the next Orland show slated for September 17, 2023. I will probably go back to binders for that one. I should have that 1970 Topps baseball binder done by then. I also hope to load up some 1951 Topps Magic Football before that show.

In the meantime, the mighty Oak Creek show is coming up this Saturday, September 2, 2023, at the Salvation Army Community Center, 8853 S. Howell, in beautiful Oak Creek, WI. I’ve got another full house of dealers featuring everything from vintage to modern sports to Pokémon and more!

Sorry for the delay in getting this blog out. I spent most of last week in East Lansing, Michigan, moving my son into his dorm at Michigan State. Gawd, that dorm is crappy. I’m a little concerned about the boy. The temperature was hot last week and there is no air conditioning in the dorm. My poor guy suffered in that heat. 

I made the mistake of walking around the campus in the heat. That was rough. 

The campus was crowded! Much unlike earlier in the summer, when we visited a couple of times and had the whole place to ourselves. I was taken aback by just how young all the students look. I remember when I went away to college in the mid-1980’s, I thought all the students looked so old.

The wife and I got choked up when we left East Lansing. I know the kid will be fine but I am going to miss him terribly. He is such a good kid. So pleasant and helpful at home. I gotta figure out when I can get back there for a visit. I have been texting him several times each day. I hope I am not bugging him. I’ll slow down once I know he is settled in. 

Anyway, I should be able to get the Oak Creek blog completed shortly after the show next week. Hope you guys can make it out to Oak Creek!

​Below are a couple more photos from Orland then one from the Michigan State move in.

Saturday, August 19, 2023, Woodstock North High School, Woodstock, IL

I am soooo far behind in reloading the binders. I lost a good three weeks prepping for the National then spending five days at the National. I have been slowly reloading my 1970 Topps baseball binder. Here is why it takes me so long:

I am not sure how many months there are in-between reloads but during that time I am buying cards just about every week. Those new purchases are not organized. Pretty much all of these purchases occur at card shows. I usually purchase a shoe box or a five-thousand count box -- sometimes more, sometimes less.

I take these boxes home and sometimes distribute the cards into boxes I already have or just leave them in the box they came in. There are a growing number of boxes in the card bunker. I have no idea how many there are but there are a lot of them and I am running out of space! So in preparation for a reload, I go through a box or two a night and pull out, say, all of the 1970 Topps.

A big problem I have with a year like 1970 is that I have soooo many cards... thousands. As a result, I don't pull out all of the cards I have. For the 1970 Topps, I pulled out around 3,000 or 4,000 cards. I have thousands more. Once I pull out the cards, I have to place them in numerical order. Rarely do I purchase cards that come in numerical order. It is quite a job pulling out the cards and placing them in numerical order.

Once the cards are in numerical order, I dig out my backstock that I previously collated last time I filled out the binder. For 1970 Topps, we are talking around 5,000 cards. Next up, I match up my backstock with the new cards, around 8,000 or 9,000 cards in total, and pull out around three of each card that I want to place in the binder. This is quite a job in itself because some players I have fifty or so of the one card. Then I check the condition of the cards, price them and place them in the binder.

While I am doing this, I also pull some cards for my cheapy boxes and I usually put together a lot that I will either sell on eBay or at a card show. In some cases, I work on building sets as well. I am currently building two 1970 Topps sets. 

This whole process is slowed because I can't help reading the stats on the back of each card! 

The 1970 Topps binder is coming along nicely. I just finished loading up to card 400. I still have a ways to go and I don't know when I will have it completed.

I just don't like bringing out the binders to shows unless I have at least one newly reloaded. So until I finish up that 1970 Topps binder, I am bringing out showcases. My showcase inventory is really nice right now since I bulked it up for the National.

The Woodstock show has nice 8-foot tables where I am able to fit 9 showcases. I filled up the cases with all of my raw baseball cards and a few years of football. I have done showcases in Woodstock a handful of times in the past. I recall one show where sales were excellent. Then there was another where I was shutout. 

I really had no idea what to expect for this August show. There has not been a Woodstock show since the spring. I was not sure if the lack of shows would help or hurt us. 

Attendance turned out to be kind of light. There was a great group of dealers. A lot of shows seem to get a good amount of dealers but fail to draw in customers. I tried to help promote this show and posted it all over the place online. I know I drew in a few customers. Thanks for coming guys! 

If the Woodstock show was a baseball game, I probably batted .250 -- not awful but not too good either. I really like this show. Curtis the promoter is great. The venue is great. The other dealers are great. We just need to somehow fill it up with customers.

Next Woodstock show is Saturday, September 16, 2023. I am fairly certain I will be there. Curtis usually contacts me a week or so before the show to let me know whether he has tables available. I am hoping we can draw a bigger crowd for that September 16th show. I hope to be back with the binders for that one. I am also working on my cheapy boxes and hope to have them ready to go as well.

I really appreciate my regular crew who purchased cards in Woodstock, like Dennis, Kevin, and Willie. A new customer purchased a bunch of 1951 Bowman baseball. A couple of other new customers made some small purchases. Thanks guys!

On the buying front... nada, nothing. I have made some nice purchases at this show in the past and was disappointed nobody offered me anything to sell. One guy did have some late 1970's that I was not interested in. If you think I have a lot of 1970 Topps, the number of cards I have from the late 1970's is through the roof!

Anyway, mark your calendars for September 16th! Let's bring in a crowd to Woodstock!!

I was set up in Orland on Sunday and owe you an Orland blog. In the meantime, I have nothing coming up for the final weekend of August. I may hit a flea market, either Paw Paw, Michigan, or Wilmot, Wisconsin. I am supposed to help my pops move from his old storage locker to a new one. So I may not be able to do a flea market. I am going to play it by ear.

The next Oak Creek show is coming up fast -- Saturday, September 2, 2023. My phone has been ringing off the hook, as usual. Everyone and their mother wants to set up in Oak Creek. This should be another good one!

A big thank you to Curtis and everyone in Woodstock. It was a nice day and I enjoyed myself! Cheers!

Saturday, August 5, 2023, Salvation Army Community Center, Oak Creek, WI

I was back at work on Monday after the National answering all of the messages I ignored the previous week. I spent all week prior to the Sal show dealing with folks that wanted to set up at the show. I ended up with a lot of new dealers, once again.

Interest in the show is strong. I thought it could go either way after the National. I figured some folks would be sick of cards while other folks would be charged up after that crazy week in Rosemont. More folks were charged up.

Lisa and I arrived at the Sal around 6 p.m. on Friday, August 4, 2023, and began organizing the space for the show. I invited a few dealers to come around for early set up. I'll have early set up again on September 1 for any dealers interested. Please arrive around 8 p.m. I don't recommend leaving any cards in the building because I do not know how secure it is. However, display cases and tables should be fine.

I have to apologize to the dealers because our morning load in is a cluster$%#^ ever since the Sal rented some space to Weight Watchers and blocked out the front parking lot. It is just a big problem for us. So I am trying to alleviate it with Friday night set up and I am arriving a little earlier on Saturday morning, around 7 a.m., to let folks get an early start. Please don't argue with our friends at the Salvation Army on Saturday morning. It is their building and we have to abide by their rules, no matter how inconvenient it can be.

Anyway, several dealers arrived Friday night to set up along with some extra help for Lisa and I. Our friends George and Kristy came by to help set up. Their help was much appreciated!

We finished setting up around 9 p.m. then George, Kristy, Lisa and I had a nice dinner at the Water Street Brewery.

Man, hotel prices in the Oak Creek area have shot up like crazy this summer. I used to be able to get a room at the Homewood Suites for about 100 bucks. Price was $350 for the night of August 4. WTF? We ended up staying at the Value Inn which was kind of crusty but not too bad. 

We were up bright and early Saturday morning in order to make it to the Sal around 7 a.m. I talked to so many new dealers and returning dealers this past week, I was not totally sure who exactly was going to show up Saturday. I had mapped out several spots that would be available for the folks who did not confirm but might show up. Several did, indeed, show up. While several others, who had confirmed, did not show up -- an ongoing problem. All I can do is try to weed these folks out. 

I was set up in the Chapel, once again. I brought out binders and was very busy all day. My newly reloaded 1964 Topps binder got a workout. Lisa has taken over collecting table fee for me so I can stay at the table and sell cards. I had a real nice day selling cards. I've got one customer, whose name escapes me, who lives in Madison but formerly lived in the Chicago area. We got to talking and realized we both worked at the Daily Herald Newspaper. He in the late 1980's, me in the early 1990's.

Jeff was back! He purchased a bunch of cards. I also sold cards to big Mike and Kevin. I love talking to Mike about his days on the radio. Bob bought some cards. My main man Kevin bought some cards. Dean bought some cards. So did many others. Thank you!!

Attendance reached 700, our largest crowd of the summer. No issues to report. 

New for September is a trading area to be located on the stage in the Chapel. I am going to put out a bunch of tables and chairs on the stage in the hopes that the many kids that sit on the floor all over the building during the show will, instead, flock here and conduct their trading/selling/buying on the tables provided.

I know some dealers don't like these business transactions among attendees but I think it adds to the show and it is especially important for the kids to be able to mingle amongst others their age and share in the joy of the hobby. Some of the older dealers are a little bit too ornery and need to chill. Remember, it is a hobby and we should all have some fun.

On the buying front, I ended up purchasing a nice group of 1969 Kellogg's baseball along with some other stuff. I picked up a 5,000-count box of cards from the 1970's -- like I really need more cards from the '70's! I have a problem. 

A big thank you to all the dealers and everyone who attended the show! 

Next Oak Creek show is coming up fast on September 2. I have a few dealer spaces available but they are filling up fast and will sell out before the show. Reminder, all new dealers must bring their own tables because the Sal has less and less of them at each show.

In the meantime, I have a double-bill weekend coming up with Woodstock on Saturday and Orland on Sunday. I'm bringing out display cases to both shows. I'll have some new 1970 Topps stars along with some 1960 Leaf baseball high numbers. Let me know if you want to see any binders.

​See you this weekend!

Below are some photos Lisa and I snapped of the August 5th Oak Creek show.

Sunday, July 30, 2023, Donald E. Stephens Center, Rosemont, IL

Final day! Woot! 

I was tired and needed this thing to end. After my usual morning routine, I figured out an exit strategy. There was a garage door nearby and I figured I could drive my car inside the room right up to the booth and load up and go.

In the meantime, I was hoping for some more sales. Oddly, the air conditioning was raging on Sunday after hardly working the whole week prior. It was cold in there! 

The folks from Boston started me off, purchasing my 1963 Fleer Football checklist and some other cards. The crowd Sunday was the lightest it had been all week. It sort of felt like a Sports Spectacular rather than a National. 

Sales trickled in. Not much doing at the booth so I wandered the room a little bit. I stopped at one of the supply company's booths to purchase some tall boy toploaders. I was informed that the toploaders were for display only. However, as I walked away, the guy tossed me the pack of toploaders and said my friend John Craig purchased them for me. Thanks John!

I stuffed the toploaders into my pocked and wandered a bit more and found the Robinson's Ribs stand and ordered a pulled pork sandwich that was kind of cold but still tasty. I think Robinson's was at the Sports Spectacular and I remember ordering a rib sandwich during that show and it was cold as well.

Back at the booth, a customer that purchased some T206's earlier in the week, came back to purchase some more. Not a whole lot doing Sunday. I seemed to sit around bored most of the day. I did not purchase any cards, though, but I was happy with my Saturday purchases.

We finally saw our friend Bob, who set up with me and Dave at the 2008 National. Bob brought us Polish sausages covered in grilled onions from the Robinson's booth. Those sausages were good!

I also saw a bunch more people I knew on Sunday like Brian P and Bronko, who interviewed me for a National wrap up vlog. I know I saw others but I am cursed with that faulty memory.

Dave packed up and left around 3 p.m. He just had four display cases and a few boxes. He was able to load everything on his cart and walk to the parking lot.

Around 3:30 p.m., I thought about packing up but then I got busy. There was a guy who bought a bunch of cards from Dave earlier in the week and came around looking for him. When I told him Dave had left, he looked at my display cases and purchased a bunch of cards from me. Woot!

Then our friend Larry came around looking for Dave. When I told Larry that Dave had gone home, Larry looked at my display cases and purchased a bunch of cards. Woot! Thanks Larry!

Those last two sales really helped out. 

I ended up with lower sales than the past two Nationals, making this my third best National. I'll take it!

My overall thoughts on the National...

The hobby is as strong as ever! More than 100,000 people attended the 2023 National, the largest crowd ever at a National. 

I think the folks that run this event need to bring in some lawyers because the air conditioning situation would not happen if a lawyer was involved. There needs to be a penalty clause in the contract with the venue in the event the air conditioning does not work. Believe me, if you hit them in the pocketbook, that air conditioning will work just fine, as it did on Sunday.

I was worried that our booth location would hurt sales but we benefitted by being located near the escalator where all the attendees entered the venue. I would take this location again.

I did not really get to see much of the show. I have been watching vlogs on YouTube that give some nice views of the entire show. I saw myself in one of them and I look really dopey.  Another vlog shows the vlogger purchasing a card from me, but you can only see me from the neck down... at least I don't look dopey in that one.

One of the things that struck me after viewing the vlogs is just how much the show has changed over the years. It used to just be a really large card show, with few corporate or auction houses in attendance. Now it seems like the card show is just a side deal to the whole thing. The corporate booths dominate with more corporate booths this year than I have ever seen at the National.

For me, I don't much care about the corporate booths and I do not pay much attention to them. I am there for the cards. I love cards, not corporations trying to make a buck off card collectors.

One of the things I miss that the show used to have in abundance is memorabilia. There used to be tons of guys selling old time baseball gloves, bats, uniforms and the like. There also used to be guys with binders of autographed postcards from players from the 1950's. Then there used to be guys set up with nothing but old-time baseball stadiums seats and turnstiles. Seems like those guys are all gone. 

There are more and more artists which I never cared for. The lawyer in me thinks they are in severe violation of copyright and trademark laws. I don't see how you can sell a painting of Rickey Henderson for $5K and not give him a piece of the profit. Rickey owns his image and has a legal right to state how it is used and sold.

I watched a bunch of YouTube vlogs where people are really bitching about this or that. Overall, my only real complaint is the air conditioning. The National is still the best show in the world, no matter what anybody says about it. The National is my best show as dealer each and every year.

I have seen a ton of chatter complaining about the location. I don't know, with more than 100,000 people through the door, I think the National is doing just fine in Chicago. If it ever goes out west again, it would be a real hardship for me to attend. Though, I would attend because of this stupid dealer priority system for obtaining tables. I just would not be able to bring out a whole lot of cards.

Anyway, even though I felt lousy due to health issues, I did have a good time and am looking forward to the 2024 National in Cleveland.

In the meantime, I'll be in Woodstock, Illinois, on August 19, then Orland on August 20. Next Oak Creek show is September 2.

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by to visit me at the 2023 National. I appreciate you and hope to see you again soon!

​                           And Now for a Special Treat!
                     The 2023 National Man Bun Gallery...

Saturday, July 29, 2023, Donald E. Stephens Center, Rosemont, IL

I dread Saturday at the National because it is Dealer Booth Lottery Day -- a huge drag. First off, I had to be there by 8 a.m., losing an hour of sleep. Secondly, I spent all morning waiting for my number to be called when I could have been at my booth selling cards.

I am not sure when this booth lottery business began. I did not pay attention to it prior to several years ago because it used to be real easy to get a booth at the National. Now, obtaining a booth is like pulling teeth.

This is how the booth lottery works: each dealer is assigned a number based on the number of times they have reserved a booth at the National. My friend Tom Daniels is a Priority 43 because he has reserved a booth at all 43 Nationals. Me, on the other hand, am just a Priority 3, even though I have set up at eight or so Nationals. The problem for me is that I set up at most Nationals under other guys' names like PJ and Dave. So I only get credit for the 3 I have done under my own name.

For those with a higher priority, the booth lottery began on Friday. For those of us with low priority, the madness was Saturday morning, see picture above. 

The lottery is held in a room off the main lobby. It was filled with dealers when I arrived. I tried to approach the actual room where the lottery was located in an effort to obtain a booth lottery form. Some knucklehead stopped me and asked me where I was going. I responded that I needed a lottery form. He handed me one but did not have a pen. WTF?

I took the form back out to the larger room where most of the dealers were waiting and found Gary George and Nelson Rodriguez. Nelson had a pen. Thanks Nelson! I think the lottery people were on Priority 6 while I was filling out the form. I knew I had a while to wait.

I chatted with Gary and Nelson for a while. Then I saw Jason Galleske and talked to him. Soon my legs began to tire and I sought out a place to sit. I sat up against a door to another room. Some guy barked at me telling me that the door opens. I was too tired to care. I figured if anyone tried to open the door they wouldn't get very far with my fat ass blocking it.

While I was sitting there, I chatted with a guy from Boston who had purchased cards from me several days earlier in the week. He said he was coming back today. Woot!

I could hear this really loud guy from Oklahoma telling a newbie about Cleveland and Chicago. I have to admit that I was impressed with his knowledge about Chicago and traveling around the city by "L" train.

The morning dragged on and I tried to calm my growing anger of being unable to open up my booth. I talked with others who were upset about sitting in this large room waiting to enter the dealer lottery instead of selling cards at our booths. None of us could understand why there is not an app for this thing. A complete waste of our time.

​I saw my pal Tony Schaefer and his lovely wife Kate. I learned that Tony is a priority zero even though he has set up at more Nationals than I have. Problem is, he has always allowed others to obtain the booth and never purchased one in his own name so he gets no credit for setting up all those years. 

He even set up with me a few years. I think he has mostly set up with Shoeless Joe from Downstate Illinois, who recently died. The folks that run the National will not allow Tony to take over Joe's priority. Thus, he is shut out of Cleveland. This system sucks!

New problem for Cleveland in 2024 is that the folks that run the National will not allow dealers to share booths anymore -- which is completely ridiculous. Sure, I share my booth to save on the booth fee but the main reason I share is that I cannot handle a National alone. I need someone to watch my table so I can take bathroom and food breaks. Plus with my health issues, I must have someone with me. Again, I can't do this alone. WTF?

Also, I have been thinking lately that if the National ever moves out West, I'll have to fly out to the show and could only take with me on the plane enough cards for a few display cases. I would definitely have to share the booth if the show is out west because I can't drive that far and bring my full inventory to fill up the booth. These knuckleheads need to rethink a lot of things about this show -- but I doubt they will.

Anyway, I made my first appearance into the dealer lounge where a pile of stale doughnuts awaited along with some coffee. I munched on a pasty chocolate doughnut and drank some much-needed coffee while waiting for my number to be called.

Tony Schafer introduced me to a couple other dealers. I have already forgotten their names. Nice guys. They were Priority 3 like me.

When the powers that be finally called the Priority 3 dealers, a huge line formed. I ended up mid-line, hoping there would still be booths available in Cleveland when I arrived to the front of the line.

My Chicago boothmates all wanted to set up in Cleveland. I was not sure how this ban on booth sharing would affect us but I planned on purchasing two booths, like I had this past week in Rosemont.

As I approached the front of the line, Jason G. motioned to me and said he saw on the paperwork sitting on the first table that I was a priority 4, not a 3. My paperwork, provided by the National, stated I was a three. Damn! I could have chosen my booth earlier!

This old bitty, who has given us problems in the past, took my form and said I could only choose one booth in Cleveland. I argued that I had two booths this week and wanted two booths in Cleveland. She would not hear of it and said I could only have one booth. Apparently, they put in another new rule that anyone under a Priority 5, could only have one booth in Cleveland.

When they realized I was a Priority 4 and not a 3, they allowed me to go to the front of the line and choose my one booth for Cleveland. The guy at the map pointed out the spot available closest to the front door and I took it. I paid the $1,295 for the booth then was directed to a table for my receipt which was manned by Gizmo and Minnesota's own Jerry Nelson. Gizmo handed me a ballot to vote for the location of the next three Nationals. He pointed out the Chicago, Chicago, Chicago option. I did not need any encouragement to choose Chicago, Chicago, Chicago. I enjoyed chatting with Rick and Jerry, great guys! 

I then made a beeline for my booth. I knew I was missing out on sales when dealing with this booth lottery madness. Thankfully, I filled in most of the holes in my display cases on Friday night because I knew I would be short on time on Saturday. All the guys were already at the booth and conducting business when I arrived. I whipped off the tarps and began sales. 

Oh my! The crowds poured in like never before! We were mobbed!! Sales were amazing!! I sold my 1954 Bowman Mickey Mantle to a nice father and son team from Houston. Thanks guys! I sold a ton of everything. It was as frenzy. My best day of the week.

For lunch, our pal Larry brought us Italian beef sandwiches from a deli in Villa Park, Illinois. Larry ordered cheese on mine, not knowing I was lactose intolerant. Doh! I started to fade, being in need of food. Stupid diabetes! Because of it, I don't have any stored energy and can only obtain energy by eating. I was too busy to go get any food. Once again, Dave came to my rescue and gave me half of his beef sandwich. I wolfed that thing down. Thanks Dave!

Speaking of Dave, he was busy most of the morning with Mack. We met Mack last year in Atlantic City. He spent a few hours at Dave's table today. Dave and Larry gave Mack the cheesey beef. Nice guy that Mack. He had a pile of cards to sell. Having never purchased cards from him, I was a little nervous. I looked through a pile of cards, pulled out a really nice 1960 Topps Bob Gibson and was offered a decent price, so I purchased it. In hindsight, I should have purchased more cards from Mack. Hope to have the opportunity to buy from him again next year in Cleveland. He is from Berwyn, Illinois, but currently lives in Texas. Thanks for the deal Mack!

I saw George, who I know from my hometown of Northbrook, Illinois. He was selling a box of wrappers from all sports from the 1970's. We were able to negotiate a price and I purchased the wrappers. Woot! Finally buying some stuff!

Then came along Bernard Woods, Jr., affectionately known as "Junior." I have known this guy a good 25 years, having met him while set up at the flea market at Allstate Arena in Rosemont. I remember the first time I met him and not liking him as he made lowball offers on my cards. Later, my tune changed as I got to know him really well at the Fred Copps shows and purchased tons of cards from him over the years. He always gave me nice deals. 

I even went to his house a few times and met his mother. Unfortunately, his mother recently passed away and Junior is moving back home to Maine, where he grew up. I am so sorry to see him go! I hope this is not the last time I see Junior! 

In addition to Junior, I saw a bunch more friendly faces on Saturday like Brian Christopherson, Eugene Miner, Matt Struve and big Ed. I know I saw others but my faulty memory is a bane of my existence!

I also saw a soccer mom hawking cards to the dealer set up next to me. Wow! Since I started collecting cards in 1975, I have seen this go from a kids' hobby to one filled with middle-aged men, now back to kids and now we've got soccer moms! Crazy!

After the show, Dave and Larry joined PJ and I for dinner in the square. I wanted to eat at a new place and saw an outdoor dining area labeled "American Bistro." We could not figure out how to enter this restaurant. We walked into the entrance to the neighboring Mexican restaurant. Then we walked into a candy store. Then we decided to cut through the outdoor dining area into the restaurant and sat down at an empty table.

​The waiter chastised us for sitting at the empty table, just like yesterday at the Park Tavern. Apparently, the entrance to the restuarnat is through the candy store. There is a hostess station in the candy store where we were supposed to check in. They allowed us to stay at the table but the hostess gave us a talk about tip being included in the bill.

The menu was large with a crazy amount of milkshakes and mixed alcohol drinks available. I found it funny that an "American Bistro" had Mexican and Chinese options. I went with the chicken fajitas.

We were annoyed with the loud dance music blaring in the restaurant. We also did not appreciate being charged 9 bucks for a bottle of beer. My food was good but the portion was too small. I was still hungry when we left. The other guys felt the restaurant was way overpriced. We will not return.

Like earlier in the week, the parking lot was empty and I had an easy exit and drive home. Day 4 of the National in the books.

A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by the booth on Saturday at the National! I had an amazing day!! A big NO THANK YOU to the National folks for denying me two booths for the Cleveland show next year. 

PJ ran over to the booth lottery to put his name on the waiting list. Hopefully, he and Scott can get a booth but if they do, we won't be next to each other, which is a bummer.

In the meantime, I just booked the Woodstock show for August 19. I will also be at Orland on August 20. No shows for me this coming weekend of August 12 and 13. Next Oak Creek show is September 2.

Final National blog coming soon.

​Below are some photos showing the area around my booth on Saturday.

Friday, July 28, 2023, Donald E. Stephens Center, Rosemont, IL

While the excitement builds in the weeks prior to the National, by Day 3, it is all routine. Wake up, drink coffee, get down to Rosemont.

After suffering through the hot-as-hell walkway the past two days, I decided to just walk the street into the convention center. It is a shorter walk and less stifling in the morning. I was the first to arrive at the booth. 

My morning booth routine begins with removal of the tarps covering my display cases. Then I unlock the cases and fill all the holes where I sold cards the previous day. I try to get this done before the masses enter the building.

Once again, I watched a monstrous crowd come down the nearby escalators for a couple of hours. Friday, like the past two days, was jam-packed with people. Sales continued fast and furious with Wednesday’s slow sales a distant memory.

My sales outpaced Thursday. My buys were non-existent. 

I felt much better Friday morning than I did on Thursday. I did not take any insulin this morning so I did not have to worry about going hypoglycemic. Dave brought me a sandwich.

Now I would like to talk about briefcases and backpacks. This stuff is out of control. I saw more insanely large backpacks than ever before. The problem with briefcases and backpacks in a massive crowd is that those carrying these weapons are completely devoid of any common sense and compassion. They will peg you with their briefcases and backpacks with blinding abandon. It was nearly impossible to walk the show without getting hit with either a briefcase, backpack or both.

Friday, I was at the edge of my booth helping a customer when a guy with both a briefcase and a backpack muscled through the crowd to get at my neighbor’s table. First he hit me in the knee with his briefcase. As I doubled over in pain, he turned around and nailed me in the chest with his backpack. It was a pop, pop, then dizzy dance where I almost hit the ground. The guy did not apologize. None of them ever apologize.

As a result, if it was up to me, both briefcases and backpacks would be banned at the National. Guys are totally irresponsible with these things and will hit you with impunity. This needs to end. No more backpacks and briefcases at the National!

I soldiered on with my numb knee and my bruised chest. It helped that sales were excellent. I hardly sold any T206s on Wednesday and Thursday, but Friday was a different story. I sold a bunch of them along with all sorts of other stuff. Seemed like a lot of folks were asking for 1972 Topps baseball and football high numbers but I did not bring any of the baseball along, big mistake.

I had a little incident while selling T206s. At one point, I had a crowd around my T206 display case. While I was pulling cards out of the case and handing them to customers, some knucklehead came behind my tables and stood next to me. I figured he wanted to get a look at the T206 display case that was covered with people on the other side, so I allowed him to stay behind the table. When he started telling all my customers that he had T206’s in his backpack that were for sale, I chased him out of the booth. I paid $1,300 for the right to sell cards at the booth. Go get your own booth! The guy is lucky he walked away with his teeth. I was ready to knock him out!

I do not mind folks walking up to my booth and offering to sell me cards, but when they start pulling customers away from my display cases in an attempt to sell their own cards, that is where I draw the line. Only I have the right to sell cards at my booth, no one else. Dave did not think it was a big deal but the guy was not pulling Dave’s customers away from his display cases, he was pulling my customers out of the booth and away from my display cases. I will fight to the death with anyone who attempts to pull customers out of my booth to sell them cards. Again, go get your own booth! This one is mine!!

Thankfully, the customers at my T206 display case ignored the guy and purchased cards from me. I can’t believe what a dooshbag that guy was. I was in a foul mood after that. Yet, continued good sales changed my mood. Though, I got tired in the afternoon, too tired to walk around. This may be the first National where I did not walk around and explore. I was pretty much tied to the booth the whole time.

Once again, I saw all sorts of friendly faces on Friday. Big Paul came by early on but I was much too busy to chat. Sorry Paul. Great to see you! Scott S. came by and purchased my 1950 Bowman Ted Williams. Thanks Scott! I saw Donny and Anthony. Love those guys!  Tom D. came by early with some modern Ernie Banks autograph cards to sell. I just don't do modern. I saw many, many others. Sorry, my memory is foggy. Thanks for stopping by!!!

After the show, PJ and I again ventured to the square behind the parking garage. This time we decided to hit the Park Tavern. The hostess told us the wait would be about 40 minutes. We saw an open table and sat down. After a while, a waitress kicked us out of the table and we moved to another empty table. 

The waitress eventually served us at the second table. She was sassy! I had an ice cold Lagunitas IPA which hit the spot. PJ had a Heineken. To eat, I had a cup of chili and some hot wings. PJ went with the roasted chicken again. My food was awesome. 

Like Thursday, the parking lot was empty after dinner and I had an easy exit and drive home. Day three in the books.

Before I get to my Day 4 blog, I want to let you know that I am taking the next weekend off — August 12 & 13. I’ll be at the Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo, Michigan, on Saturday, celebrating my main man Mr. Cigar’s 50th Birthday. Happy Birthday Mr. Cigar!

I’ll next be set up on August 20 in Orland Park. I am probably bringing display cases to that one, as I am way behind on reloading the binders as usual. I am slowly but surely working on reloading my 1970 Topps baseball binder. I hope to have it done by the September 2 Oak Creek show. If anyone wants to see any binders in Orland, let me know beforehand.

A huge thank you to everyone that came by my booth Friday at the National. There sure was a lot of you and I appreciate it!

I was pretty excited Friday when Robert Plant, pictured below right, arrived at the booth. Who woulda thunk that he was working on the 1960 Fleer baseball set.

Thursday, July 27, 2023, Donald A. Stephens Center, Rosemont, IL

I had wanted to wake up at 6 a.m. on Thursday but I had a real tough time falling asleep, so I slept until 7 a.m. which did not leave enough time to shower and go out for a good breakfast. Scott and Jim were anxious to get to the show. They like to walk the floor and dig through cheapy boxes before the show officially opens to customers.

So we hit a nearby McDonald's. I injected some insulin and dined on an Egg McMuffin and hashbrowns. Whenever I inject insulin, I have to calculate my carb intake to make sure I ingest enough carbs so the insulin does not overwhelm my body and cause hypoglycemia, which is a risk every time I inject insulin.

I thought the carbs in the muffins and the hashbrowns would be sufficient. I thought wrong. The long walk from the parking lot to the convention center in extreme heat caused a major sugar drop. 

Have you guys read the Harry Potter books or seen the movies? Well the best way to describe what it is like to go hypoglycemic is an analogy to the Harry Potter Dementors -- those ghost-like figures that guard Azerbaijan Prison and suck the life out of all who dare to come near them.

Whenever I go hypo, it feels like there is a dementor hovering over me and sucking the life out of me. It is absolutely horrible.

An hour into the show when HUGE crowds flowed into the room and I was at my busiest, the dementors got me. I started to fade. Eyesight went hazy. Strength gone. Ability to function limited.

I tried to help the hoards at my tables the best I could. I was selling cards left and right, unlike Wednesday when the hoards just wanted to lowball, this morning they were spending cash! While I was helping customers, I was trying to figure out how I could get some sugar. Oh, I forgot to mention that death is nearby whenever hypoglycemia hits. It is a serious situation and I lose my ability to think straight. 

There were some kids last year in Atlantic City that walked the show with a wagon full of candy and water for sale. I saw them Wednesday here in Rosemont and hoped they would arrive now! I needed candy. I needed sugar... the kids never walked by.

Well, I should never really bitch about Dave, as I did in yesterday's blog, because he has seen me go hypo before and has helped me out in the past. He really is an excellent guy who always makes me a sandwich. When I had a break from customers, I struggled to ask Dave for a sandwich. He knew right away what was going on and tossed me a sandwich. Dave saved my ass! That sandwich stopped the dementors and I started to recover. Whew! Serious situation averted!!

I was able to wolf down that sandwich, regain my eyesight and some strength and get back to helping customers. I was still weakened and when another break in the crowd occurred, I went off to the taco stand and got some tacos. Tortillas have a ton of carbs.

That hypoglycemic episode kicked my ass and I had to really labor through the show. I haven't a clue as to what I sold but I know that I sold a TON. I was back on track, as I knew I would. The National has never let me down.

Like Wednesday, I know I ran into a whole bunch of people I know. Sorry, if I was a little spacey but I was really struggling on Thursday. I think Thursday was the day I sold cards to pals Bill Nest and Steve Wilson. Thanks guys! It was great to see my main man Scotty P., along with Rich K., Tim W., Shong, Beau, who promotes the Madison show. Beau was walking around with his million card Cubs sign. I love that guy. What a character and he is always smiling. I know I saw a bunch more people, but hypoglycemia also effects my memory. I really don't know what happened Thursday. I am just thankful I am still here and breathing. It is so great to be me!

I was crazy tired when the show ended at 6 p.m. Dave went home early to beat the crowds to the parking garage. Scott and Jim went back home to Wisconsin. PJ was staying at a hotel nearby and wanted to grab a bite to eat. As lousy as I was feeling, I needed some food and more carbs.

That PJ is a clever fellow. While I followed the masses each day into the forbidden depths of the parking garage across from the convention center, PJ figured out a way to obtain rock star parking for every day of the show. He pointed out that if your vehicle is of a certain height, you can park in a designated area on the ground floor of the parking garage, right in the front of the lot! So PJ placed this huge luggage container on the top of his SUV and increased the height of his vehicle to the point where the Rosemont Parking Garage folks laid out the red carpet and invited him to park in the froooont roowww. Ingenius!

PJ suggested we dine in the little square behind the parking garage that has eight to 10 restaurants. I loved the idea. Prior to the show, Dennis had told me that he eats in the square most nights after the show to allow the masses to vacate the parking garage before he gets to his vehicle. I was all too happy to allow the masses to vacate the garage and to have an easy exit after dinner.

PJ had eaten at the Park Tavern on Wednesday night and suggested we go there. Upon entry we learned there was a wait for up to 45 minutes. The square was crowded because a stage was set up in the middle for bands to play and food and drink booths lined the square as well.

However, it was way too hot to eat at one of the food booths. I needed air conditioning in the worst way.

I remember at one of the Nationals prior to the pandemic, I went with Craig and Jack over to an Irish pub in the square that was very good. I observed that the building that had housed the Irish pub, was now a seafood restaurant. I suggested we try that place.

Man, I really enjoyed the walk across the square to the seafood place because of the large number of pretty ladies milling about. After spending all day with heavy, sweaty middle-aged men, it sure was nice to see all the pretty ladies.

Speaking of pretty ladies, our waitress at the seafood restaurant was drop-dead gorgeous. PJ and I had a nice meal. I went with the salmon that was drenched in this tasty cream sauce. PJ went with a roasted chicken. We also drank a few beers.

Conversation was excellent. PJ has a certain knowledge about oddball, rare card issues from the 1950's through the 2000's that is unmatched. I learn something at every National from PJ, who was in a great mood because his sales that past two days had been tremendous.

It is common knowledge that cards from the 1980's were overproduced and worthless. But PJ has found all sorts of rare issues and specializes in them. Buyers at the National are all about the rare issues, no matter what decade. PJ was well stocked with this stuff and selling a ton of it. Kudos to PJ!

The best part of having the National in Rosemont is that I live just a half hour drive away. After dinner with PJ, I was the only one in the convention center parking lot and it was so easy to exit and get home.

Not long after leaving the seafood restaurant, I was home, in my bed and snoring. Day two of the National, a distant memory.

Hey! Let's talk hypoglycemia, the National, rare card issues or anything at all on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at the Salvation Army Community Center, 8853 S. Howell, in Oak Creek, WI. I already decided that I am not taking any insulin Saturday until I get home after the show! See you in Oak Creek!

​More National blogs on the way!! But first I will share a couple of photos from Thusrday below.

This was pretty much the scene, pictured above, in front of my display cases all day on Thursday. I was very busy.

Pictured above is PJ in his signature tank top helping customers to his rare issues.

Sorry I did not take more photos. I normally like to walk around the National and take a bunch of photos but I was having all sorts of physical issues and could not move around much Wednesday and Thursday.

Wednesday, July 26, 2023, Donald A Stephens Center, Rosemont, IL

The National is unlike any other show in the country. The best card dealers are there. All the auction houses are there. Dozens of card-related companies are there. Those that attend are there to spend money. My sales are ALWAYS good, no matter what is going on in the hobby or the economy or the world. I freakin’ love the National!!

For me, preparation for the National begins the day after the previous National ends. I buy, price and hoard cards all year long, specifically for the National. For my set up back in the day, I would bring out both binders and display cases but after one of my binders was stolen at the 2010 National, I now just bring out display cases. 

The last two Nationals were my best ever. I did not know what to expect for the 2023 National. The monthly shows I have attended in 2023 have not been nearly as strong as those from 2022. I had some concerns going into this year’s National. I was also worried about our booth's location in a room new to the 2023 National. With the new room, this appeared to be the largest National ever.

I had built up some nice inventory prior to this year's National. I had more graded T206’s than I ever had before. I also recently picked up a near set of 1950 Bowman baseball and 1955 Topps baseball. I had been working on beefing up my basketball and hockey stars as well. I felt like I had an impressive inventory for this year’s National. 

With my health ailing, I took the weekend prior to the National off from setting up at shows. I felt I needed to rest up for the grueling week ahead. I worked my day job Monday and Tuesday then woke up Wednesday morning, took my meds, then had to sit on the pot for a while. Sometimes my meds don’t allow me to leave the house.

​So I got a late start. It was hotter than Hermes that morning as I loaded up my car. I made it to Rosemont around 10:15 a.m. I was supposed to meet Dave at 9:45 a.m. I would have called Dave to let him know I was running late but he is the last human on the planet without a cell phone.

First order of business was obtaining my dealer badge — which is always a problem. Last year in Atlantic City, I had received a packet from the promoters stating that badges would be available in the lobby. I advised Dave to park at the loading dock and I would go to the lobby and get the badges. Dave declined my advice and parked below the venue in the parking garage and we seemingly walked all day to find the lobby and the booth where the badges were supposed to be located. At the booth we were informed that the badges were at the loading dock. So we walked another few miles back to Dave’s car and drove to the loading dock where we found a line of cars waiting to get into a tiny space to unload. I advised Dave to double park and I would jump out and get the badges. Once Dave double parked, a security guard began screaming at us to move the car back to the end of the line of cars.

We did what we were told then had to wait our turn to get into the tiny loading dock to obtain our badges and load in. Who designs a freakin’ convention center with just one tiny loading dock? Dave and I wasted most of that first day of the show in Atlantic City trying to obtain our dealer badges and loading in.

Thankfully, the Stephens Center has a good dozen loading docks. Say what you will about that place but it is the easiest of all the large venues for load in and load out. So, I parked by a loading dock on the north side of the building like I have done for years at the National in Rosemont. Same problem each year, though. The security guard sitting at the loading dock will not let me enter without my dealer badge. So I had to walk all the way around to the front in searing heat to obtain my dealer badge. That was tough because I wasn’t feeling well due to my meds, diabetes and the heavy heat. It has been a mild summer in the Chicago area up until the National. Figures.

After obtaining the badges, I walked the huge lobby looking for Dave. No Dave. So I went back to the north loading dock for the first of two loads.

With that first load, I walked a good 15 or 20 minutes before I found the booth in the new section over by the TriStar Autograph Pavilion. The booth was quite a hike from the north loading dock. I would have to figure out a better way to load out when the show ended.

Anyway, Dave and Jim Colias were waiting for me at the booth. Dave was pissed that I was so late. I was pissed because I felt like shit, didn’t like the hassle of obtaining the badges, was sweating buckets from pushing my cart all over the building in search of the booth, had wanted to call Dave but he does not have a cell phone, then spent valuable energy looking for him all over the lobby.

Dave and I almost came to blows. I was ready to knock him out. We had issues the whole time in Atlantic City last year and I was not going to put up with his shit this year at all. Jim looked at me while I was shouting at Dave and took off. I was angry. Though, we both eventually calmed down and got along fine for the rest of the week.

I had two booths this year and split them with Dave, Scott Z. and PJ. Over the years, Dave, PJ and I have rotated being the one in charge of obtaining the booth. I was in charge this year. Being in charge is a real hassle because I had just gotten into it with Dave over his badge then needed to meet Scott and PJ separately to give them their dealer badges. I just finished my second and final load in when PJ texted. 

I observed that our booth was located near the front of the building by the circle drive. I advised PJ to double park and load in from the circle drive. We met in the circle drive where he was smoking a cigarette and I gave him his badge. As I was about to head out to move my car, Scott called. I advised that he, too, double park in the circle drive and load in from there. I met Scott and his dad Jim out there and gave them their badges then went to move my car.

The walk from the parking lot to the convention center seems like miles. I had a really tough time with it, largely due to the heat. When I made it back to the booth, I was hurting and had to sit for a spell before I was able to start setting up. The first day of the National is always a ball buster and this year seemed especially difficult. Making things worse was the lack of air conditioning in the building. WTF?

I was sweating bad and struggled to set up. In the middle of set up, I had to stop and go out to meet Mike S., who, prior to the show, had asked that I obtain a dealer badge for him. I went out to the lobby and met Mike, who was very appreciative. I was hurting. I was ready to pass out by the time I finished setting up. No rest for the weary because there were already folks looking at my stuff, even though VIP early entrance was scheduled for much later that afternoon. I started to sell cards and did not stop selling cards until 5 p.m. on Sunday. The National is a grueling marathon. Mike brought me a bottle of water which about saved me from passing out.

I waited for a lull at the booth then went out in search of caffein. I found a taco stand nearby and purchased three tacos and a Diet Pepsi. Oh, that was what the doctor ordered. I felt much better with some food in my belly and Pepsi flowing in. Customers continued to visit the booth. To a man, they all sat there on their phones looking up comps. I made a few sales.

The air conditioning kicked in when the VIPers were let into the building. Apparently, the VIP crowd was herded upstairs above our booth then let in down some escalators along the wall, near the booth. Within minutes, it was a mob scene. Earlier, I had worried that the location of the booth would hurt sales but was pleasantly surprised to see mass crowds come down those escalators all week long. We were buried in a sea of people just about every day.

When the hoards arrived, out came the phones then out came the whiney complaints claiming my pricing was above comps. Let’s talk about comps. For the uninitiated, “comps” means the latest online sale. This whole “comp” thing is a recent addition to the hobby. I am not sure when this started but it was created by the modern guys at least four or five years ago and has now sunk into the vintage market.  

The problem, as I see it, is that there are so many variables involved in pricing and selling a vintage card that no matter what the “comp” appears to be, it is never quite accurate. For one, there is always a huge range in recent sold prices. Then when looking for a “comp” of a raw vintage card, those whiners never consider the difference in condition to their “comp.” If a “comp” is lower than my pricing, it is usually because the card is in much lower grade. The whiners never show you the higher “comp,” it is always the lowest. Do they honestly think I do not look at the “comps” as well. I am fully aware of the range in pricing for every card, so their whiney “comp” arguments never hold water with me because I have seen the comps that are higher than my pricing. I always price my cards in the middle, not too low and not too high. I know my pricing is reasonable. 

Seems like I spent the whole day on Wednesday declining low-ball offers on my cards based on supposed comps. I would rather keep the cards than give them away to these knuckleheads. They don’t get any points for shoving their phones in my face and showing me the lowest sale they could find in an attempt to sway me to give my stuff away for peanuts. Not going to happen. 

Then there were a lot of folks offering cards to sell. To a man, they were priced way over comps or what I could possibly resell the cards for. I declined every card offered. One guy pulled out a stack of 1950’s and 1960’s star cards. There were some big names in there like Mantle, Mays, Jackie Robinson, Ted Williams and the like. However, all of the cards were either miscut or terribly off-center. I analyzed the guy’s 1967 Topps Mickey Mantle that was terribly miscut. Seemed to me that the card was trimmed. When I mentioned it, the guy became really defensive and started throwing a whole bunch of BS at me. I have seen it all before. I thanked the guy for showing me his cards and suggested he shop them around. He seemed offended that I would not purchase his trimmed cards. Sorry buddy.

After the VIPers were let in, around 3 p.m., the rest of the day flew by. That 8 p.m. closing time hit me over the head like a hammer. I was not ready for it. I was busy with the comp folks. Busy chatting with all the friendly faces that appeared at my booth. I saw tons of folks I knew from all over the country — which is the best part of the National. I love it when someone randomly approaches my booth and mentions that they are a fan of this blog. Thanks guys!

The coolest experience of the day was meeting Dylan Kosh, who told me his father is Adam Kosh, one of my best friend’s from childhood. Adam grew up in the house almost just behind mine in beautiful Northbrook, Illinois. I met him when I was four years old at the Wildwood Nursery School. By age six, Adam and a kid named John Rice, and I played whiffle ball every day on John’s front lawn. We also spent a lot of time playing basketball on Adam’s driveway. As we aged, we would shag fly balls in the street in front of my house. When we reached the age of 8, all three of us collected baseball cards and would walk down to the neighborhood pharmacy together to purchase cards, then walk back to either one of our houses, open the packs and trade. By age 10, we played on the same little league team. At age 12, we attended card shows together. Those were glorious days. Some of the best I ever had. I really miss the 1970's. 

I still live near Adam and see him occasionally. John lives out in Vegas and I have not seen him in years. I had never met Dylan before today and was so pleased to meet him. Adam also has two daughters, one of whom is married. Dylan was accompanied by his brother in-law. Nice kid too. 

I was in a much better mood at the end of the day Wednesday than I was to start the day. But, man, was I tired! Did I say that the first day of the National is a killer!

Let’s see if I can remember all the great folks I saw on Wednesday. I saw Jeff T., who said he was set up with Dell. There was Andy from Orlando. I saw Mike Johnson while I was loading in. He looked like he was struggling with the heat as well. I saw quite a few folks I know from the Orland show like Derek and some others. I met Record Store Steve’s son. I had seen him at the Orland show but never actually met him.

I saw this one guy I met years ago at the Fred Copp shows. He was regular with his wife. Of course, I can’t remember his name. I saw Mike from Cleveland. Quite a few guys recognized me from the Strongsville show. I saw my pals John and Mike, who promote the Rockford and Janesville shows. 

I observed that all the OBC guys seemed to have updated their gear. Some of those older hats and shirts were starting to get ratty. The new hats look nice. I saw a large number of Wisconsin people like Al, Jack, Jim, big Nelson and many, many others. Lowball Lonnie from Indiana was there and actually purchased a card. Of course, he tried to lowball me on it but I would not budge and he eventually paid my price.

There was a huge contingency of folks from the St. Louis area. Seemed like everyone was looking for Red Schoendienst and Enos Slaughter cards. Quite a few folks asked if I had any Kellogg’s cards. Seemed like the number one request was for National Chicle football cards from the 1930’s. Of course there was the obligatory requests for Cobb and Ruth. There was also a large contingency of Cleveland collectors looking for Jim Brown.

I met folks from all over the country from places like L.A., Houston, Colorado Springs, Arkansas, Oklahoma, many people from Minnesota (I sold all my Harmon Killebrews), Iowa, Louisiana, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Nashville, Michigan, Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh (I sold all of my Roberto Clementes), Florida, and Georgia. The National is truly a “National” event.

After the show on Wednesday, Jim Z. offered to buy me dinner. I chose my go-to late-night place, the Omega Diner in nearby Niles. We had a nice meal at the Omega. I went with a patty melt. Scott had chicken parmesan. Jim had fish and chips. The Omega is always solid.

After dinner, we went back to my place. The wife had put some bedding and pillows on some couches for Scott and Jim, who were spending the night. They wanted to go down into the card bunker but I was too embarrassed to take them down there. It is just a mess. I need to stop buying cards. You can’t even walk around the bunker these days.

I popped my bedtime meds and hit the sack around 11 p.m. I had a hard time falling asleep. I was too wired from the first day of the show. It was a rough night.

Anyway, the first day of the National was a wrap. Sales were slow, despite a really large crowd. Dave seemed to do okay. It looked like Scott was busy. PJ said he had his best day at the National ever. I am not sure why my sales were so lousy. I'm not sure what I could do differently to spur sales. Dave said the first day of the National is always his best. Scott said the first and last days are always his worst. I do not have a pattern. It is different each year. I was really surprised that my sales were poor but not discouraged.

I owe you a bunch more blogs on the National. Before I provide more blogs, I just want to remind you that the Oak Creek show is coming up this Saturday, August 5, 2023, at the Salvation Army Community Center, 8853 S. Howell, Oak Creek, WI. I have sold out all 180 tables and am adding new dealers to my waiting list. This should be a great show! Shawn is back with his unopened wax from the 1970’s. Big Tommy Larson is setting up with all his Ruths, Gehrigs, Cobbs and Mantles. Come on out!!

Pictured below are some scenes around the booth before the mass hoards were allowed into the building. It was the quiet before the storm.

Pictured above is Scott's portion of the booth in the foreground and PJ's portion of the booth in the background. Across from PJ was an artist selling his work. He had a very pretty lady working the booth all week, which we much appreciated.

Pictured above is Fiterman Sports Group which was on the other side of my portion of the booth. I spent much of the week mulling over how to pronounce "Fiterman." Was it Fight Er Man or Fitt Er Man? Does anyone know?

Pictured above are four of my display cases. I was able to place out a total of 10 display cases after only having room for seven in Atlantic City last year. It helped that none of our neighbors pinched our space this year. Also, PJ gave me some solid advice on how to set up my portion of the booth for maximum use of the space.