Saturday, September 25, 2021, Lake Station VFW, Lake Station, IN

It has been a few years since I last set up at a show in Indiana. I had visited this show once before and I liked what I saw. It is a huge room, lots of dealers, bar with food and drinks.

The promoter Bob does a really great job getting the word out about the show. I saw it listed all over Facebook. I also saw a listing for another show at the same venue and was a little confused. I think others may have been confused as well because attendance was very light. The other show was held just the week before.

Apparently, Bob originally had a partner with this show and the two had a falling out so they split in two and there are now two shows, by different promoters, at the same venue every month. 

I was able to eek out some sales to long-time customers/friends Mike, Howard and the Mantle guy. Not a whole lot of vintage in the room other than my set up. Thus, not a whole lot of vintage buyers -- which benefited me greatly as I purchased a 1966 Topps complete baseball set. So it was a worthwhile venture for me.

There was a large number of dealers at this show and all seemed very friendly. I saw a lot of wax, dime boxes, modern star cards and the like. Some jerseys and other memorabilia as well.

I was able purchase a steady stream of diet Cokes from the bar along with a hot dog. Having food and drink at the show is key for me.

I knew some of the dealers like Eric, Cigar and Karl. I also saw a bunch of people that I knew.

I enjoyed talking to the promoter Bob who grew up at a card shop then worked at one, after his dad sold his shop. Bob currently sells cards full time. I really like this venue, though it is tough drive for me coming down from Northern Illinois through a ton of road construction.

I booked the next show on October 30 and am hoping for better attendance. Seems like Bob's former partner runs his show on the same weekend as Orland, so Bob's show is the better option for me.

I had a really enjoyable day, other than the horrible traffic driving home. Next up is my show at the Salvation Army, 8853 S. Howell, in Oak Creek, WI, on Saturday, October 2, 2021. Former Brewers Pitcher Don August is signing autographs from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Autographs cost $15. I will have some of Don's cards to purchase for $1 each while supplies last.

Hope to see everybody next weekend in Oak Creek!

Sunday, September 19, 2021, Civic Center, Orland Park, IL

What a difference a day makes! The Orland show was jam packed even with the Bears playing at noon! I was busy all day!

Once again I brought out all of the binders and one display case that I filled with football cards from the 1960's. 

Mike found a bunch of cards for his sets. Mike is one of my regulars and is working on many sets at once, like many guys who attend this show. My guy who normally buys 1951 Bowman baseball, started on 1969 baseball this day. 

Another customer came back around the tables, sat down and spent an hour or so pulling cards from various binders. I forgot to ask him his name but I really appreciate the purchases! Speaking of purchases, Gil purchased quite a few 1953 Topps baseball. Thanks Gil!

Rick picked up some cards including my 1967 Philadelphia Dick Butkus. My Bears cards had a lot of looks. I sold a handful but thought I would sell more. There is one guy that regularly comes to the show and always asks me for Mike Ditka cards. I observed he was at the show an hour early, long before most dealers were set up. He did not even look at my table. I think I had five or six Ditkas in the display case.

My one regular Milwaukee Braves fan found some cards including some Exhibits. I had a new customer pull a huge stack of 1979 Topps baseball. I love when I sell '79's because I must have 20,000 of them and need to get rid of them!! I have a regular customer that always purchases some hockey, he found some '72-73 Topps hockey on this day to purchase.

A new customer purchased my 1969-70 and 1970-71 Topps basketball binders. I have a huge inventory of those and will be bringing out new binders shortly. Before the show, I finished up a new 1972 Topps baseball binder that goes from card numbers 1 through 301. I probably have 7,000 or 8,000 1972 Topps and found that I now need two binders for that year. I should have the second binder complete soon. Oddly enough, I did not sell anything out of the new '72 binder after selling my entire old binder last month at Orland.

It was great to see my old pal Tony Schaefer at the show. Tony came up to shop and purchased a few cards. Thanks Tony!

As always my best bud Will purchased a ton of cards. Will is starting the 1971 Topps set and is working on 1958 as well. Thanks Will!

I know a bunch of other guys purchased cards. It was a bit of a frenzy at my tables early on and I can't remember everything I sold or who was there. I've completely turned into my dad, sorry folks. Damn faulty dad memory.

On the buying front, I purchased some interesting old postcards from Jim. There are a few of Wrigley Field from the 1930's then one of the Old West Side Grounds from the teens. These things are cool, I might keep them and start a postcard collection.

This may have been the first show where I did not buy anything from Junior. He just did not have his usual groups of Mantles today. I am pretty well stocked up on Tom Seaver cards and had to pass on those.

A pair of young guys brought over a box of vintage commons but the cards were just trashed and not worth the money they were asking. I purchased a few cards from Walt. Then I bought a couple boxes from Dell that I actually passed on a couple of weeks ago because funds were low. 

A shout out to my favorite autograph hound Willie, who was at the show. I haven't seen Willie in a while. He always patiently responds to my texts when I ask about the authenticity of an autograph. Willie, come up to Palatine so I can buy you lunch!

Also, a shout out to Mike S., who brought out his recently purchased 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth. Drool! I love the '33 Goudey Ruths. I've never owned one and probably never will as the prices are sky rocketing. Maybe once my kids finish college, I can consider buying a Goudey Ruth.

Overall, a pretty great day. I was very happy to see some concessions again after not having any since resuming the show after the pandemic shut down. Promoter Rich is just awesome. He does such a great job with this show.

I know Big Tim is a regular reader of this blog. Where have you been buddy? I haven't seen you in a while. Also, Steve was asking about you. Hope all is well!

Up next for me is the Lake Station, Indiana, show at the VFW. I visited that show once to meet Walt there to purchase cards. I liked what I saw and booked it for this Saturday, September 25. I'm leaning towards bringing just binders. I don't remember seeing any dealers with any kind of voluminous vintage card set up. If anyone is planning on attending this show on Saturday, let me know if you want me to bring anything special out. Hope to see everybody at the Lake Station show this Saturday!

​Now for some photos...

Pictured here is Jeff, me and Dell. Jeff and Dell are two of my favorite dealers. I've known these guys long before any of us had gray hair. Actually, I had a full head of hair when I first met these guys!

The dealer set up on my right said he drove up from about 60-miles south of Kankakee. He wanted to show off some cool cards like this Trae Young rookie.

The Trevor Lawrence rookie is cool as well.

Random crowd shot.

Collecting cards is cool!

Another random crowd shot. A really great day in Orland!

Saturday, September 18, 2021, St. John's Lutheran Church, Woodstock, IL

A big thank you to the handful of guys that came out to see me in Woodstock. Attendance was down this month. Maybe the show suffered from the beautiful weather -- a picture perfect day.

Also, so much going on this day as well. College football. Summerfest in Milwaukee. Riot Fest in Chicago. The Dead and Co. at Wrigley Field. Fall festivals all over the place. 

Oh well. Not much to report about the show today. I brought out all of my binders which was fun. I had some nice sales early on then just a few as the day progressed. Nothing to buy.

I met dealer Tom's wife today. A very sweet lady and a pleasure to meet.

Next Woodstock show is October 16. I don't have a regular spot at this show but I seem to be able to secure a table each month. So I'll probably be at the October 16th show. I sure would like to see more people attend the October 16th show! I'm planning to bring out display cases for that one and I should have some great vintage cards for sale, including some 1952 Topps high numbers that I have been sitting on.

​I like this show. It is small and comfy. It is a nice break from the chaos at my show and others. Please come out to the October 16th show! It is Woodstock, after all, maybe Jimi Hendrix and Janice Joplin will be there!!

Pictured above are the dealers that were set up across from me at the September show. I forgot the one guy's name with the red hat. A really nice guy and I enjoyed talking to him. 

Sunday, September 12, 2021, Buenavista Banquets, Milwaukee, WI

I probably mentioned in a previous blog that prior to attending law school, I published a free newspaper in Chicago called the Barfly, a guide to Chicago's drinking Establishments. I printed 24,000 newspapers every two weeks and left them for folks to pick up at more than 700 places in Chicago.

Essentially, my job was to visit Chicago taverns and I usually hit six or seven every single day, seven days a week. I went at all hours, sometimes at 7 a.m., sometimes at 4 a.m., sometimes at 2 p.m. and sometimes at 10 p.m. I could write a book on just what I observed at all these taverns during my eight years of publishing Barfly Newspaper -- oh, actually I did! Let me know if you want a copy!!

It was not unusual that at some of the old-time neighborhood bars I would see a large number of patrons drinking at 7 a.m. So I was not shocked when I walked into the Buenavista Banquets at 7:50 a.m. on Sunday and observed a table of fellas drinking Coronas. It looked like they drank quite a few Coronas. I could tell they were snockered. Flash back city for me and I laughed a little when I saw them.

Though, the more I thought about it, the inebriated guys probably did not look good to all the families that planned to attend the card show. So I just hoped that these guys remained subdued. I could tell they were hammered. It looked like some of them were so drunk that they were frozen in place. Then when I heard one of them puking in the bathroom, my suspicions were confirmed.

I was amazed that they lasted until 9 or 10 a.m. I was also very concerned that they all might have entered separate vehicles and drove home. I'm hopeful none of them got behind the wheel. While I love to drink and I love seeing others enjoying themselves with drink, I hate when people drink and drive because then they place their lives and the lives of others in jeopardy. 

I won't drink and drive. I do not have a death wish and no desire to injure others. It is just easier than ever these days to get a ride home, not only can you call a cab from your cell phone but you can use your Uber or Lyft app on your phone to get a ride. Just Uber on back when you sober up to get your vehicle. No big deal, unlike the days when I first started drinking when you had to call a cab from a payphone in the bar.

So that was interesting and I could see it was stressing out Keith, who runs the show. Thankfully, other than the retching sounds emanating from the bathroom stall, the drunk guys were not a problem.

Prior to the show, I had a bit of a problem deciding what to bring out. Initially, I thought about bringing 12 display cases in an effort to mix things up as I have largely had a binder set up at this show lately. A quick change of plans when Keith notified me of shortened hours because of an event scheduled after our show. The binders are much easier to pack up than display cases. So in the interest of a quick exit after the show, I brought out mostly binders and just several display cases.

As the show progressed, I realized the 12-display case set up would have been impossible to achieve because of the tight space behind my tables. At one point, I was hemmed in. I was sitting near the west side of my tables and the path to the east side was blocked by the dealer to my back right. At the same time the path to the western end of my tables was blocked by the dealer to my back left. I thought maybe I could just walk out to the back aisle then around to the front of my tables but that space was blocked by a guy who stood there just about all day talking to the dealer to my back right.

Turned out the binder set up worked out best. Customers could pull out cards from the binders and bring them to me, instead of me going to them as I normally do. So I think I will keep this set up for future shows at Buenavista Banquets because it works out best with all the obstacles.

I have learned over the years that as a dealer, you just have to make do with the configuration of the room. I know some dealers and customers are not happy with the tight space. I think, rather than complain, the best thing to do is adjust and make do with the space you have.

In a perfect world there would be a ton of space but that is just not the reality of this or many shows. I also know first hand the difficulty in finding an affordable and large venue to host a card show in Milwaukee. I like this show. I like Keith. I like all the volunteers. I like all the dealers and all the customers. I also like the tacos. I'm happy to make do with the tight space. It is really just a minor inconvenience.

We had excellent attendance on this warm and sunny day. The flow of customers was steady all day. A few customers purchased some hockey. Dean purchased a bunch of 1963 Topps baseball. One customer purchased a pile of 1976 Topps baseball. A new customer purchased a pile of 1980 Topps baseball. I need to keep a bell at my table for a prop and ring it when someone purchases anything from the 1980's. I see those purchases as a huge bonus.

The dealer to my back left had a whole table of 1980's cards. I felt so bad for him, I almost felt like giving him 20 bucks or something because I think his only sale of the day was a pile of 1986 Topps for about 35 cents. Kind of reminded me of a guy that used to set up at the Orland show. He only had junk on his tables except for times when others dealers would just give him stuff to sell because they felt bad for him. I really felt bad for this guy. Not only did he have horrible inventory, something was bugging him and he seemed really depressed. Card shows are generally fun, I hate to see someone depressed at a card show. I bet if he had a few Coronas with the guys by the front door, he would have felt much better.

Anyway, I had steady sales at my tables most of the day. Dennis purchased some 1960 Leaf and left his list at my table. Boy was he relieved when I found him later and gave him back his want list. I sold a handful of football cards and a few basketball cards. Rich found some cards for sets he is building. My sales were mostly baseball. 

I had three display cases with baseball cards from 1953 through 1960. I sold a handful of items out of the display cases like a 1954 Topps Whitey Ford and a 1957 Topps Minnie Minoso. Overall, sales were down from last month but that is on me with such a nice crowd. I am currently way behind in updating my binders. I am just too tired after work most nights to work on it. Plus, I have been working on reloading 1972 Topps baseball for the longest time. That is such a large set and I have so many cards to go through and price that it just seems to be going at a snail's pace right now. In a perfect world, I will have it done by the Orland show this Sunday but I doubt it.

On the buying front, I picked up a few things including a 1951 Harlem Globetrotters program that I thought was pretty cool.

It was a quick day with the show ending at 1 p.m. I was on the road home by 1:45 p.m. I stopped for gas up the street from the show and paid only $2.99 a gallon for regular. Gas by my house is at $3.42 a gallon so that was a nice savings.

Got home to watch some football. I was amazed at how bad the Packers played against the Saints. I have never thought much of Jameis Winston but the Packers defense made him look like Joe Montana. Also, what was the deal with Aaron Rodgers? I have never seen him play so poorly.

I was switching back between the Packers/Saints and the Browns/Chiefs. I was rooting for the Browns. I love Baker Mayfield and the Browns have been so bad for so long it is easy to root for them. I thought they had the game in hand but their defense failed them in the fourth quarter.

Initially, I was not going to watch the Bears/Rams. Being a Bears fan I am highly disappointed with the franchise. I felt they made a huge mistake in signing Andy Dalton in the off-season. It did not look like they improved their offensive line or receiving corps. They also have a lousy defensive secondary and no depth on the defensive line and linebacking corps.

I could not help myself and watched the game. I was pleasantly surprised at the game the offense played. Dalton did not look that bad. The O-line played a good game. The Bears running game was excellent.

The defense, on the other hand, was horrible, just horrible. The secondary did not even try to cover the Rams receivers making Stafford look like Joe Namath. Ugly! Looks like it is going to be a long season here in the Midwest where all the NFL teams looked horrible this past Sunday. At least I have the White Sox and the Brewers to follow until the NBA season starts up again.

So next week I am setting up at two shows. I'll be at the Woodstock show on Saturday and the Orland Park show on Sunday. I'm taking out all of the binders for both shows. I'll probably bring out a display case or two. Have a great week everybody. Hope to see you next weekend!

Pictured up top is my neighbor at the Buenavista Show, Tom John. He is an excellent dealer who always has some great vintage cards. This past Sunday I was drooling at the 1952 Bowman football cards on his table. Tom is setting up at my Oak Creek show on October 2. Mark your calendars!!

Saturday, September 4, 2021, Salvation Army Community Center, Oak Creek, WI

What would have been a perfect Labor Day Saturday card show went sour after a series of thefts. At least five dealers were hit. The biggie was a 2017 Bowman Ronald Acuna Rookie, pictured below.

Also stolen were a 2013-14 Titanium Giannas Rookie Patch numbered out of 85, a Cal Ripken Jr. autograph card, a $60 unopened pack of cards, and a pile of low value cards. If you have any information regarding the thefts or these stolen cards, please contact me at abrandongordon@hotmail.com. Unfortunately, we do not have a description of the thieves. I am trying to find the thieves and will see to it that they are prosecuted.

I am still looking to hire a security guard. I want an off-duty or retired police officer. I will be more aggressive and hope to hire someone by the October 2 show. I am also looking for some volunteers who would be willing to take 20-minute shifts to walk around the show and watch for thieves. Please contact me if you would be willing to give me 20 minutes of your time at the October 2nd show.

Most of the dealers victimized by the thefts were younger, newer, dealers that did not have their items protected under a locked display case. I cannot stress the importance of placing valuable card under a locked display case at each and every show. I would also recommend every dealer at every show to be on their toes because thieves are out there. I have observed an uptick in theft since the Pandemic hit as more folks than ever are getting involved in the hobby.

Many at the show said they believe the thieves are working in groups. I just do not know because we do not have a description. The only odd thing I observed was after hearing about the Acuna theft, I walked from the gym into the Fellowship Hall and observed a women, 30-ish, standing a bit back from the dealer tables with her head on a swivel. I mean her head shot toward me as I walked into the room. It was weird and uncomfortable. Maybe she was staring at me because I am so shockingly handsome but I doubt it.

We need a group effort to stop the thefts. We need everyone who attends the show to keep a look out. We have to catch these scumbags and see that they are taken out of the show in handcuffs and incarcerated.

I am just so disappointed in the thefts and don't even know how to express it. I do this for fun. It is never fun being a victim of theft. I know all too well. I don't know what else to say about the thefts other than it just plain sucks.

On a positive note, we had a really great group of dealers at the September show. A great variety of modern and vintage cards. All were professional. For once, I have no issues to report other than the normal no shows -- the guys that fail to show up after reserving a spot. I had two guys that did not show up and did not bother to contact me. I'm just banning guys who no-show me, that includes the guys that contact me less than 24-hours to show time when I can't replace them.

In the weeks leading up to the show, I got into it with a few dealers that had no-showed me in the past. I won't let them back in. I have a huge waiting list and am going to give those guys on the list a chance.

Unfortunately, it is always hit or miss with new dealers. I never know what I am going to get but just hope for the best. I had one new guy argue with me over the price of the table prior to the show. I told him not to show up and I gave his space to someone who was appreciative of the opportunity to set up at the show.

I thought we had a tremendous crowd at the September show considering it was Labor Day weekend and there was another show occurring at the same time in Rosemont, Illinois. I am not sure who operates that show any more. It used to be Fanatics. I don't think they still run it.

I was as a regular dealer at that show, originally founded by George Johnson and known as the Sun-Times show because George always had a big ad in the Chicago Sub-Times newspaper. These new promoters do a lousy job of advertising and attendance has suffered over the years. I stopped setting up after barely making table fee at one of the shows several years ago.

A few guys who attended both my show and that Rosemont show reported that I had more dealers and better attendance at the Sal than that Rosemont show.

Over at my tables in the Game Room at the Sal show, I observed much better attendance since we changed the entrance to the show from the gym to the main front doors. I know a handful of dealers in the gym were not happy with the change but I think it is only fair to the dealers in the other three rooms that the entrance be at the main front doors as customers in the past failed to visit the other three rooms. Each time I went into the gym there was a nice crowd Saturday. For once, none of the dealers in the other three rooms had a complaint! Honestly, I am so tired of complaints because I put a huge effort into operating this card show and each complaint shows that my efforts are not good enough or under-appreciated. It was so nice that there were very few complaints at the show Saturday. 

I brought out all of my baseball binders and one display case. Sales out of the binders were steady in the morning then slowed down after 11 a.m. when I had to make my rounds. Once I returned to my tables around 1 p.m., sales slowed to a trickle. I have to give props to Rachel for watching my tables on her own while I was off in the other rooms. Normally, Rachel is assisted by Jason, who ditched us for the Rosemont show. Though he did stop by before heading to Rosemont. Jason is a great kid, I'll give him a little slack this time.

Surprisingly, I did not sell one card out of my display case. Last show, I sold a ton of stuff out of the display case. I had a lot of interest in a 1963 Topps Lou Brock but nobody pulled the trigger. For the October show, I think I am bringing out my football, basketball and hockey binders. I'll probably fill the display case with mid-1960's baseball stars.

On the buying front, I was astounded at the number of extremely interesting items that showed up at my tables from rare Spic and Span Milwaukee Braves issues from the 1950s to scorecards and yearbooks from the 1930's through the 1950's, autographs from the 1930's, and some pennants from the 1950's. Neat stuff! I need to do some research before I make any offers on these items. Hopefully, I can work out some deals down the road. I am just not an expert in this area but really enjoyed having the opportunity to hold and look at these things.

I did buy a bunch of stuff from Jim, the dealer set up next to me, including some 1952 and 1957 Topps baseball and a box of 1973 Topps football. Jim drives up from Indiana and is a stellar vintage dealer. I really appreciate his efforts. Thanks Jim!

Though, we have many stellar dealers at this show, it is overwhelming. I put this show up against any other in the country. With 65 dealers, we have such a huge variety from modern to vintage, to dime boxes, to high end, wax and more. As someone who just loves vintage cards, I pride myself on the number of vintage dealers that set up at this show. I probably have more vintage dealers than any other show in the country other than say the National and the Strongsville, Ohio, yearly vintage show.

I am really thankful for all of the great dealers at my show, both modern and vintage. You guys and gals rule!

Next show at the Sal is October 2, 2021. Former Brewers pitcher Don August will be signing autographs from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. I am probably going to place him in either the front hallway or in the Fellowship Hall, the room behind the gym.  Autographs will cost $15. I will have some of his cards available to purchase for $1 each while supplies last. I will accept mail in but they must reach me by October 1, 2021. Send mail orders to:

Attorney Anthony B. Gordon
201 E. Dundee Road, Suite 2
Palatine, IL 60074

I am also setting up at a couple of shows prior to my October 2nd show at the Sal. Next weekend, on Sunday, September 12, 2021, I will be at the Buenavista Banquets show, 7507 W. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee, WI. Then the following weekend, on Sunday, September 19, find me at the Orland Park Civic Center, 14750 S. Ravinia, Orland Park, IL.

I look forward to seeing you all soon! In the meantime, stay safe and help me find those thieves!

​Below are some photos from the September 4, 2021, Sal show. The first three are photos from the gym while the last two are photos from the Game Room. If you have never been to this show, we also have dealers in the main hallway and in Fellowship Hall. It is kind of a maze. Be sure to visit all four rooms!