Sunday, October 14, 2018, Gonzaga Hall, Milwaukee, WI

Okay, I want to step back a month to the October Gonzaga show. I can't seem to blog these shows in any sort of order. I am writing this one on Thanksgiving (Happy Thanksgiving!). My son is next to me watching a cartoon called Chowder where one of the characters is a fart. Yes, you read that right, a fart. So this fart cloud is following the main character around and, well, farting. It is very unpleasant. So I am trying to block out this Chowder cartoon and write this blog.

Anyway, I had a very nice show in October at Gonzaga. Jim purchased some 1954 Topps Braves. Jerome attacked my newly reloaded 1960 Topps binder. George continued to work on 1963 Fleer baseball. A new customer, James, told me he has observed my posts on Net54, a pre-War sports card forum. James purchased some 1959 Topps baseball.

Paul purchased some 1976-77 Topps basketball along with '75-76 and '76-77 Topps hockey. A new customer purchased some 1976 Topps baseball. A regular customer purchased some 1975 Topps baseball. Jason purchased my 1955 Topps Sandy Koufax rookie. Thanks Jason!

A regular customer purchased some 1948 Bowman basketball. Another regular purchased some 1952 Topps, a 1963 Topps Y.A. Tittle, a 1951 Bowman Norm Van Brocklin, and some 1960 Fleer Greats. A new customer purchased a 1965 Philadelphia Paul Krause.

A regular customer purchased a 1934 Diamond Stars Stan Hack. Bill drove up from Illinois and purchased my 1966 Topps Hank Aaron, Al Kaline, and Brooks Robinson. A regular customer purchased a 1964 Topps Roger Maris. John purchased my 1966 Topps Willie Mays along with a bunch of '66 commons.

Then there were the knuckleheads, a group of guys I have never seen before who camped out in front of my tables buying and selling cards amongst themselves. When they started to place their cards and do their transactions on my tables, I had to tell them to move along. I actually told them to conduct their business elsewhere because I pay for the right to sell cards on these tables. One of the younger guys mocked me when I said conduct business. Well, isn't that what they were doing? The young guy was buying and selling cards on my tables. I don't know what else to call it. I don't know who these guys were. I did not see them at the November show, thankfully.

So instead of moving to another place in the room, they just stepped a few feet back from my tables... complete, utter knuckleheads.

Anyway, I was having a monster day selling cards so these guys could not ruin my day. I continued with strong sales. A regular purchased a Tony Taylor autograph. Another regular purchased some 1960 Topps baseball. Another regular purchased a 1958 Topps Joe Adcock. 

A customer I see every so often purchased some 1960 Fleer Greats of the Game. Terry purchased some 1960 Topps football which he promptly returned to me at the November show. I really hate returns. I am not Macy's. Once you buy a card, that card is yours. Down the road, if you don't like the card, you can always sell it, don't return it to the dealer. Terry is notorious for returns. In fact, he is the only customer that returns cards.

On a lighter note, it was nice to see Andy, who was in town from Florida. Andy never returns cards. We always work out a cash and trade deal. This show was no exception. Eric purchased a 1958 Don MacMahon. He told me MacMahon tried to retire in the 1960's to coach but was called back into duty because the Braves needed some pitching. 

On the buying front, I purchased some 1963 Topps and some 1936 Goudey Wide Pens. I had a really great show.

Next up is my show December 1st at the Four Points Sheraton, 5311 S. Howell, in Milwaukee. Sixteen dealers so far. I expect one or two will sign up during the week. We will be in the Rembrandt and Monet Rooms. I've picked up some great wax to giveaway and everyone who enters the show will get three free packs of cards. I'm also bringing free doughnuts.

This is my last show at the Clarion/Four Points Sheraton after four years and three months. On the one hand, I'm kind of sad. I had a really great run there. It is too bad the Marriott Corp bought and ruined the hotel. On the other hand, I am excited about moving to the Salvation Army Community Center, 8853 S. Howell, in Oak Creek, Wi. The Salvation Army folks are so incredibly nice and  supportive, I can't wait to get going there. 

So I'm skipping January, no show. Then the first show at the Salvation Army will be February 2, 2019. In the meantime, come on out to my last show at the Sheraton on December 1st!

Four Points Sheraton, Milwaukee, November 3, 2018

Over the weekend of the October show, the hotel manager, who does not actually work at the hotel but in an office in Schaumberg, Illinois, finally charged my debit card for the September show, after I made repeated requests to do so over the course of the month. Then the next day, she charged my debit card twice for the October show! I immediately requested a refund for the over charge. She said no. We argued for a couple of weeks and finally agreed to use the second charge for the November show. She also agreed to give me the second room at half price.

Luckily, our own Mike Mahan, who deals in both vintage and modern cards, recently became employed by the hotel as its on-site sales manager. The off-site manager did not stick to our agreement and sold the second room to another event. Without Mike working at the hotel, I might have been in trouble but Mike took care of me and was able to put me in both the larger Mitchell and Concord rooms at a price that did not break the bank, as I had a run of dealers call and ask for tables. Thanks Mike!

Turns out that this was my largest show to date with 21 dealers and 50 tables. There was also a tremendous turn out of customers. I went through a ton a wax for my giveaways, purchasing several boxes from wax dealers Roger Baehr and Brian Christopherson during the show. This may have been the most wax I’ve gone through. I definitely need to restock before the December show.

I just can’t say how cool it was to see so many dealers and so many tables at my show. I received a ton of compliments during the show from both customers and dealers alike, which I really appreciate. My philosophy as a show promoter is pretty simple – make a show that I, personally, would want to attend as a customer. I think I’ve done that by providing a friendly atmosphere, free admission, a great variety of dealers, and a free gift of wax packs, good wax packs, not just junk, for everyone who attends. I had two tables with kids selling Pokemon and other non-sports cards which is so incredibly awesome. This is a hobby for young and old and it is so rewarding when both turn out and have a great time.

Another great thing I observed at this show was the large amount of people hanging out all day at the show, socializing and having a good time. I think the social aspect is the most important part of my show. I want people to hang out, talk cards, sports, whatever, and have a good time. I’ve always felt that as a sports card dealer, I am sort of like a bartender at the neighborhood tavern where regulars come in, get to know everybody, and chat like family. I really enjoy talking with everybody who stops into the show. I learn something new about cards or the history of sports at every single show. What it comes down to, is that anyone can go online and buy a card, but it is so impersonal. At my show, you get to see the card in all of its paper glory before making the purchase and you get to talk with the seller and meet a ton of collectors. I consider everyone there my family and good friends. Many of the guys, both dealers and customers, I’ve known for years. It is such a tremendous atmosphere and I look forward to it every single month. When this month’s show was dying down and dealers were packing up, man, I didn’t want it to end! I could have stayed all night and talked cards, bought cards, sold cards.

Speaking of purchasing cards, I certainly bought some cards and other stuff at this show. Prior to the show, a couple of guys emailed, texted, and said they had cards to show me for potential purchase, so I came prepared with a pocketful of cash.

Larry hit me up very early during set up with a box of publications from the 1920s through the 1950s. I bought ‘em. It is tough to find a dealer more reasonably priced than Larry Larsen. Thanks Larry!

Then a new customer came in with his childhood collection. He had a binder filled with 1961 Topps including some stars like Koufax, Gibson, Aaron, Billy Williams rookie, and some high numbers. There was a smattering of other years including a 1959 Aaron and a 1966 Rose. He also had a Milwaukee Braves pennant from the 1950’s and a 1970 Brewers pennant, pictured below. I made an offer and told him to shop the group around. He came back to me and I bought the cards and the pennants.

I picked up some 1954 Bowman football from Jerry. I purchased a couple of cards from Eric. I bought a Tony Perez rookie from new dealer Dave. I bought some good stuff from dealer Scotty P. I also bought about 40 publications from the 1940’s from Tom and Josh.
The funny part was I didn’t buy anything from the guys who I had spoken to prior to the show. We just couldn’t work out deals. Which is fine. It doesn’t always work for everybody. I’ve bought from them in the past and I am sure I’ll buy from them in the future.

On the selling front, I had a tremendous day. Unfortunately, I realized half-way during the show that I forgot to write down my sales. So I am not exactly sure of what I sold. All I know is that money kept going out of my pocket for purchases but was shortly replenished by sales. I went home with money in my pocket, which as a dealer who likes to buy, is not easy to do!

Let’s see what I can remember… Jerome, as usual, hit my newest reloaded binder, 1962 Topps baseball. Thanks Jerome! A regular customer purchased my 1959 Topps Mickey Mantle along with a handful of 1958 Topps which he said completes his set. Woot! I love being able to help someone complete their set. He also told me something very interesting. We got to talking about 1961 Topps and he told me that when he was a kid in 1961, the later series, the one with the high numbers, was never distributed in Milwaukee. As a result, he had to wait until he was an adult to complete his childhood set at card shows. I always assumed that the last series was distributed nationally but kids had lost interest by the time they came out in the fall.

Back to sales, Paul purchased some old hockey cards. John, who said he lives on Howell, the same street where both the Sheraton and the Salvation Army Community Center are located, purchased some 1970’s football. A regular customer purchased a T206. One of my regular autograph hounds purchased some cards to send out in the mail for autographs. He told me there are still a handful of guys living from the 1949 Bowman set. He was happy to see that I had a nice selection of 1949 Bowmans.

Jim K. purchased some 1955 Topps baseball. I had quite a few new customers and if I may brag a little, my show seems to draw in folks who are interested in rejoining the hobby after years of being out. I had a bunch of new guys buy cards.

What a great show! I am overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who participated, both dealers and customers. Man, you guys really rocked it this month!!

I am ecstatic that the show will be continuing in 2019 at my new location, the Salvation Army Community Center. Those folks are excited to have us come there. Their youth group is going to run a concession stand at each show as a fundraiser for the sports teams.

One more show at the Four Points Sheraton on December 1!!! Hip, hip, hooray!!! If someone ever runs a show at the Four Points Sheraton, keep in mind that it won’t be me. I refuse to ever deal with the Marriott Corp. again.
​
I am not going to hold a show in January. I will start up at the Salvation Army on February 2, 2019. In the meantime, let’s get another large crowd for one last hurrah at the Four Points Sheraton on December 1, 2018. I’m bringing doughnuts (Mike don’t kick me out!).
​

Orland Park Civic Center, September 23, 2018, Orland Park, IL

I'm starting to feel the love at the Orland Park show. Two guys brought me coffee. Woot! Thanks Larry and Will!!

I did not have a large number of sales but they were decent and added up. A regular purchased some 1970 Topps Super, a regular customer purchased a 1963 Topps Hank Aaron, a father and son team decked out in White Sox gear purchased some 1965 Topps Embossed.

Jon bought some 1977 and 1979s, Dan bought some 1957 and 1958s, Larry picked up some 1975s, a regular customer purchased some 1957s, another regular customer purchased some 1968 Topps Game, Rick bought some 1955s, 1956s and 1957s. Thank Rick!

Gil picked up some 1964s, Joel purchased a bunch of Bears from the 1950s. A new customer purchased some 1966 Philadelphia football, and a regular customer rounded out my day with some 1959s. 

​I know there were some other sales but I got bogged down and did not write them all down.

On the buying front, I bought a bunch of 1960 Topps.

Nothing else much to report other than it was another pleasant day in Orland Park. I'll next be at Orland on November 18. Also, mark your calendars for my final show at the Four Points Sheraton, 5311 S. Howell, in Milwaukee. I have finalized the contract with the Salvation Army Community Center in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, and will move my show there on February 2, 2019. Woot!