I had a terrific show in Schaumburg on Sunday. I've been doing this show regularly for about 10 years. The other dealers are always solid. I always enjoy seeing Fred, Willie, Dan, Don, Ted, Corky and Tom -- all really good guys. Don had a nice grouping of vintage that I was unable to pull the trigger on because I spent all my money on three shoe boxes filled with vintage from Fred. I've bought vintage from all these guys in the past and I appreciate the nice deals.
The show was sparsely attended which makes no sense to me because there was an excellent selection of vintage and modern cards in the room. I may start setting up here more than once a month because I'm about done with the Orland show, hopefully I can bring in some more customers. Like I've said before, Fred is one of the best show promoters you will ever meet as a dealer. He is extremely reasonable on his table fee and does not care when you decide to pack up and leave.
I knew I was going to have a good day when I made some money before the show even began. A card shop owner contacted Fred to pick up a 1967 Topps Brooks Robinson from me. That was a nice chunk of change to begin the show. Though what made the show for me were the autograph hounds -- the guys that go through my stuff and buy cards to send out to players for their autograph. Between Willie, Tom, Bob and a few other guys, I had a terrific show. My sales were nearly the same as my last Orland show and my table fee was a third of the cost!! I also sold some cards to a few other guys. I made a nice deal with long-time customer Larry where we traded some nice cards and I took in some cash for some others. The highlight of this deal for me were 1934-35 Diamond Stars Charley Gehringer and Paul Waner. I love Diamond Stars, the artwork on these cards is tremendous. No other card from the pre-war era puts so much detail into the background of the card. There is so much going on in these cards, they're a real pleasure to view. Diamond Stars are also very affordable, especially compared to the more popular Goudey cards from this era.
Another key to the Schaumburg show is the hotel breakfast buffet. For 12 bucks you can get all the scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, fruit and doughnuts that you can eat. After 11 a.m., the restaurant sells Chinese food. The Chinese food is just okay and a little over-priced. They used to sell burgers and pasta but turned into a Chinese restaurant sometime last year. I miss the burgers, they were actually one of the best burgers around. Every time I go to this show, I ask the guy in the restaurant if he'll make me a burger. He just laughs at me and hands me the menu for Chinese food.
I'll be back at the Schaumburg show soon on Sunday, June 5, 2011. The first show of the month here usually attracts more customers because there is a second show operating down the street at a Holiday Inn in Rolling Meadows and many customers like to attend both shows. I've never set up at the Rolling Meadows show. If there are two shows next to each other and one of the promoters is Fred Copp, I'll set up at Fred's show every time. I have nothing against the Rolling Meadows promoter but Fred is the best!!
This Sunday is probably my last John Leary Orland show. It's a shame, I used to look forward to that show, now I dread it and wonder in what way I will be hassled this time. If enough of my Orland customers are interested, I may put on my own show in the area. I'm going to start checking into rental rates.
The show was sparsely attended which makes no sense to me because there was an excellent selection of vintage and modern cards in the room. I may start setting up here more than once a month because I'm about done with the Orland show, hopefully I can bring in some more customers. Like I've said before, Fred is one of the best show promoters you will ever meet as a dealer. He is extremely reasonable on his table fee and does not care when you decide to pack up and leave.
I knew I was going to have a good day when I made some money before the show even began. A card shop owner contacted Fred to pick up a 1967 Topps Brooks Robinson from me. That was a nice chunk of change to begin the show. Though what made the show for me were the autograph hounds -- the guys that go through my stuff and buy cards to send out to players for their autograph. Between Willie, Tom, Bob and a few other guys, I had a terrific show. My sales were nearly the same as my last Orland show and my table fee was a third of the cost!! I also sold some cards to a few other guys. I made a nice deal with long-time customer Larry where we traded some nice cards and I took in some cash for some others. The highlight of this deal for me were 1934-35 Diamond Stars Charley Gehringer and Paul Waner. I love Diamond Stars, the artwork on these cards is tremendous. No other card from the pre-war era puts so much detail into the background of the card. There is so much going on in these cards, they're a real pleasure to view. Diamond Stars are also very affordable, especially compared to the more popular Goudey cards from this era.
Another key to the Schaumburg show is the hotel breakfast buffet. For 12 bucks you can get all the scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, fruit and doughnuts that you can eat. After 11 a.m., the restaurant sells Chinese food. The Chinese food is just okay and a little over-priced. They used to sell burgers and pasta but turned into a Chinese restaurant sometime last year. I miss the burgers, they were actually one of the best burgers around. Every time I go to this show, I ask the guy in the restaurant if he'll make me a burger. He just laughs at me and hands me the menu for Chinese food.
I'll be back at the Schaumburg show soon on Sunday, June 5, 2011. The first show of the month here usually attracts more customers because there is a second show operating down the street at a Holiday Inn in Rolling Meadows and many customers like to attend both shows. I've never set up at the Rolling Meadows show. If there are two shows next to each other and one of the promoters is Fred Copp, I'll set up at Fred's show every time. I have nothing against the Rolling Meadows promoter but Fred is the best!!
This Sunday is probably my last John Leary Orland show. It's a shame, I used to look forward to that show, now I dread it and wonder in what way I will be hassled this time. If enough of my Orland customers are interested, I may put on my own show in the area. I'm going to start checking into rental rates.
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