I am learning very quickly that I must have a different approach to setting up at a show where I am the promoter. The fourth Smith & Gordon show occurred on Saturday, December 20, 2014. We had two dealers drop out during the week, so I had to bring extra material to spread out. Whether I am a customer, dealer or promoter, I hate seeing empty tables in the room. My first inclination is to pass off the empty tables to other dealers. Even so, just in case the dealers next to the empties did not have extra material to spread out, I spent some extra time early Saturday morning loading extra material into my car. I had my Camry packed with cards from floor to ceiling -- enough for five 8-foot tables. Good thing because I had to fill five 8-foot tables on this morning. I had my usual 9 display cases, all my regular binders plus three additional ones I put together special for this show -- one had autographs, the second had non-sports, and the third had 1967 Topps baseball poster inserts. My regular material fit on four tables. I placed the additional material on the fifth table which included some cheapy boxes that I have been carting around for years along with assorted memorabilia and publications.
I was very busy for most of the day. Jeff and Jason purchased their usual pile of cards. I brought out my backstock of 1954 Topps baseball for Jim and he found quite a few cards in there. The gentleman who left his umbrella at my table back at the October show returned for this show. I had been carting around his umbrella in my car for the past two months hoping he would return. He found quite a few cards in my newly reloaded 1972 Topps baseball binder and was very pleased I returned his umbrella. Jack also found quite a few cards in that '72 binder to send out for autographs. Quite a few guys, with lists in hand, pulled cards from my binders for their sets. Larry purchased a box of cards from the 1970s that I have been carting around forever. Some new customers purchased a reprint Ted Williams advertising sign and an old Ozzie Smith plaque. Overall, I had a really nice day. Nothing really showed up at the buying front. One dealer had some '55 Bowmans that I did not purchase but just may get them next time.
Set up near me was Mike Johnson and he was in a pretty good mood because he sold a 1965 Topps Mickey Mantle. Across from me was Mike, who I know from the Orland shows. It looked like he was busy all day and hopefully his sales were good and he will return. I think the thing that helps make this show unique is that Mark and I are able to lure in some out of town dealers like Mike that do not normally set up in Milwaukee. We had several Illinois dealers at this show making their Milwaukee debut including Mike, Don, Eli and Luis. Don said he sold mostly memorabilia and not much in cards. Eli and Luis along with Eli's brother had an impressive display of vintage cards. It looked like they were busy all day. They have already booked for the January 3rd show.
I think sales were down for some of our regular dealers who sell modern cards. We can't seem to draw the modern card crowd which is understandable since Mark and I, the promoters, are vintage dealers. I don't know how to draw the modern card customers -- any suggestions would be appreciated. I would also like to get more autograph collectors in the room for Willie who has a tremendous selection of PSA/DNA certified autographs.
Overall, the customer turn out was down from last show. Mark attributed it to the holiday season where many folks are on vacation, have parties to attend or are busy Christmas shopping. Though, I have a loyal following in Milwaukee and my customers by in large showed up -- THANKS GUYS!!
While it is fun to be in the large Mitchell Room, we won't have as many dealers for the January 3rd show and are back in the Rembrandt Room. The dealer roll for the January 3rd show includes Mark and I, the two Scotts, Willie, Eli and Luis. I will add names on Fatdaddyssports.com homepage as more dealers reserve tables for the show. Though all the regular dealers will have new material out for the January 3rd show, please come on by!! Below are photos from the December 20th show.
I was very busy for most of the day. Jeff and Jason purchased their usual pile of cards. I brought out my backstock of 1954 Topps baseball for Jim and he found quite a few cards in there. The gentleman who left his umbrella at my table back at the October show returned for this show. I had been carting around his umbrella in my car for the past two months hoping he would return. He found quite a few cards in my newly reloaded 1972 Topps baseball binder and was very pleased I returned his umbrella. Jack also found quite a few cards in that '72 binder to send out for autographs. Quite a few guys, with lists in hand, pulled cards from my binders for their sets. Larry purchased a box of cards from the 1970s that I have been carting around forever. Some new customers purchased a reprint Ted Williams advertising sign and an old Ozzie Smith plaque. Overall, I had a really nice day. Nothing really showed up at the buying front. One dealer had some '55 Bowmans that I did not purchase but just may get them next time.
Set up near me was Mike Johnson and he was in a pretty good mood because he sold a 1965 Topps Mickey Mantle. Across from me was Mike, who I know from the Orland shows. It looked like he was busy all day and hopefully his sales were good and he will return. I think the thing that helps make this show unique is that Mark and I are able to lure in some out of town dealers like Mike that do not normally set up in Milwaukee. We had several Illinois dealers at this show making their Milwaukee debut including Mike, Don, Eli and Luis. Don said he sold mostly memorabilia and not much in cards. Eli and Luis along with Eli's brother had an impressive display of vintage cards. It looked like they were busy all day. They have already booked for the January 3rd show.
I think sales were down for some of our regular dealers who sell modern cards. We can't seem to draw the modern card crowd which is understandable since Mark and I, the promoters, are vintage dealers. I don't know how to draw the modern card customers -- any suggestions would be appreciated. I would also like to get more autograph collectors in the room for Willie who has a tremendous selection of PSA/DNA certified autographs.
Overall, the customer turn out was down from last show. Mark attributed it to the holiday season where many folks are on vacation, have parties to attend or are busy Christmas shopping. Though, I have a loyal following in Milwaukee and my customers by in large showed up -- THANKS GUYS!!
While it is fun to be in the large Mitchell Room, we won't have as many dealers for the January 3rd show and are back in the Rembrandt Room. The dealer roll for the January 3rd show includes Mark and I, the two Scotts, Willie, Eli and Luis. I will add names on Fatdaddyssports.com homepage as more dealers reserve tables for the show. Though all the regular dealers will have new material out for the January 3rd show, please come on by!! Below are photos from the December 20th show.
After the Smith & Gordon Show, Mark, Willie and I went over to the Aviator Bar & Grill, located just down the road from the Clarion, on the recommendation of Scotty P. Mark and I dined on some tasty ribs while Willie had a pulled pork sandwich. We all enjoyed the Aviator Bar & Grill and will make that our regular spot until the Owl burger joint opens up in the spring. Scotty P knows his stuff!!
On Sunday, December 21, 2014, I took my wares over to Chicagoland Sports Cards, a baseball card shop in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Owner Les scheduled his second card show for this date. Les gave me two tables by the front door while the other dealers displayed their wares atop the card shop display cases. I did not know what to expect from a card show in a card shop. I was pleasantly surprised as the shop was jammed packed all day! I sold a 1933 Goudey Mickey Cochrane to Uncle Morty. Bill found his way to the shop from the listing on this website and purchased a bunch of cards including some 1969 Topps White Letter Variations. Then I sold cards to a bunch of new customers. A mother and son team bought a bunch of 1959s as Christmas gifts for the husband/dad, including an Eddie Mathews and a Hoyt Wilhelm. Another customer purchased a 1970-71 Topps Jerry West. A customer from Arizona purchased a 1975-76 Topps Dr. J. Another customer purchased 1960 Topps cards including Early Wynn, Ted Kluszewski, and Billy Martin. This customer was unhappy that some of the other dealers had both Cubs and White Sox cards in the same display case. I always figured Buffalo Grove as the heart of Cubs Country but most every customer was a White Sox fan. I sold quite a few White Sox cards. We all agreed that the Sox will have a pretty good team in 2015 and are looking forward to the season.
Other than cards Bill brought in for trade, I did not pick up any cards. Though, one customer tried to trade me a fake 1949 Bowman Satchel Paige and a fake 1950 Bowman Ted Williams. I informed him that the cards were fake. He did not seem surprised or upset that he had obtained fake cards which lends me to think he made them himself on his home computer -- they looked like they were printed on a color printer and pasted to cardboard. Kind of sketchy.
Knowing that Les stocks almost exclusively modern cards in his shop, I was pleasantly surprised that so many vintage collectors attended this show. There was one other dealer with vintage. He had all graded cards and I think he sold quite a few. He had a 1961 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 4.5 priced at $200. Morty offered $115 and he would not take it. Morty really wanted that card at $115 but a deal could not be made.
Down time at the show was spent watching football on the shop's flatscreen television. Les even bought us some pizzas. A pretty good day. I told Les to sign me up any time he runs a show in his shop. His next one will probably be in April. I'll keep you posted as soon as I learn the exact date.
Overall, I had a really nice weekend. My sales were good and I always enjoy hanging out with fellow-sports card enthusiasts. I have just one show set for next weekend -- the Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale on Sunday, December 28, 2014. I am working on reloading my 1969-70 Topps basketball binder. I will also have some new cards for my display cases. My house is decked out for Christmas as my wife always goes to town. We have gifts piled under the tree and my 9 year-old son can't seem to hide his excitement. So it should be a fun Christmas at the Fat Daddy household. I hope everyone has a merry Christmas and I look forward to seeing a large crowd Sunday in Bloomingdale! Below are some photos from the show at Chicagoland Sports Cards.
On Sunday, December 21, 2014, I took my wares over to Chicagoland Sports Cards, a baseball card shop in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Owner Les scheduled his second card show for this date. Les gave me two tables by the front door while the other dealers displayed their wares atop the card shop display cases. I did not know what to expect from a card show in a card shop. I was pleasantly surprised as the shop was jammed packed all day! I sold a 1933 Goudey Mickey Cochrane to Uncle Morty. Bill found his way to the shop from the listing on this website and purchased a bunch of cards including some 1969 Topps White Letter Variations. Then I sold cards to a bunch of new customers. A mother and son team bought a bunch of 1959s as Christmas gifts for the husband/dad, including an Eddie Mathews and a Hoyt Wilhelm. Another customer purchased a 1970-71 Topps Jerry West. A customer from Arizona purchased a 1975-76 Topps Dr. J. Another customer purchased 1960 Topps cards including Early Wynn, Ted Kluszewski, and Billy Martin. This customer was unhappy that some of the other dealers had both Cubs and White Sox cards in the same display case. I always figured Buffalo Grove as the heart of Cubs Country but most every customer was a White Sox fan. I sold quite a few White Sox cards. We all agreed that the Sox will have a pretty good team in 2015 and are looking forward to the season.
Other than cards Bill brought in for trade, I did not pick up any cards. Though, one customer tried to trade me a fake 1949 Bowman Satchel Paige and a fake 1950 Bowman Ted Williams. I informed him that the cards were fake. He did not seem surprised or upset that he had obtained fake cards which lends me to think he made them himself on his home computer -- they looked like they were printed on a color printer and pasted to cardboard. Kind of sketchy.
Knowing that Les stocks almost exclusively modern cards in his shop, I was pleasantly surprised that so many vintage collectors attended this show. There was one other dealer with vintage. He had all graded cards and I think he sold quite a few. He had a 1961 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 4.5 priced at $200. Morty offered $115 and he would not take it. Morty really wanted that card at $115 but a deal could not be made.
Down time at the show was spent watching football on the shop's flatscreen television. Les even bought us some pizzas. A pretty good day. I told Les to sign me up any time he runs a show in his shop. His next one will probably be in April. I'll keep you posted as soon as I learn the exact date.
Overall, I had a really nice weekend. My sales were good and I always enjoy hanging out with fellow-sports card enthusiasts. I have just one show set for next weekend -- the Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale on Sunday, December 28, 2014. I am working on reloading my 1969-70 Topps basketball binder. I will also have some new cards for my display cases. My house is decked out for Christmas as my wife always goes to town. We have gifts piled under the tree and my 9 year-old son can't seem to hide his excitement. So it should be a fun Christmas at the Fat Daddy household. I hope everyone has a merry Christmas and I look forward to seeing a large crowd Sunday in Bloomingdale! Below are some photos from the show at Chicagoland Sports Cards.
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