Sunday, February 16, 2020, Orland Park Civic Center, Illinois
Crazy busy week of work so not much time to prep for the show. It seems like I have been working on reloading my 1968 Topps baseball binder forever. Hopefully I'll have it done by the Sal show on March 7.
That alarm at 6 a.m. Sunday morning stung like a bee. The only relief available was snooze. Needless to say, I was slow getting out of the gate on this morning. I noticed that the sun was out earlier than usual. I had been driving to shows in darkness the past several months. It was really nice to see the sun out early again and no weather to speak of.
I had an easy drive down to Orland. The parking lot was packed when I arrived at 8:20 a.m. Load in was tough because guys were sitting down on chairs in front of the dealer tables already. The room was packed while I was setting up. I tried to hustle but stopped to buy some cards from Junior. I finished setting up around 9:20 a.m. and the room was hopping! This was easily the largest Orland crowd in months.
I was surprised at the early crowd because it is usually a late arriving crowd in Orland. There was a little lull around 11 a.m.. but then it picked right back up again. There were people in the room looking at cards at my tables up until 2 p.m. or so.
I was very busy all day but it seemed like all the sales were for small dollar amounts and my final numbers were not as high as they should have been with that kind of crowd. So, I was a little disappointed.
Buying on the other hand was....
Crazy busy week of work so not much time to prep for the show. It seems like I have been working on reloading my 1968 Topps baseball binder forever. Hopefully I'll have it done by the Sal show on March 7.
That alarm at 6 a.m. Sunday morning stung like a bee. The only relief available was snooze. Needless to say, I was slow getting out of the gate on this morning. I noticed that the sun was out earlier than usual. I had been driving to shows in darkness the past several months. It was really nice to see the sun out early again and no weather to speak of.
I had an easy drive down to Orland. The parking lot was packed when I arrived at 8:20 a.m. Load in was tough because guys were sitting down on chairs in front of the dealer tables already. The room was packed while I was setting up. I tried to hustle but stopped to buy some cards from Junior. I finished setting up around 9:20 a.m. and the room was hopping! This was easily the largest Orland crowd in months.
I was surprised at the early crowd because it is usually a late arriving crowd in Orland. There was a little lull around 11 a.m.. but then it picked right back up again. There were people in the room looking at cards at my tables up until 2 p.m. or so.
I was very busy all day but it seemed like all the sales were for small dollar amounts and my final numbers were not as high as they should have been with that kind of crowd. So, I was a little disappointed.
Buying on the other hand was....
In addition to buying a bunch of cards from Junior, Jeff T. hit me up while I was setting up and I ended up buying three 5,000 count boxes of early 1970's. I know, I know! But they were so cheap, I couldn't resist. I did reject the mid and late 1970's boxes.
Then I had a deal in place prior to the show with Joe who brought me 1966 Topps high numbers and 1964 Topps Coins. Thanks Joe! I bought some cards from Larry including a 1956 Topps Jackie Robinson. Then I bought a bunch of stuff from Larry's buddy, whose name escapes me. He had some Diamond Stars which turned out to be the buy of the day. I bought a few cards from Jim then ended the day with a big purchase from Walt. I was short 40 bucks, thankfully Paul lent me the dough. Thanks Paul!
I don't know how many thousands of cards I purchased today but it was a huge haul! Good thing I drove my wife's SUV to the show because I would not have been able to fit the cards in my Camry.
The highlight of the day was hanging out with Will's grandson Charlie. What a great kid. I think he is eight or nine years old and absolutely loves cards. It was fun watching him hop from table to table with unbridled enthusiasm. He loves new cards. He told me he doesn't like the "old-time" cards on my tables. He said they are "torture!" I had a good laugh.
Then there was a little political discussion at my table. I tried to stamp it out but guys are so passionate about their politics and once they get going it is tough for them to stop. I would prefer if we didn't talk politics. Card shows are my escape from the real world. When I'm at a card show I just want to talk about cards and sports. I am much more passionate about sports than I am politics and enjoy talking sports and food, for that matter. So let's make an effort to talk cards, sports and food at the card shows -- not politics. Thank you!
Speaking of food, I was disappointed that the concession stand did not have chili dogs today. Where were the chili dogs? I had two hot dogs with just mustard. I need more than mustard on my dog. If they are not going to bring out chili, they should at least have some onions and tomatoes to top out the dogs.
Though, complaining about today's show is difficult. It was a really good show. The room was packed so I can't ask for much else. Promoter Rich Troy does an excellent job with this show. I can't say enough about Rich. He is a tremendous promoter.
No shows for me next weekend. I am looking forward to the break after three straight weekends of shows. I am sleeping in next weekend! Woot!
A real nice guy came by my tables promoting a new show in Dolton, Illinois. We chatted for a while. I think it is great he is promoting a new show but I won't be there. I have too much on my plate and need some free weekends here and there. People ask me all the time to set up at this show or that show or they are contemplating on creating a show. Don't count me in because I won't be there. I've got my show, Gonzaga and Orland each and every month -- that's all I can do. Like I said, I can't wait to sleep in next weekend! I NEED to sleep in next weekend!!
After the break, I will be back at it on March 7 for my show at the Sal. I am pretty much all out of dealer space. The Sal show has exploded. I should be well rested and ready on March 7th. See you then!
Then I had a deal in place prior to the show with Joe who brought me 1966 Topps high numbers and 1964 Topps Coins. Thanks Joe! I bought some cards from Larry including a 1956 Topps Jackie Robinson. Then I bought a bunch of stuff from Larry's buddy, whose name escapes me. He had some Diamond Stars which turned out to be the buy of the day. I bought a few cards from Jim then ended the day with a big purchase from Walt. I was short 40 bucks, thankfully Paul lent me the dough. Thanks Paul!
I don't know how many thousands of cards I purchased today but it was a huge haul! Good thing I drove my wife's SUV to the show because I would not have been able to fit the cards in my Camry.
The highlight of the day was hanging out with Will's grandson Charlie. What a great kid. I think he is eight or nine years old and absolutely loves cards. It was fun watching him hop from table to table with unbridled enthusiasm. He loves new cards. He told me he doesn't like the "old-time" cards on my tables. He said they are "torture!" I had a good laugh.
Then there was a little political discussion at my table. I tried to stamp it out but guys are so passionate about their politics and once they get going it is tough for them to stop. I would prefer if we didn't talk politics. Card shows are my escape from the real world. When I'm at a card show I just want to talk about cards and sports. I am much more passionate about sports than I am politics and enjoy talking sports and food, for that matter. So let's make an effort to talk cards, sports and food at the card shows -- not politics. Thank you!
Speaking of food, I was disappointed that the concession stand did not have chili dogs today. Where were the chili dogs? I had two hot dogs with just mustard. I need more than mustard on my dog. If they are not going to bring out chili, they should at least have some onions and tomatoes to top out the dogs.
Though, complaining about today's show is difficult. It was a really good show. The room was packed so I can't ask for much else. Promoter Rich Troy does an excellent job with this show. I can't say enough about Rich. He is a tremendous promoter.
No shows for me next weekend. I am looking forward to the break after three straight weekends of shows. I am sleeping in next weekend! Woot!
A real nice guy came by my tables promoting a new show in Dolton, Illinois. We chatted for a while. I think it is great he is promoting a new show but I won't be there. I have too much on my plate and need some free weekends here and there. People ask me all the time to set up at this show or that show or they are contemplating on creating a show. Don't count me in because I won't be there. I've got my show, Gonzaga and Orland each and every month -- that's all I can do. Like I said, I can't wait to sleep in next weekend! I NEED to sleep in next weekend!!
After the break, I will be back at it on March 7 for my show at the Sal. I am pretty much all out of dealer space. The Sal show has exploded. I should be well rested and ready on March 7th. See you then!
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