Sunday, May 4, 2025, Porter County Fairgrounds, Valparaiso, IN
For some reason, I thought Valpo was only an hour drive from my house. Turns out it is about an hour and a half. To make matters worse, I had a late start.
Yet, it all worked out. There were still plenty of dealers loading in when I arrived around 8:30 a.m. for the 9 a.m. show.
This is the second show that Ben and Haley have put on at the Porter County Fairgrounds. I had an excellent show first time around so I booked this one even though it was the day after Oak Creek and I was awfully tired.
I was located in the same spot as last time though I had new neighbors which included a group of Pokemon guys on my left and a modern sports card dealer on my right. Dave was in the same spot not far away with his son. Dave commented on my tardiness. I thought nobody noticed!
Attendance seemed a little lower than last time. Things were kind of slow early on so I walked the room. There were a good seven or eight vintage dealers, which I always love to see. Didn't seem like we had a whole lot of vintage customers, though. We need to get the word out that this is a great show for vintage sports collectors!
I brought out the same set up as Oak Creek which included all of my baseball binders and all of my publications. My first sale was to a father and son team that I also see regularly in Orland. I sold a 1959 Washington Senators program. A few other guys dinked around. Bob, who bought a bunch of cards from me last time, was not interested in my stuff this time around which made me think that this was going to be a long day.
Then Dale sat down and had his eyes on my entire 1960 Topps binder. Dale told me that he and his wife have been running sports cards and toy auctions since 1985. He has a warehouse and employees. Sounds like a big operation. No wonder he spends a lot of money at every show. We worked out a deal for the 1960 binder -- my show was made. I was ready to go home, though, I hate being one of the first people to pack up and leave, so I stuck it out.
Then the father and daughter team I met last time at this show, purchased a pile of cards. Thank you! I ended up having an excellent day once again!
On the buying front Jimmy C. was there and sold me some cards. Thanks Jim! I did not think anything would come to my table and did not bring much money. I had to race out and hit an ATM to pay Jim. I found a gas station nearby and also picked up some coffee and a sandwich since there were no refreshments available at the show. Man, I needed that coffee!
I do not know when Ben and Haley are going to run another show here. I saw that another promoter booked the venue for a show in June. I've got a problem when other promoters book venues already used by another promoter. Ben and Haley have spent some time and money building this show, now this new guy is going to go in and ride their coat tails. Not right. He should pick a different venue. I won't set up.
Next up for me is the Wisconsin Card Show from Friday through Sunday, May 16 to 18, at the Baird Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee. Not sure what I'm going to bring out. I don't have a new binder ready to go and hate to bring them out when there is nothing new. Plus, I no longer have a 1960 Topps baseball binder. I did start a new one but not sure when I'll have it completed. I'm kind of leaning towards a display case set up with raw baseball stars. I am slowly pricing more raw star cards.
Next Oak Creek show is June 7. Show is sold out as usual and overbooked. Next MegaShow is September 20.
Funeral Services for my late great pal Willie Shabas is set from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Christian Funeral Home, 3526 N. Cicero Ave., Chicago, IL. I am so depressed.
Stay healthy everybody!!
For some reason, I thought Valpo was only an hour drive from my house. Turns out it is about an hour and a half. To make matters worse, I had a late start.
Yet, it all worked out. There were still plenty of dealers loading in when I arrived around 8:30 a.m. for the 9 a.m. show.
This is the second show that Ben and Haley have put on at the Porter County Fairgrounds. I had an excellent show first time around so I booked this one even though it was the day after Oak Creek and I was awfully tired.
I was located in the same spot as last time though I had new neighbors which included a group of Pokemon guys on my left and a modern sports card dealer on my right. Dave was in the same spot not far away with his son. Dave commented on my tardiness. I thought nobody noticed!
Attendance seemed a little lower than last time. Things were kind of slow early on so I walked the room. There were a good seven or eight vintage dealers, which I always love to see. Didn't seem like we had a whole lot of vintage customers, though. We need to get the word out that this is a great show for vintage sports collectors!
I brought out the same set up as Oak Creek which included all of my baseball binders and all of my publications. My first sale was to a father and son team that I also see regularly in Orland. I sold a 1959 Washington Senators program. A few other guys dinked around. Bob, who bought a bunch of cards from me last time, was not interested in my stuff this time around which made me think that this was going to be a long day.
Then Dale sat down and had his eyes on my entire 1960 Topps binder. Dale told me that he and his wife have been running sports cards and toy auctions since 1985. He has a warehouse and employees. Sounds like a big operation. No wonder he spends a lot of money at every show. We worked out a deal for the 1960 binder -- my show was made. I was ready to go home, though, I hate being one of the first people to pack up and leave, so I stuck it out.
Then the father and daughter team I met last time at this show, purchased a pile of cards. Thank you! I ended up having an excellent day once again!
On the buying front Jimmy C. was there and sold me some cards. Thanks Jim! I did not think anything would come to my table and did not bring much money. I had to race out and hit an ATM to pay Jim. I found a gas station nearby and also picked up some coffee and a sandwich since there were no refreshments available at the show. Man, I needed that coffee!
I do not know when Ben and Haley are going to run another show here. I saw that another promoter booked the venue for a show in June. I've got a problem when other promoters book venues already used by another promoter. Ben and Haley have spent some time and money building this show, now this new guy is going to go in and ride their coat tails. Not right. He should pick a different venue. I won't set up.
Next up for me is the Wisconsin Card Show from Friday through Sunday, May 16 to 18, at the Baird Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee. Not sure what I'm going to bring out. I don't have a new binder ready to go and hate to bring them out when there is nothing new. Plus, I no longer have a 1960 Topps baseball binder. I did start a new one but not sure when I'll have it completed. I'm kind of leaning towards a display case set up with raw baseball stars. I am slowly pricing more raw star cards.
Next Oak Creek show is June 7. Show is sold out as usual and overbooked. Next MegaShow is September 20.
Funeral Services for my late great pal Willie Shabas is set from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Christian Funeral Home, 3526 N. Cicero Ave., Chicago, IL. I am so depressed.
Stay healthy everybody!!
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