Saturday, July 13, 2024, IBEW Local 364, Rockford, IL
I can't remember the last time I was set up in Rockford. Seems like it has been a while. Anyway, good to be back.
I was set up around a bunch of friendly faces. Tommy M. was on my left; Kurt, who just moved back to Wisconsin from Seattle, was on my right; Ray A. was set up across from me; Nelson and son were behind Kurt; and I have known the dealer behind me for years but, of course, I have forgotten his name. Also set up near me were long-time pals Skip and Phil. It was a real pleasant day with this group. Thanks guys!!
I brought out all of the binders but I did not have enough room to put out the hockey binders. I used to kill it when promoters John and Mike operated a show at the nearby Rock Church. For some reason, I do not get as many vintage set builders at the Union Hall. I think I need to start bringing out showcases and/or cheapy boxes to this show. I have all sorts of junk wax as well, I wonder how that would do here?
Sales may have been off but it was worth setting up just to see some of my favorite people like Andy from Orlando, TJ and his son, George, Kristy and Kevin. Great seeing you guys! I also thought the show was well attended.
This was the first time I met Kurt who had some serious power from 1953 in his display cases like a Mickey Mantle, Satchel Paige and Jackie Robinson. I was drooling at those cards all day long. It looked like Kurt had a good show. I watched him sell a few slabbed vintage cards.
On the buying front -- nada, nothing, zilch! One guy, who I have met before, offered me a 1968 Topps baseball complete set for $1,500. I thought the price was decent until I looked at the cards. The commons were nice but all of the stars had wear from frayed corners to major creasing. The Ryan rookie had frayed corners and some staining. No creases. The Mantle was phugly, way creased. The Bench rookie was a PSA 3, the only slabbed card in the set. Based on the condition of the stars, I just didn't see $1,500 in value there. Kurt looked at the set as well and agreed. We both offered $1,000 and each of us was turned down. I think the seller needs to upgrade his stars if he wants to get $1,500 for the set.
The next Rockford show conflicts with Orland on August 25 -- I'll be setting up in Orland that day. I'll be setting up in nearby Janesville, WI, on August 11. Please come see me in Janesville!!
Next up for me is a double-bill weekend with Madison on Saturday and Orland on Sunday. Outside of Oak Creek, the Madison and Orland shows are my top shows. Can't wait for next weekend! I'm bringing out all of the binders once again. I may bring out some of the cheapy boxes as well. New for next weekend is 1958 Topps football.
National Update
I have been working feverishly pricing cards for the National which is coming up on July 24 through July 28 in Cleveland. I am bringing all display cases out to the National. If you want to see any binders, let me know. Dave McDonald and I will be set up in booth number 1144.
Oak Creek
Gawd, what a great Oak Creek show on July 6! I'll be a little tired for the next one that is set for Aug. 3, the week after the National. Though, I will get energized if we have the same crowd in August that we had in July.
Random Question
Anyone ever go to or set up at the Cow Palace shows in San Francisco? I can't find any local shows for Labor Day weekend and I saw that there is a 400-table show at the Cow Palace. I checked the prices of flights from Chicago to SF and they are crazy cheap. Hotels are a little pricey out there and I don't know the costs of tables at the show yet. I would also need to rent some display cases... but I am mulling setting up at this show. I would appreciate any feedback. Anyone follow my blog that lives in SF?
Anyway, thanks for following along. See you soon!!
I can't remember the last time I was set up in Rockford. Seems like it has been a while. Anyway, good to be back.
I was set up around a bunch of friendly faces. Tommy M. was on my left; Kurt, who just moved back to Wisconsin from Seattle, was on my right; Ray A. was set up across from me; Nelson and son were behind Kurt; and I have known the dealer behind me for years but, of course, I have forgotten his name. Also set up near me were long-time pals Skip and Phil. It was a real pleasant day with this group. Thanks guys!!
I brought out all of the binders but I did not have enough room to put out the hockey binders. I used to kill it when promoters John and Mike operated a show at the nearby Rock Church. For some reason, I do not get as many vintage set builders at the Union Hall. I think I need to start bringing out showcases and/or cheapy boxes to this show. I have all sorts of junk wax as well, I wonder how that would do here?
Sales may have been off but it was worth setting up just to see some of my favorite people like Andy from Orlando, TJ and his son, George, Kristy and Kevin. Great seeing you guys! I also thought the show was well attended.
This was the first time I met Kurt who had some serious power from 1953 in his display cases like a Mickey Mantle, Satchel Paige and Jackie Robinson. I was drooling at those cards all day long. It looked like Kurt had a good show. I watched him sell a few slabbed vintage cards.
On the buying front -- nada, nothing, zilch! One guy, who I have met before, offered me a 1968 Topps baseball complete set for $1,500. I thought the price was decent until I looked at the cards. The commons were nice but all of the stars had wear from frayed corners to major creasing. The Ryan rookie had frayed corners and some staining. No creases. The Mantle was phugly, way creased. The Bench rookie was a PSA 3, the only slabbed card in the set. Based on the condition of the stars, I just didn't see $1,500 in value there. Kurt looked at the set as well and agreed. We both offered $1,000 and each of us was turned down. I think the seller needs to upgrade his stars if he wants to get $1,500 for the set.
The next Rockford show conflicts with Orland on August 25 -- I'll be setting up in Orland that day. I'll be setting up in nearby Janesville, WI, on August 11. Please come see me in Janesville!!
Next up for me is a double-bill weekend with Madison on Saturday and Orland on Sunday. Outside of Oak Creek, the Madison and Orland shows are my top shows. Can't wait for next weekend! I'm bringing out all of the binders once again. I may bring out some of the cheapy boxes as well. New for next weekend is 1958 Topps football.
National Update
I have been working feverishly pricing cards for the National which is coming up on July 24 through July 28 in Cleveland. I am bringing all display cases out to the National. If you want to see any binders, let me know. Dave McDonald and I will be set up in booth number 1144.
Oak Creek
Gawd, what a great Oak Creek show on July 6! I'll be a little tired for the next one that is set for Aug. 3, the week after the National. Though, I will get energized if we have the same crowd in August that we had in July.
Random Question
Anyone ever go to or set up at the Cow Palace shows in San Francisco? I can't find any local shows for Labor Day weekend and I saw that there is a 400-table show at the Cow Palace. I checked the prices of flights from Chicago to SF and they are crazy cheap. Hotels are a little pricey out there and I don't know the costs of tables at the show yet. I would also need to rent some display cases... but I am mulling setting up at this show. I would appreciate any feedback. Anyone follow my blog that lives in SF?
Anyway, thanks for following along. See you soon!!
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