Saturday, May 31, 2025, IBEW Local 364, Rockford, IL
Man, am I glad to see the end of May! One word describes May -- SLOW. My set builders seemed to disappear this month. While the Rockford show had a really nice crowd, my set builders did not attend. Few vintage set builders translates into few sales for me.
I had been chugging along nicely this year but starting with the May Oak Creek show, my sales have suffered every single weekend.
There was some really nice vintage in the room in Rockford this past Saturday. There was one dealer on the back wall, who I have never seen before, and he had some great vintage. Big Mark from Iowa was also set up back there and he always has some tremendous vintage.
Speaking of great vintage dealers, a shout out to my vintage buddy Tom Mularz, who was my neighbor in Rockford this past Saturday. I really enjoyed hanging out with Tom, who always has great cards and memorabilia along with terrific stories. I really enjoy his tales from working as an Andy Frain usher at Wrigley Field in his youth.
With nothing doing at my tables, I just watched Tom sell cards and tell tales. I was impressed with a little kid, maybe 10 years old, who had his eye on Tom's 1956 Topps Ted Williams. The kid had price graphs and charts on his phone and was a pro negotiating the price with Tom. Kids these days are so much smarter than in my day.
Anyway, even with slow sales, I did enjoy myself. Though, I was really surprised that my sales were down because last time I was set up in Rockford there seemed to be a lot more vintage collectors in attendance. Also, last time, there was a lot more vintage walking into the show. I did not buy anything this time around. I hate when I don't buy anything.
Oh well, there is always another show.
I am setting up at the next Rockford show on June 29. I should have my 1961 Topps baseball binder reloaded by then. Hey, all you vintage set builders and collectors come on out to Rockford on June 29!! I will have some good stuff and there are always several other dealers with great vintage.
Flea Market Sunday
On Sunday, my son and I trekked out to Wilmot, Wisconsin, for the Wilmot Flea Market. While I love setting up at the flea market, one major drawback is waking up before sunrise.
I immediately hit the snooze when my alarm went off at 4 a.m. It took me a good 45 minutes to get out of bed. Good thing I packed the car after Rockford. We still made it to Wilmot by 6 a.m. and received a really good spot and had a ton of space.
I have a completely different set up at the flea market than the one I have at card shows. I brought out unopened wax from the late 1980's through 2020. I sell single packs and unopened boxes.
I brought out my hockey binders on a request from my buddy Bill. I also brought out some late 1980's - early 1990's complete sets. I sold a 1988 Topps complete set. Woot! I also had some publications, old baseball gloves, toys, clothes, CDs, DVDs, VHS, stuffed animals, jewelry and assorted bric-a-brac. Kolby brought out his Funko-Pops.
We did not get rich but we sold some stuff and had a nice day. The weather was absolutely perfect. There was a steady flow of customers.
The best part of the Wilmot Flea Market is that I always see a bunch of people I know. J.R. was set up in his usual spot near the restrooms. Frank and his wife stopped by. I saw Dobie Maxwell. Donny stopped by as well. Then there were a few guys I regularly see at the card shows, whose names escape me.
I'd like to talk a little bit about Donny -- a unique character, who I met years ago at the old Fred Copp shows. Donny collects jerseys and publications. He is a huge old-time ABA fan along with being a Dodgers fan but hockey is his sweet spot. Donny is a major hockey fan. He regularly goes to the big card show in Toronto every April in search of hockey jerseys and WHA items.
Sunday at the Wilmot Flea Market, Donny was telling me some great stories. I'd like to share one tale that starts maybe 20 years ago while Donny was attending Chicago Wolves hockey games.
Donny got to know some Wolves players and staffers back in the day. Donny is really personable and extremely knowledgeable on all things hockey.
Back in the early 2000's, Donny was collecting videos of hockey fights. Apparently, he has a legendary collection of hockey fights on video. Word of Donny's collection got out to former NHL enforcer Darcy Hordichuck, who had a brief stint with the Wolves.
Donny said that one day while he was sitting at home, his phone rang and it was Darcy Hordichuck on the line. Donny thinks that someone from the Wolves gave Darcy his phone number.
Anyway, Darcy wanted to view Donny's collection of hockey fights featuring current players. So, Donny and Darcy met up and Darcy studied all of Donny's hockey fight videos to give himself an edge on future fights on the ice. The videos helped Darcy whoop some ass. As a result, Donny and Darcy became great friends, a friendship that continues to this day, long after Darcy retired from the Edmonton Oilers in 2013.
Donny told me that Darcy flew him out to Phoenix last week, where Darcy currently lives with his wife and kids. They hung out all week in Phoenix. Darcy showed off his sports card collection and asked Donny to sell it for him.
Low and behold, Donny brings me Darcy Hordichuck's sports card collection while I was sitting under the trees at the Wilmot Flea Market on Sunday. How cool is that! I ended up purchasing a stack of cards including a 1959 Topps Ernie Banks. Thanks Donny!
I ended up having a really nice day in Wilmot and may set up again next weekend... if I can wake up.
Next up is Oak Creek on Saturday, June 7, 2025. I will probably be set up on the stage in the Chapel. I have two binders of 1969 Topps baseball ready to go. I may have a new binder of 1960 Topps baseball but am not sure if I will get it done by Saturday.
As a special treat, Donny is setting up with Anthony Georgetta in the Chapel Saturday in Oak Creek with the remainder of Darcy Hordichuck's sports card collection for sale!! Come check it out!!
Below is a photo from the Rockford show on Saturday. Really great crowd.
Man, am I glad to see the end of May! One word describes May -- SLOW. My set builders seemed to disappear this month. While the Rockford show had a really nice crowd, my set builders did not attend. Few vintage set builders translates into few sales for me.
I had been chugging along nicely this year but starting with the May Oak Creek show, my sales have suffered every single weekend.
There was some really nice vintage in the room in Rockford this past Saturday. There was one dealer on the back wall, who I have never seen before, and he had some great vintage. Big Mark from Iowa was also set up back there and he always has some tremendous vintage.
Speaking of great vintage dealers, a shout out to my vintage buddy Tom Mularz, who was my neighbor in Rockford this past Saturday. I really enjoyed hanging out with Tom, who always has great cards and memorabilia along with terrific stories. I really enjoy his tales from working as an Andy Frain usher at Wrigley Field in his youth.
With nothing doing at my tables, I just watched Tom sell cards and tell tales. I was impressed with a little kid, maybe 10 years old, who had his eye on Tom's 1956 Topps Ted Williams. The kid had price graphs and charts on his phone and was a pro negotiating the price with Tom. Kids these days are so much smarter than in my day.
Anyway, even with slow sales, I did enjoy myself. Though, I was really surprised that my sales were down because last time I was set up in Rockford there seemed to be a lot more vintage collectors in attendance. Also, last time, there was a lot more vintage walking into the show. I did not buy anything this time around. I hate when I don't buy anything.
Oh well, there is always another show.
I am setting up at the next Rockford show on June 29. I should have my 1961 Topps baseball binder reloaded by then. Hey, all you vintage set builders and collectors come on out to Rockford on June 29!! I will have some good stuff and there are always several other dealers with great vintage.
Flea Market Sunday
On Sunday, my son and I trekked out to Wilmot, Wisconsin, for the Wilmot Flea Market. While I love setting up at the flea market, one major drawback is waking up before sunrise.
I immediately hit the snooze when my alarm went off at 4 a.m. It took me a good 45 minutes to get out of bed. Good thing I packed the car after Rockford. We still made it to Wilmot by 6 a.m. and received a really good spot and had a ton of space.
I have a completely different set up at the flea market than the one I have at card shows. I brought out unopened wax from the late 1980's through 2020. I sell single packs and unopened boxes.
I brought out my hockey binders on a request from my buddy Bill. I also brought out some late 1980's - early 1990's complete sets. I sold a 1988 Topps complete set. Woot! I also had some publications, old baseball gloves, toys, clothes, CDs, DVDs, VHS, stuffed animals, jewelry and assorted bric-a-brac. Kolby brought out his Funko-Pops.
We did not get rich but we sold some stuff and had a nice day. The weather was absolutely perfect. There was a steady flow of customers.
The best part of the Wilmot Flea Market is that I always see a bunch of people I know. J.R. was set up in his usual spot near the restrooms. Frank and his wife stopped by. I saw Dobie Maxwell. Donny stopped by as well. Then there were a few guys I regularly see at the card shows, whose names escape me.
I'd like to talk a little bit about Donny -- a unique character, who I met years ago at the old Fred Copp shows. Donny collects jerseys and publications. He is a huge old-time ABA fan along with being a Dodgers fan but hockey is his sweet spot. Donny is a major hockey fan. He regularly goes to the big card show in Toronto every April in search of hockey jerseys and WHA items.
Sunday at the Wilmot Flea Market, Donny was telling me some great stories. I'd like to share one tale that starts maybe 20 years ago while Donny was attending Chicago Wolves hockey games.
Donny got to know some Wolves players and staffers back in the day. Donny is really personable and extremely knowledgeable on all things hockey.
Back in the early 2000's, Donny was collecting videos of hockey fights. Apparently, he has a legendary collection of hockey fights on video. Word of Donny's collection got out to former NHL enforcer Darcy Hordichuck, who had a brief stint with the Wolves.
Donny said that one day while he was sitting at home, his phone rang and it was Darcy Hordichuck on the line. Donny thinks that someone from the Wolves gave Darcy his phone number.
Anyway, Darcy wanted to view Donny's collection of hockey fights featuring current players. So, Donny and Darcy met up and Darcy studied all of Donny's hockey fight videos to give himself an edge on future fights on the ice. The videos helped Darcy whoop some ass. As a result, Donny and Darcy became great friends, a friendship that continues to this day, long after Darcy retired from the Edmonton Oilers in 2013.
Donny told me that Darcy flew him out to Phoenix last week, where Darcy currently lives with his wife and kids. They hung out all week in Phoenix. Darcy showed off his sports card collection and asked Donny to sell it for him.
Low and behold, Donny brings me Darcy Hordichuck's sports card collection while I was sitting under the trees at the Wilmot Flea Market on Sunday. How cool is that! I ended up purchasing a stack of cards including a 1959 Topps Ernie Banks. Thanks Donny!
I ended up having a really nice day in Wilmot and may set up again next weekend... if I can wake up.
Next up is Oak Creek on Saturday, June 7, 2025. I will probably be set up on the stage in the Chapel. I have two binders of 1969 Topps baseball ready to go. I may have a new binder of 1960 Topps baseball but am not sure if I will get it done by Saturday.
As a special treat, Donny is setting up with Anthony Georgetta in the Chapel Saturday in Oak Creek with the remainder of Darcy Hordichuck's sports card collection for sale!! Come check it out!!
Below is a photo from the Rockford show on Saturday. Really great crowd.
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