Sunday, May 27, 2012, Indian Lakes Resort, Bloomingdale, IL -- So I had this really bizarre dream last night. In the dream, my family was living in a large apartment somewhere in the city. On this particular day, I woke up, got ready for work but for some reason, I was unable to make may way to the office. The car wouldn't start so I went to the bus stop but the bus never came. I ran into someone I knew, we went back to my apartment and my wife brewed up some coffee. We sat around. Slowly more and more people started to come over. Eventually, the apartment was wall to wall people. At some point, David Spade (Joe Dirt) joined the party. People started to get rowdy and the apartment suffered a thrashing. So I started kicking people out. The first guy I tossed out was David Spade. Then the throngs of people remaining simply ignored my efforts to get them to leave. I called the police. I woke up and got ready for the card show. I need a psychoanalyst to explain the meaning of this dream.
Anyway, today's baseball card destination is Bloomingdale. I can't remember the last time I was at Bloomingdale. Seems like ages ago. Bloomingdale is not particularly close to my house. It took me about 45 minutes to get there, though I did stop for an Egg McMuffin and some coffee. When I arrived around 8:15 a.m., all the other dealers were already there and most were even set up. There were even some customers already in the room. The show starts at 9 a.m. Didn't anyone else have a weird dream and need to stop off for sustenance and coffee? Seems like I'm always the last to arrive and last to leave.
Anyway, I ran into my friend Larry in the parking lot. I've known Larry for a long time. Like me, he loves vintage cards. He's always coming up with stuff I've never seen before. Years ago, he brought me a 1930's era Wheaties card, which was the first time I had seen one of those. I have been hooked ever since. These cards are oversized and cut from the back of a Wheaties cereal box. All the greats from the Depression era are in the sets like Lou Gehrig, Mel Ott, and Jimmy Foxx. The best thing about the Wheaties cards is that they're the most affordable cards from the era. You can find a Rogers Hornsby, that wasn't cut very well, for 15 to 20 bucks, unlike his Goudey card, which even creased up is tough to find for under $100.
Larry was kind enough to help me load in, which was much appreciated. Sales began shortly after I began to set up, so I didn't finish setting up until 9:30. Corky bought some 57 and 58 Cubs. Larry and I did a cash and trade deal where I picked up some really cool Mecca Double Folders and a 1956 Topps Jackie Robinson in exchange for a pile of '53 Bowman colors. A new customer pulled some packs out of my 25-cent bin. Another new customer purchased a 1973 All-Time Home Run Leaders card. A gentleman, who I met a few weeks ago at Wolff's, purchased a pile of stuff including some 1973 and 1974 Topps football. A new customer pulled a large pile of cards from my 1968 binder. A regular picked up some '54 Bowman commons and some some '69-70 Topps basketball. Another regular, who I first met at the Easter show in Hoffman Estates and who has quickly become one of my best customers, purchased some 1971s, 1972s, 1952s and 1977 baseball, along with a 1959 Topps Willie Mays. Another regular purchased some 1977 Topps football. To cap off an excellent day, Willie picked up some 1954 Bowmans to send out for autographs. I tried to write everything down as people were paying for cards but I had a crowd around noon and I'm sure I forgot some things.
On the buying front, I purchased a pile of 1970s Cubs from Ted. I also made a nice buy on some 1955s, 1965s, 1975s, 1960s baseball and some 1981 and 1986 football. Though, my favorite purchase of the day was a large pile of autographs from Willie. Buying autographs is tricky. It's much too easy to buy a fake. Willie is one of the few autograph dealers that I trust. Willie loves autos as much as I love vintage cards. He does autos 24/7 and is the most knowledgeable person I know when it comes to autos. I picked up some COOL stuff today. Most of the autos are on images cut from old newspapers and sports magazines. The photos of the ball players are unique. I picked up a variety of guys like Richie Ashburn, Yogi Berra, Bob Feller, Rocky Colavito, Joe Pepitone, Al Kaline, Harmon Killebrew, Whitey Ford, Stan Musial, Orlando Cepeda, Mike Shannon, Herb Score, Jungle Jim Rivera, Early Wynn, Ernie Banks and Fergie Jenkins. I was originally thinking that I'd give them to my wife to put up on eBay but they're just too cool. I don't know if I can part with them. I may sell a few of them, like Yogi Berra because I already have several Yogi autos. But others, like Andy Pafko, who I have multiples of, are on such unique photos that I want to keep them. My autograph collection just got a serious upgrade!!
Overall, a terrific day!! I couldn't be happier!! My sales far exceeded expectations and I picked up some great stuff. This was one of my best Bloomingdale shows to date. I can't wait until my next show in Bloomingdale on June 24. Oh, and thanks to Corky, who pranked me with some 1960s Philadelphia football cards. He offered to sell me a few cards. I took the cards, looked at them and observed that they were in beyond horrible condition. I gave them back to Corky, who held them up and tore them in half and laughed while he said "I just wanted to see your expression when I tore them up." That was pretty funny.
Next week, I'm driving down to St. Louis for the Two Hearts Show. Willie Wilson will be signing autos. I haven't been to Two Hearts since November and am looking forward to the show. The Two Hearts Show is excellent. I'd be a regular if it was closer to home. That six-hour drive is killer. Though I get to hang out with my buddy Andy along with Tony Schaefer from Monster Cards. If Sunday's show goes well, I may head back down for the July show. I finished reloading '54 Bowman baseball and '62 Topps football last week. I started on '55 Topps baseball and may also get '55 Bowman baseball done for Sunday's show. I'm looking forward to another excellent show!
A big thank you to everyone who came out Sunday to Bloomingdale. I really appreciate you!! I always get energized after a good show like that and will have a sorting and pricing frenzy all week long in preparation for my next show. I know I have some regulars reading my blog down in beautiful St. Louis and I hope to see another great crowd at Two Hearts!! Cheers!!!
Anyway, today's baseball card destination is Bloomingdale. I can't remember the last time I was at Bloomingdale. Seems like ages ago. Bloomingdale is not particularly close to my house. It took me about 45 minutes to get there, though I did stop for an Egg McMuffin and some coffee. When I arrived around 8:15 a.m., all the other dealers were already there and most were even set up. There were even some customers already in the room. The show starts at 9 a.m. Didn't anyone else have a weird dream and need to stop off for sustenance and coffee? Seems like I'm always the last to arrive and last to leave.
Anyway, I ran into my friend Larry in the parking lot. I've known Larry for a long time. Like me, he loves vintage cards. He's always coming up with stuff I've never seen before. Years ago, he brought me a 1930's era Wheaties card, which was the first time I had seen one of those. I have been hooked ever since. These cards are oversized and cut from the back of a Wheaties cereal box. All the greats from the Depression era are in the sets like Lou Gehrig, Mel Ott, and Jimmy Foxx. The best thing about the Wheaties cards is that they're the most affordable cards from the era. You can find a Rogers Hornsby, that wasn't cut very well, for 15 to 20 bucks, unlike his Goudey card, which even creased up is tough to find for under $100.
Larry was kind enough to help me load in, which was much appreciated. Sales began shortly after I began to set up, so I didn't finish setting up until 9:30. Corky bought some 57 and 58 Cubs. Larry and I did a cash and trade deal where I picked up some really cool Mecca Double Folders and a 1956 Topps Jackie Robinson in exchange for a pile of '53 Bowman colors. A new customer pulled some packs out of my 25-cent bin. Another new customer purchased a 1973 All-Time Home Run Leaders card. A gentleman, who I met a few weeks ago at Wolff's, purchased a pile of stuff including some 1973 and 1974 Topps football. A new customer pulled a large pile of cards from my 1968 binder. A regular picked up some '54 Bowman commons and some some '69-70 Topps basketball. Another regular, who I first met at the Easter show in Hoffman Estates and who has quickly become one of my best customers, purchased some 1971s, 1972s, 1952s and 1977 baseball, along with a 1959 Topps Willie Mays. Another regular purchased some 1977 Topps football. To cap off an excellent day, Willie picked up some 1954 Bowmans to send out for autographs. I tried to write everything down as people were paying for cards but I had a crowd around noon and I'm sure I forgot some things.
On the buying front, I purchased a pile of 1970s Cubs from Ted. I also made a nice buy on some 1955s, 1965s, 1975s, 1960s baseball and some 1981 and 1986 football. Though, my favorite purchase of the day was a large pile of autographs from Willie. Buying autographs is tricky. It's much too easy to buy a fake. Willie is one of the few autograph dealers that I trust. Willie loves autos as much as I love vintage cards. He does autos 24/7 and is the most knowledgeable person I know when it comes to autos. I picked up some COOL stuff today. Most of the autos are on images cut from old newspapers and sports magazines. The photos of the ball players are unique. I picked up a variety of guys like Richie Ashburn, Yogi Berra, Bob Feller, Rocky Colavito, Joe Pepitone, Al Kaline, Harmon Killebrew, Whitey Ford, Stan Musial, Orlando Cepeda, Mike Shannon, Herb Score, Jungle Jim Rivera, Early Wynn, Ernie Banks and Fergie Jenkins. I was originally thinking that I'd give them to my wife to put up on eBay but they're just too cool. I don't know if I can part with them. I may sell a few of them, like Yogi Berra because I already have several Yogi autos. But others, like Andy Pafko, who I have multiples of, are on such unique photos that I want to keep them. My autograph collection just got a serious upgrade!!
Overall, a terrific day!! I couldn't be happier!! My sales far exceeded expectations and I picked up some great stuff. This was one of my best Bloomingdale shows to date. I can't wait until my next show in Bloomingdale on June 24. Oh, and thanks to Corky, who pranked me with some 1960s Philadelphia football cards. He offered to sell me a few cards. I took the cards, looked at them and observed that they were in beyond horrible condition. I gave them back to Corky, who held them up and tore them in half and laughed while he said "I just wanted to see your expression when I tore them up." That was pretty funny.
Next week, I'm driving down to St. Louis for the Two Hearts Show. Willie Wilson will be signing autos. I haven't been to Two Hearts since November and am looking forward to the show. The Two Hearts Show is excellent. I'd be a regular if it was closer to home. That six-hour drive is killer. Though I get to hang out with my buddy Andy along with Tony Schaefer from Monster Cards. If Sunday's show goes well, I may head back down for the July show. I finished reloading '54 Bowman baseball and '62 Topps football last week. I started on '55 Topps baseball and may also get '55 Bowman baseball done for Sunday's show. I'm looking forward to another excellent show!
A big thank you to everyone who came out Sunday to Bloomingdale. I really appreciate you!! I always get energized after a good show like that and will have a sorting and pricing frenzy all week long in preparation for my next show. I know I have some regulars reading my blog down in beautiful St. Louis and I hope to see another great crowd at Two Hearts!! Cheers!!!
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