I have set up at two shows and a flea market since my last blog from July 13. The first show was on July 20 at the Hyatt Place Hotel in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite shows with a terrific group of dealers, new customers at each show, and great regulars like Larry and Randy. Larry and I always do a cash and trade deal where I regularly pick up some great cards. I got some 1948 Bowman Basketball on this afternoon. Randy works on vintage post-war sets and always finds some cards at my tables. Then there is Bill, who I saw in June at the Wilmot flea market and convinced him to come out to Hoffman Estates where we did a nice cash and trade deal. Bill took all of my Post cereal cards. Then there is Willie, the best autograph dealer in the country, who always picks up some cards from my tables to send out for graphs. Fred, the promoter, always has some nice vintage on his tables. I usually pick something up from Fred before the day ends. I went home with some cash in my pocket and loads of new inventory. A successful day.
The following week on July 27, I was set up in Orland. Thankfully there was no rain this time. Though, early on it seemed like some force of nature was keeping customers away. I had nothing but a few flies in front of my table early on. By late morning, the show picked up and we had a nice crowd in the room. Unfortunately, it was largely a crowd of window shoppers. I was saved from ruin by my regulars Will, Joe, Rick, Dave, Paul, Dan, and Gil. Thanks guys! I also picked up a bunch of cards. I was smart this time and brought an empty box to carry home my new vintage inventory.
On the first weekend of August, I had a double dose of the Wisconsin-Illinois border. On Saturday, I took the wife and kids to the Bristol Renaissance Faire (King Richard's Faire for you oldtimers). I've been going to this thing for most of my life. I really like the food. I dined on sauteed mushrooms, roasted cinnamon walnuts, and hummus. They had more substantial food available but I can't eat hearty meals in the heat. For some reason, it is always hot when I go to this thing. My kids like all the rides. So I munched on food while the kids went on the rides. At the end of the day, I bought my son a wooden dagger. They called it an elf sword but it looked more like a dagger to me. We all had a good time.
On that Sunday, August 3, I set up at the Wilmot Mountain Flea Market in beautiful Wilmot, Wisconsin. This was my second appearance at this flea market this summer. I ended up in the same row as last time in June. This time I was wise and brought out a tent which was much needed because it got sunny and hot. I don't bring a huge inventory of cards to the flea market because I don't want them to bake in the heat and sun. In addition to cards, I bring out a lot of junk from the house and other wholesale items I've picked up over the years like costume jewelry and sunglasses.
My day got off to a great start when Andy and his son showed up bright and early. Andy is visiting from Florida. I get to see Andy every summer. He's become a good friend and is always a pleasure to hang out with. Andy was able to find some cards in my dime box, 50-cent box and Cubs/Sox box. While Andy was at my table, the guy who bought all my sets from the 1980s in June showed up and bought four boxes of unopened 1980s wax. I only bring the wax out to the flea market because it doesn't sell at the card shows. It sure was nice dumping off those boxes of 1987 Topps and 1989 Fleer.
I had a few autograph hounds spend some time at my booth picking out cards to send for graphs. My regular Wilmot customer who buys old basketball cards was there and she picked up a nice group. Bill was there again and we ended up doing a nice trade. I sold a bunch of other junk like stuffed animals, children's books, DVDs, children's clothes and some toys. I love the flea market! It's great to get money for some of this stuff that my wife wants to throw out. I really enjoyed my day. I passed out quite a few fliers for my Sept. 13 card show in Milwaukee. I'm hopeful that I see some of these folks at the show.
Up next is a double-bill weekend with Orland on Saturday (August 9) and Gonzaga on Sunday (August 10). I've recently loaded up 1961 Topps baseball, 1971-72 Topps Hockey, and 1974-75 Topps basketball. I'm working on 1962 Topps baseball and will have that binder ready for Orland. I hope to price some cards for my display cases but I'm not sure if I'll get the time. I'm looking forward to seeing everybody this weekend. It's another baseball card mania weekend for me and I hope it will be for you!!
The following week on July 27, I was set up in Orland. Thankfully there was no rain this time. Though, early on it seemed like some force of nature was keeping customers away. I had nothing but a few flies in front of my table early on. By late morning, the show picked up and we had a nice crowd in the room. Unfortunately, it was largely a crowd of window shoppers. I was saved from ruin by my regulars Will, Joe, Rick, Dave, Paul, Dan, and Gil. Thanks guys! I also picked up a bunch of cards. I was smart this time and brought an empty box to carry home my new vintage inventory.
On the first weekend of August, I had a double dose of the Wisconsin-Illinois border. On Saturday, I took the wife and kids to the Bristol Renaissance Faire (King Richard's Faire for you oldtimers). I've been going to this thing for most of my life. I really like the food. I dined on sauteed mushrooms, roasted cinnamon walnuts, and hummus. They had more substantial food available but I can't eat hearty meals in the heat. For some reason, it is always hot when I go to this thing. My kids like all the rides. So I munched on food while the kids went on the rides. At the end of the day, I bought my son a wooden dagger. They called it an elf sword but it looked more like a dagger to me. We all had a good time.
On that Sunday, August 3, I set up at the Wilmot Mountain Flea Market in beautiful Wilmot, Wisconsin. This was my second appearance at this flea market this summer. I ended up in the same row as last time in June. This time I was wise and brought out a tent which was much needed because it got sunny and hot. I don't bring a huge inventory of cards to the flea market because I don't want them to bake in the heat and sun. In addition to cards, I bring out a lot of junk from the house and other wholesale items I've picked up over the years like costume jewelry and sunglasses.
My day got off to a great start when Andy and his son showed up bright and early. Andy is visiting from Florida. I get to see Andy every summer. He's become a good friend and is always a pleasure to hang out with. Andy was able to find some cards in my dime box, 50-cent box and Cubs/Sox box. While Andy was at my table, the guy who bought all my sets from the 1980s in June showed up and bought four boxes of unopened 1980s wax. I only bring the wax out to the flea market because it doesn't sell at the card shows. It sure was nice dumping off those boxes of 1987 Topps and 1989 Fleer.
I had a few autograph hounds spend some time at my booth picking out cards to send for graphs. My regular Wilmot customer who buys old basketball cards was there and she picked up a nice group. Bill was there again and we ended up doing a nice trade. I sold a bunch of other junk like stuffed animals, children's books, DVDs, children's clothes and some toys. I love the flea market! It's great to get money for some of this stuff that my wife wants to throw out. I really enjoyed my day. I passed out quite a few fliers for my Sept. 13 card show in Milwaukee. I'm hopeful that I see some of these folks at the show.
Up next is a double-bill weekend with Orland on Saturday (August 9) and Gonzaga on Sunday (August 10). I've recently loaded up 1961 Topps baseball, 1971-72 Topps Hockey, and 1974-75 Topps basketball. I'm working on 1962 Topps baseball and will have that binder ready for Orland. I hope to price some cards for my display cases but I'm not sure if I'll get the time. I'm looking forward to seeing everybody this weekend. It's another baseball card mania weekend for me and I hope it will be for you!!
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