Friday July 30, 2021, Donald Stephens Center, Rosemont, IL
I think I needed an easy night after the first two days of the National. It was great to chill at home Thursday evening. I had a tough time falling asleep. I woke up well before my alarm clock. Grump went smoothly.
I was out of the house fairly early, around 8 a.m. I decided to hit the Chicago Bagel and Bialy Deli in Wheeling, Illinois, on my way into Rosemont. I picked up a couple of corned beef sandwiches for Dave and I.
Traffic was slow getting to Rosemont. I headed straight for the CTA lot this time, I did not want to fool with the crowds at the Convention Center parking garage. As I entered the show, I thought I might be late but was actually early. The other dealers were just starting to arrive. Scott, Jim and Danielle must of gotten there just before my arrival. I was surprised Dave was not there already.
As I removed the tarps from my display cases, folks were already coming around to take a look. One of the OBC guys who purchased cards on Thursday, purchased some more before I could take off both tarps. It sure was nice to have such an early sale.
I followed my routine of rearranging the display cases. They are always messed up at the end of the day. I like to have them nice and organized in the morning. My pal Tony Schaefer came by to check out our booth and started pulling cards. Tony regularly purchases cards when are set up at the same show and his purchases are greatly appreciated. We miss Tony at the Orland show. He has one of the best vintage inventories around. He is set up at the National in his usual spot near the Wallateria.
The crowds started to pour in while Tony was at the booth and he could not stay as he was called back to his booth to help out some customers. Fixing up my display cases was difficult with the rush of customers.
It was great to see Bruce from Milwaukee. He, like many others, was shell shocked at the enormity and the massive crowd at this year's National. Bruce purchased some 1967 Topps for his set. Thanks Bruce! Another guy, in from California, purchased my 1965 Topps Frank Robinson. He appreciated my price and said I was one of the most reasonable vintage dealers in the building.
Sales came fast and furious once again as an even larger crowd than Thursday filled up the Stephens Center. I was working it on Friday morning helping many people at once. I sold a graded 1915 Cracker Jack common to an older collector. A collector from Louisville swooped up my 1968 Mantle PSA 4. Another collector purchased my 1948 Leaf Luke Appling PSA 4.
I sold a bunch of T206 commons and a handful of T205 commons. One guy bought my 1941 Double Play Arky Vaughan. I also sold a large number of 1940 Play Ball cards to a collector who flew in from Salt Lake City. Another older collector purchased a bunch of 1950 Bowmans, including a Ralph Kiner. Another collector purchased my 1969 Topps Johnny Bench.
A younger collector who lives in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood purchased my 1953 Bowman Minnie Minoso. Another younger collector purchased my 1954 Tommy Lasorda. Another collector purchased my 1954 Johnston Cookies Warren Spahn, A father and son team from Nebraska purchased my 1953 Topps Yogi Berra. Another collector purchased a 1966 Topps Fergie Jenkins rookie.
I had one guy buy some cards and he was kind of looking at me side ways. Later he came back and asked a question and addressed me by name. Apparently he knows me but I do not have any recollection of him, which happens often because I set up at card shows most every weekend and regularly meet a large number of people. Please don't get offended if I forget your name... or forget ever meeting you. My memory is terrible and I am not intentionally trying to snub you. Many people at the National talk to me like they know me. I try to fake it in our conversations that I know them. Sometimes, the memory comes back and I might recall a previous conversation. It is just so hard to remember everyone but I do appreciate you all!
A collector working on the 1956 set purchased my '56 Don Zimmer. Another collector purchased a 1960 Topps Nellie Fox All Star. I sold my 1964 Topps Bob Gibson. I also sold a 1961 Topps Hank Aaron. I sold my 1965 Topps Pete Rose.
These are just the sales I remember. There were many, many more. Sales were strong in the morning. There seemed to be a noon lull then sales picked up in the afternoon. Overall it was quite a day. Better than Thursday. I am also close to doubling my sales total from the 2019 National.
During that noon lull, I took a walk and observed that they added dealer tables next to the autograph pavilion and pushed the Box Breakers back to another room. So this year's National had more dealer tables than any in recent memory.
Dave and I had been wondering about our friend Sandy, who made an appearance today. Sandy is a long-time customer of Dave's and a professor at the John Marshall Law School where I obtained my law degree. It is always great to see Sandy and I was glad he found us. The only other person I have been wondering about is Craig from Akron. Craig! Where are you? Stop by and say hello!
I gotta say something about the crowd. Wow! I did not think is was possible to draw a larger crowd than Thursday but that Friday crowd was just massive. I was a little annoyed when a line formed at Ebay's booth and stretched in front off our booth, blocking access to my little corner. I also cannot stand the Topps booth, pictured above. Year after year it is sooooo loud and annoying.
Another thing I would like to address is the bathroom near the eBay booth. Ugh! Gross! Why can't people flush the toilet? Also, dudes, wash your hands please! Don't touch your ding-a-ling then touch my cards! Is it that big of a deal to wash your hands after you go to the bathroom? Also, that bathroom needs some ventilation. It is hard to breath in there.
Quite a lot of attendees to the show are concerned about COVID. Seemed there were more folks wearing masks on Friday than on the previous days. I don't have a problem with folks wearing masks but it is hard to hear someone through their mask. As the Delta Variant cases spike, I should probably wear a mask as well but I just hate them. They are so uncomfortable but if the masks are mandated again, I will wear one. I hopeful I am protected with my Moderna vaccine that I received back in April.
I bought some cards today. Not a whole lot of stuff making its way to my table but I have been making some purchases each day. I picked up a Red Heart Nellie Fox today. I love the Red Hearts and have sold a bunch of them the past few days. It was nice to pick one up.
The air conditioning seemed to work better today than the previous days but I started to feel hot in the late afternoon. I noticed that my neighbor PWCC set up some fans. What is the deal with the AC? I don't recall there ever being an issue with the AC at the Stephens Center at previous shows.
I have been wanting to go to the casino after the show but was uncomfortable with the thought of going there with my pockets filled with cash and opted to head straight home after the show. I took my wife and kids to DQ and had a nice evening at home. Overall, Day 3 was absolutely tremendous. Woot!
I think I needed an easy night after the first two days of the National. It was great to chill at home Thursday evening. I had a tough time falling asleep. I woke up well before my alarm clock. Grump went smoothly.
I was out of the house fairly early, around 8 a.m. I decided to hit the Chicago Bagel and Bialy Deli in Wheeling, Illinois, on my way into Rosemont. I picked up a couple of corned beef sandwiches for Dave and I.
Traffic was slow getting to Rosemont. I headed straight for the CTA lot this time, I did not want to fool with the crowds at the Convention Center parking garage. As I entered the show, I thought I might be late but was actually early. The other dealers were just starting to arrive. Scott, Jim and Danielle must of gotten there just before my arrival. I was surprised Dave was not there already.
As I removed the tarps from my display cases, folks were already coming around to take a look. One of the OBC guys who purchased cards on Thursday, purchased some more before I could take off both tarps. It sure was nice to have such an early sale.
I followed my routine of rearranging the display cases. They are always messed up at the end of the day. I like to have them nice and organized in the morning. My pal Tony Schaefer came by to check out our booth and started pulling cards. Tony regularly purchases cards when are set up at the same show and his purchases are greatly appreciated. We miss Tony at the Orland show. He has one of the best vintage inventories around. He is set up at the National in his usual spot near the Wallateria.
The crowds started to pour in while Tony was at the booth and he could not stay as he was called back to his booth to help out some customers. Fixing up my display cases was difficult with the rush of customers.
It was great to see Bruce from Milwaukee. He, like many others, was shell shocked at the enormity and the massive crowd at this year's National. Bruce purchased some 1967 Topps for his set. Thanks Bruce! Another guy, in from California, purchased my 1965 Topps Frank Robinson. He appreciated my price and said I was one of the most reasonable vintage dealers in the building.
Sales came fast and furious once again as an even larger crowd than Thursday filled up the Stephens Center. I was working it on Friday morning helping many people at once. I sold a graded 1915 Cracker Jack common to an older collector. A collector from Louisville swooped up my 1968 Mantle PSA 4. Another collector purchased my 1948 Leaf Luke Appling PSA 4.
I sold a bunch of T206 commons and a handful of T205 commons. One guy bought my 1941 Double Play Arky Vaughan. I also sold a large number of 1940 Play Ball cards to a collector who flew in from Salt Lake City. Another older collector purchased a bunch of 1950 Bowmans, including a Ralph Kiner. Another collector purchased my 1969 Topps Johnny Bench.
A younger collector who lives in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood purchased my 1953 Bowman Minnie Minoso. Another younger collector purchased my 1954 Tommy Lasorda. Another collector purchased my 1954 Johnston Cookies Warren Spahn, A father and son team from Nebraska purchased my 1953 Topps Yogi Berra. Another collector purchased a 1966 Topps Fergie Jenkins rookie.
I had one guy buy some cards and he was kind of looking at me side ways. Later he came back and asked a question and addressed me by name. Apparently he knows me but I do not have any recollection of him, which happens often because I set up at card shows most every weekend and regularly meet a large number of people. Please don't get offended if I forget your name... or forget ever meeting you. My memory is terrible and I am not intentionally trying to snub you. Many people at the National talk to me like they know me. I try to fake it in our conversations that I know them. Sometimes, the memory comes back and I might recall a previous conversation. It is just so hard to remember everyone but I do appreciate you all!
A collector working on the 1956 set purchased my '56 Don Zimmer. Another collector purchased a 1960 Topps Nellie Fox All Star. I sold my 1964 Topps Bob Gibson. I also sold a 1961 Topps Hank Aaron. I sold my 1965 Topps Pete Rose.
These are just the sales I remember. There were many, many more. Sales were strong in the morning. There seemed to be a noon lull then sales picked up in the afternoon. Overall it was quite a day. Better than Thursday. I am also close to doubling my sales total from the 2019 National.
During that noon lull, I took a walk and observed that they added dealer tables next to the autograph pavilion and pushed the Box Breakers back to another room. So this year's National had more dealer tables than any in recent memory.
Dave and I had been wondering about our friend Sandy, who made an appearance today. Sandy is a long-time customer of Dave's and a professor at the John Marshall Law School where I obtained my law degree. It is always great to see Sandy and I was glad he found us. The only other person I have been wondering about is Craig from Akron. Craig! Where are you? Stop by and say hello!
I gotta say something about the crowd. Wow! I did not think is was possible to draw a larger crowd than Thursday but that Friday crowd was just massive. I was a little annoyed when a line formed at Ebay's booth and stretched in front off our booth, blocking access to my little corner. I also cannot stand the Topps booth, pictured above. Year after year it is sooooo loud and annoying.
Another thing I would like to address is the bathroom near the eBay booth. Ugh! Gross! Why can't people flush the toilet? Also, dudes, wash your hands please! Don't touch your ding-a-ling then touch my cards! Is it that big of a deal to wash your hands after you go to the bathroom? Also, that bathroom needs some ventilation. It is hard to breath in there.
Quite a lot of attendees to the show are concerned about COVID. Seemed there were more folks wearing masks on Friday than on the previous days. I don't have a problem with folks wearing masks but it is hard to hear someone through their mask. As the Delta Variant cases spike, I should probably wear a mask as well but I just hate them. They are so uncomfortable but if the masks are mandated again, I will wear one. I hopeful I am protected with my Moderna vaccine that I received back in April.
I bought some cards today. Not a whole lot of stuff making its way to my table but I have been making some purchases each day. I picked up a Red Heart Nellie Fox today. I love the Red Hearts and have sold a bunch of them the past few days. It was nice to pick one up.
The air conditioning seemed to work better today than the previous days but I started to feel hot in the late afternoon. I noticed that my neighbor PWCC set up some fans. What is the deal with the AC? I don't recall there ever being an issue with the AC at the Stephens Center at previous shows.
I have been wanting to go to the casino after the show but was uncomfortable with the thought of going there with my pockets filled with cash and opted to head straight home after the show. I took my wife and kids to DQ and had a nice evening at home. Overall, Day 3 was absolutely tremendous. Woot!
Pictured above is the stupid bar the RES placed next to our space, cutting our usual space in half.
Pictured here are the crowds across from our booth. Check out the two dudes in the middle with the man bun hair on top and shaved on the sides. I saw this hairdo all week. I'm guessing this is the latest trend for young dudes.
Pictured here are the crowds at the dealer booths next to the autographs and breakers. This area is new for 2021. It was jammed in there! It was hard to walk around.
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