Sunday, February 26, 2023, Civic Center, Orland Park, IL
I had a rough week prior to the show. My son brought home some sort of sickness from school, which I, of course, acquired. I missed a few days of work. I had to hustle on Saturday to finish loading up my '52 Topps and '61 Post. Got it done and wanted to load up my car but there have been so many car break ins in my neighborhood that I am afraid now to load the car on the night before the show.
I was ready to pass out after I loaded the car up in the morning. I somehow showered, made it out of the house and arrived in Orland around 8 a.m. There was a large number of cars already in the parking lot.
Load in and set up were pretty easy. I brought out all of my binders and three display cases. I overestimated my space and did not have enough room to place out any of the basketball binders.
After set up, I slumped into a chair and waited for my pals Will and Joe to arrive with Mickey D's. Oh, I needed sustenance and felt so much better after that fine meal and caffeination.
Nice crowd once again. This is one of the best-run shows around. These folks do such an excellent job promoting the show. They also treat me like family and I appreciate them so much!
Another reason I absolutely love this show is that there are always a large number of vintage dealers, which in turn, brings out a large number of vintage collectors. Superstar vintage dealers "The Other Tony" and Kevin F. were set up, and it is always great to see those guys. Kevin is setting up in Oak Creek. I'd love to get Tony up there some day. I saw vintage dealer Tom Mularz, also a superstar. It is always great to talk with Tom, who like Kevin, is setting up in Oak Creek next week.
Another superstar vintage dealer Jim C. had the '71 Brock I needed for my set. I thought I had the set completed with my recent acquisition of a Clemente but went through it once again and saw that I was missing the Brock. Jim C. will be in Oak Creek, like the others.
My neighbor Terry purchased some cards then sent a guy selling slabbed '58 Mantle and Aaron All Stars my way. We made a deal and I appreciate the assist from Terry.
Terry had a lot of tax questions for me. Tax law is not my forte. I hire an accountant like everyone else to deal with my taxes. Now, if you need a divorce, need to reduce your child support payments, get a traffic ticket, DUI, or have a traffic accident, then I'm your guy! I also do landlord/tenant law, contract disputes and a host of other areas but I stay away from taxes.
After talking to Terry about taxes, the flood gates opened, and I was busy all day long. My first customer of the day was Pat Quinn. I love Mr. Quinn and his old partner Roger, who I also saw walking the show. They don't remember me but I met them when I was 12 years old and went to their card shop on the Southwest Side of Chicago. That was 44 years ago!
There are a few of us at the Orland show, now in our mid-fifties, who went to the old Sports Collectors shop as kids. My pal Paul P. and I always reminisce about those days. Speaking of Paul, haven't seen him in a while. Mr. Paul, hope you can make one of the March Orland shows!
Mr. Quinn purchased a 1968 Globetrotters program. He seems to be into publications these days. Back when I first started setting up in Orland, about 22 years ago now, he used to bring me the greatest vintage oddball cards like 1960 Topps Tattoos and sell them to me for a song. I miss those days!
Next up was my pal Mike, a regular reader of this blog. Thanks Mike! In most of my Orland blogs I note that the vintage crowd generally stops at Record Store Steve's table first, then Jim, the Terry, then me. Mike told me he is doing it in reverse and started with me first! Awesome! Mike purchased some 1952 Topps among others which was much appreciated.
So I was able to jot down Pat and Mike's purchases and mistakenly thought I could take notes all day long but I quickly became overwhelmed with customers and abandoned my notes. Let's see what I can remember....
I sold quite a few publications. My old pal Chris T. purchased some 1961 Post, among others. Chris is one of the most knowledgeable card guys I know. I've learned a lot from him over the years. Lately, we have been talking about the Fleer football cards from the 1970's. Chris distinctly remembers purchasing packs back then. He even remembers the texture of the gum! I, on the other hand, have no recollection of these cards. As you know, I was at the corner pharmacy buying cards all the time in those days. I remember buying the oversized Fleer all-time greats baseball and football cards but do not remember these particular football cards.
The Fleer football consists of random action shots. As Chris pointed out, Fleer used the same photo on multiple years. I have purchased quite a few of them from Chris over the years. I always appreciate talking to Chris and learning something new.
My pal Eddie came by and purchased a pile of graded cards, including my 1956 Topps Ted Williams. Eddie was today's big winner. Thanks buddy! Then there was the father and son team who purchased a pile of stuff. The son was wearing a cool old Bill Buckner Cubs jersey. Dad was wearing what I think was a Bill Terry New York Giants jersey. Another customer I really like is Mike D., who purchased a bunch of cards. Thanks Mike! Mike is also an accountant. I had Mike's business card and passed it along to Terry.
So, like I said, it was a mob scene at my tables most of the day. I had guys sitting in front and back of the tables! I sold a ton of cards! I ended up having an excellent day, as usual. The Orland show rocks!
My pal Willie S. made an appearance. Back in the day, I used to see Willie every week but these days I only see him a couple of times a year. It was great to catch up. He also purchased a bunch of cards. Thanks Willie!
On the buying front, it was one of my best buying shows in Orland in a long while. I picked up my usual group from Junior, including a 1968 Topps Stand-Up Joe Namath. I picked up that slabbed Aaron and Mantle, mentioned earlier. Then I purchased a nice pile of early 1970's basketball with commons and stars. The seller said he will have more for me soon! Awesome!
Will, Joe and I capped off the day at the sub shop. I had an Italian beef sandwich. It was a little dry and not enough peppers for my liking. I was surprised, I thought they made a better beef at the sub shop. For those followers that live outside of Chicago, an Italian beef sandwich is a Chicago staple and consists of seasoned roast beef on a fresh Italian roll. You can ask for the sandwich to be topped off with giardiniera, which is pickled, spiced peppers and veggies in olive oil. You can also ask for sweet peppers (roasted peppers) or both. I went with the sweet peppers because, even though I love it, giardiniera sometimes upsets my stomach. You can also ask for the sandwich to be wet/dipped in au jus or dry. I went with dry because it is easier to eat but I like that meat to have some au jus.
As a side note, the best beef place in the Chicago area is Johnnie's in Elmwood Park, which is just a few miles east Rosemont. So if you are coming into town for the National this summer, I recommend a beef sandwich at Johnnies -- you won't be disappointed!
After lunch, I had to head back home to pick up my daughter who had completed her first day of work at a shop at the local mall. I am so proud of my baby girl getting a job. Though, she was exhausted when I picked her up. Welcome to adulthood honey! Now if we could just get your brother working...
Anyway, another terrific day in Orland. A big thank you to Rich and the nice ladies that run the show. Also, thanks to everyone who stopped to chat, bought and sold me cards. There was a lot of discussion about my recent blogs. I love that so many people follow this blog! By the end of the day, I had forgotten that I had been sick all week.
Next up is the Oak Creek show on Saturday, March 4, 2023. I recently expanded the show to 180 tables and I still have a dealer waiting list! The calls for dealer space are never ending! I feel terrible that I do not have the space for everyone who wants to set up. Sorry guys! Hopefully, I can get you in soon!
See you guys in Oak Creek!
I had a rough week prior to the show. My son brought home some sort of sickness from school, which I, of course, acquired. I missed a few days of work. I had to hustle on Saturday to finish loading up my '52 Topps and '61 Post. Got it done and wanted to load up my car but there have been so many car break ins in my neighborhood that I am afraid now to load the car on the night before the show.
I was ready to pass out after I loaded the car up in the morning. I somehow showered, made it out of the house and arrived in Orland around 8 a.m. There was a large number of cars already in the parking lot.
Load in and set up were pretty easy. I brought out all of my binders and three display cases. I overestimated my space and did not have enough room to place out any of the basketball binders.
After set up, I slumped into a chair and waited for my pals Will and Joe to arrive with Mickey D's. Oh, I needed sustenance and felt so much better after that fine meal and caffeination.
Nice crowd once again. This is one of the best-run shows around. These folks do such an excellent job promoting the show. They also treat me like family and I appreciate them so much!
Another reason I absolutely love this show is that there are always a large number of vintage dealers, which in turn, brings out a large number of vintage collectors. Superstar vintage dealers "The Other Tony" and Kevin F. were set up, and it is always great to see those guys. Kevin is setting up in Oak Creek. I'd love to get Tony up there some day. I saw vintage dealer Tom Mularz, also a superstar. It is always great to talk with Tom, who like Kevin, is setting up in Oak Creek next week.
Another superstar vintage dealer Jim C. had the '71 Brock I needed for my set. I thought I had the set completed with my recent acquisition of a Clemente but went through it once again and saw that I was missing the Brock. Jim C. will be in Oak Creek, like the others.
My neighbor Terry purchased some cards then sent a guy selling slabbed '58 Mantle and Aaron All Stars my way. We made a deal and I appreciate the assist from Terry.
Terry had a lot of tax questions for me. Tax law is not my forte. I hire an accountant like everyone else to deal with my taxes. Now, if you need a divorce, need to reduce your child support payments, get a traffic ticket, DUI, or have a traffic accident, then I'm your guy! I also do landlord/tenant law, contract disputes and a host of other areas but I stay away from taxes.
After talking to Terry about taxes, the flood gates opened, and I was busy all day long. My first customer of the day was Pat Quinn. I love Mr. Quinn and his old partner Roger, who I also saw walking the show. They don't remember me but I met them when I was 12 years old and went to their card shop on the Southwest Side of Chicago. That was 44 years ago!
There are a few of us at the Orland show, now in our mid-fifties, who went to the old Sports Collectors shop as kids. My pal Paul P. and I always reminisce about those days. Speaking of Paul, haven't seen him in a while. Mr. Paul, hope you can make one of the March Orland shows!
Mr. Quinn purchased a 1968 Globetrotters program. He seems to be into publications these days. Back when I first started setting up in Orland, about 22 years ago now, he used to bring me the greatest vintage oddball cards like 1960 Topps Tattoos and sell them to me for a song. I miss those days!
Next up was my pal Mike, a regular reader of this blog. Thanks Mike! In most of my Orland blogs I note that the vintage crowd generally stops at Record Store Steve's table first, then Jim, the Terry, then me. Mike told me he is doing it in reverse and started with me first! Awesome! Mike purchased some 1952 Topps among others which was much appreciated.
So I was able to jot down Pat and Mike's purchases and mistakenly thought I could take notes all day long but I quickly became overwhelmed with customers and abandoned my notes. Let's see what I can remember....
I sold quite a few publications. My old pal Chris T. purchased some 1961 Post, among others. Chris is one of the most knowledgeable card guys I know. I've learned a lot from him over the years. Lately, we have been talking about the Fleer football cards from the 1970's. Chris distinctly remembers purchasing packs back then. He even remembers the texture of the gum! I, on the other hand, have no recollection of these cards. As you know, I was at the corner pharmacy buying cards all the time in those days. I remember buying the oversized Fleer all-time greats baseball and football cards but do not remember these particular football cards.
The Fleer football consists of random action shots. As Chris pointed out, Fleer used the same photo on multiple years. I have purchased quite a few of them from Chris over the years. I always appreciate talking to Chris and learning something new.
My pal Eddie came by and purchased a pile of graded cards, including my 1956 Topps Ted Williams. Eddie was today's big winner. Thanks buddy! Then there was the father and son team who purchased a pile of stuff. The son was wearing a cool old Bill Buckner Cubs jersey. Dad was wearing what I think was a Bill Terry New York Giants jersey. Another customer I really like is Mike D., who purchased a bunch of cards. Thanks Mike! Mike is also an accountant. I had Mike's business card and passed it along to Terry.
So, like I said, it was a mob scene at my tables most of the day. I had guys sitting in front and back of the tables! I sold a ton of cards! I ended up having an excellent day, as usual. The Orland show rocks!
My pal Willie S. made an appearance. Back in the day, I used to see Willie every week but these days I only see him a couple of times a year. It was great to catch up. He also purchased a bunch of cards. Thanks Willie!
On the buying front, it was one of my best buying shows in Orland in a long while. I picked up my usual group from Junior, including a 1968 Topps Stand-Up Joe Namath. I picked up that slabbed Aaron and Mantle, mentioned earlier. Then I purchased a nice pile of early 1970's basketball with commons and stars. The seller said he will have more for me soon! Awesome!
Will, Joe and I capped off the day at the sub shop. I had an Italian beef sandwich. It was a little dry and not enough peppers for my liking. I was surprised, I thought they made a better beef at the sub shop. For those followers that live outside of Chicago, an Italian beef sandwich is a Chicago staple and consists of seasoned roast beef on a fresh Italian roll. You can ask for the sandwich to be topped off with giardiniera, which is pickled, spiced peppers and veggies in olive oil. You can also ask for sweet peppers (roasted peppers) or both. I went with the sweet peppers because, even though I love it, giardiniera sometimes upsets my stomach. You can also ask for the sandwich to be wet/dipped in au jus or dry. I went with dry because it is easier to eat but I like that meat to have some au jus.
As a side note, the best beef place in the Chicago area is Johnnie's in Elmwood Park, which is just a few miles east Rosemont. So if you are coming into town for the National this summer, I recommend a beef sandwich at Johnnies -- you won't be disappointed!
After lunch, I had to head back home to pick up my daughter who had completed her first day of work at a shop at the local mall. I am so proud of my baby girl getting a job. Though, she was exhausted when I picked her up. Welcome to adulthood honey! Now if we could just get your brother working...
Anyway, another terrific day in Orland. A big thank you to Rich and the nice ladies that run the show. Also, thanks to everyone who stopped to chat, bought and sold me cards. There was a lot of discussion about my recent blogs. I love that so many people follow this blog! By the end of the day, I had forgotten that I had been sick all week.
Next up is the Oak Creek show on Saturday, March 4, 2023. I recently expanded the show to 180 tables and I still have a dealer waiting list! The calls for dealer space are never ending! I feel terrible that I do not have the space for everyone who wants to set up. Sorry guys! Hopefully, I can get you in soon!
See you guys in Oak Creek!
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