I can't remember the last time I set up in Janesville. This show seems to regularly conflict with Orland. Luckily, no conflict today!
Even though it has been a while since I was in Janesville, I have done enough of these shows to know what works and what does not work there. My display case stuff works best in Janesville; the binders not so much. Unfortunately, I had to bring out the binders today because I am saving the display case stuff for Strongsville next weekend. So I expected slow sales today and it was slow sales I received. I will be bringing display cases to the June 9th Janesville show!!
Though, I did have a couple of nice sales today. My favorite Janesville residents, a great father and son team, purchased my 1951 Bowman Y.A. Tittle and my 1979 Topps Ozzie Smith rookie. I did bring out a couple of display cases and had some of my overflow stuff in there. I love these guys! You can tell how much they enjoy vintage sports cards. It is most enjoyable when I get to deal with folks who love vintage cards as much as I do!!
Then the collector I met a few weeks ago in Madison was at the show and he pulled a large pile of 1969 Topps baseball. He is another guy who loves vintage cards and is a huge sports fan.
J.R. was there and purchased my 1968 Topps Carl Yastrzemski and 1969 Topps Ted Williams. Thanks J.R.! I also sold some cards out of my discount boxes. A few other guys pulled some cards from my binders. I sold one publication. Yet, it was largely a tire-kicker day. Nice crowd. Lots of folks looking at my stuff but most did not pull the trigger on anything.
On a positive note, my buying slump ended! Curt, who I have known for years, brought me stuff he picked up at an estate sale including some 1963 Topps, 1975 Topps minis, along with some 1970 and 1972 Topps baseball posters. I have never had the '72 posters before. He also had some publications for me. Thanks Curt! Gary gave me some publications as well. Thanks Gary!
Even with slow sales, I had a really great day. I am super happy with my purchases. Then I got to hang out with Gary, Dennis, Mikey, John G. and Tom M. I love these guys! They are a joy to be around. The last few times I chatted with John G., we talked about vintage non-sports cards. I had no idea he was so into them and so knowledgeable. Today, he showed me his recent non-sports pick-ups like Brady Bunch, Partridge Family, Gilligan's Island, Hogan's Heros and Mars Attack. Cool stuff!
I always enjoy chatting with promoters John and Mike. I also talked with Tommy L., Tom K., Beau, Scott and Jim Z., Josh B. and Ray A., who introduced me to his lovely wife.
After the show, I took the stupidest route home. My normal hour and a half drive turned into two and half hours, largely because I forgot I had to go to CVS in Palatine to pick up some meds. I basically took 12 all the way to Palatine. I just didn't feel like taking I90 home and being tail-gated and cut off the whole way home. While 12 is much longer, it is a much more pleasant drive. The cost of gas in Janesville is $3.25 a gallon as opposed to $4.09 by my house. I filled up in Janesville.
It is a double bill weekend. I'm setting up in Appleton on Sunday. Woot!