He was kind of like a Baby Huey character, just a big lovable guy who somehow could make his large frame appear diminutive as he surrounded himself with boxes and boxes of sports and non-sports cards at card shows most every week.
I first met the amazing Dell Heyn about 25 years ago when I shut down my publishing company and began setting up at card shows operated by legendary Chicago-area promoter Fred Copp. At the time, Fred ran four shows a week -- Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I would set up at the Friday, Saturday and Sunday shows (all in different locations!). So would a regular group of wonderful guys including Dell.
Often, you could not see Dell as he was blocked from view by his boxes and boxes of dime and quarter cards but you knew he was there by the sound of his booming baritone which offered various opinions on the state of the Chicago sports teams, sports cards and sports card shows.
I enjoyed hanging out with Dell and the others three days out of every week. Dell was so pleasant. At the time, I was preparing to attend law school and studying for the LSAT and found the card shows a welcome relief from my studies.
I was living on the Northwest Side of Chicago in those days as were many of the other guys who would set up at Fred's shows, including Dell, who came to my house to purchase a Raphael Palmiero card. Palmiero was his favorite player and he had the world's foremost collection of Palmiero cards.
I really enjoyed hanging out with all the regular dealers at Fred's shows like Dell, Willie, Dan, Don and a few others that would come in and out.
Eventually, Dell stopped coming or would set up occasionally. He found other shows with bigger crowds including the Orland Park show and the Gonzaga show. I followed Dell to these shows though still tried to find time for Fred's shows.
Actually, I followed Dell all over the place from the National, Sun-Times shows, to Fort Wayne and to Canton.
Wherever Dell set up, the scene was the same. Massive amounts of boxes of cards with Dell swimming in the middle. I don't think he had a card on his table that cost more than a $1. His set up was unique and he excelled. I don't know anyone who made so much money with so many inexpensive cards. His sales at the National each year were legendary. They should have created an award for Dell because he made more money selling dime cards at the National than most dealers made selling $100 cards.
I have to think he did so well because he was loved by all. There was always a crowd by his tables no matter where he set up.
I just saw him recently at the April 5 Oak Creek show. Dell was a huge supporter of my show and I am forever in his debt. To get the Dell stamp of approval really meant something to me and I was so appreciative that he set up every month at my show.
We had come along way these past 25 years since we first met. Dell saw my full head of hair fade. I saw his dark black hair go gray. Yet there he was every month in Oak Creek or at Orland, still behind that massive wall of dime cards... and here I am every week still behind a wall of vintage sports cards. Some things never change.
Not having Dell in Oak Creek and Orland every month is a change I don't want. I am going to miss Dell Heyn like nobody's business. I never got to talk about the MegaShow with him. He chose to go on a cruise instead of setting up. I was sure I could convince him to set up at the next one in September.
Dell was just 50 years old. He was born in the magical year of 1975, the first year I collected baseball cards. I never realized I was 8 years older than him. I always figured we were about the same age.
At last week's Orland show, promoter Rich Troy said a few nice words over the loudspeaker about Dell. Folks were shocked to learn of Dell's passing. Everyone had such wonderful things to say about him.
That amazing card show in the sky just signed up an absolute gem of dealer. Say hello to everyone up there for us Dell. Until we meet again. I wish I could have told you how much I appreciate you and how much I enjoyed our friendship. You were something special. My condolences to all of Dell's friends and family.
I first met the amazing Dell Heyn about 25 years ago when I shut down my publishing company and began setting up at card shows operated by legendary Chicago-area promoter Fred Copp. At the time, Fred ran four shows a week -- Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I would set up at the Friday, Saturday and Sunday shows (all in different locations!). So would a regular group of wonderful guys including Dell.
Often, you could not see Dell as he was blocked from view by his boxes and boxes of dime and quarter cards but you knew he was there by the sound of his booming baritone which offered various opinions on the state of the Chicago sports teams, sports cards and sports card shows.
I enjoyed hanging out with Dell and the others three days out of every week. Dell was so pleasant. At the time, I was preparing to attend law school and studying for the LSAT and found the card shows a welcome relief from my studies.
I was living on the Northwest Side of Chicago in those days as were many of the other guys who would set up at Fred's shows, including Dell, who came to my house to purchase a Raphael Palmiero card. Palmiero was his favorite player and he had the world's foremost collection of Palmiero cards.
I really enjoyed hanging out with all the regular dealers at Fred's shows like Dell, Willie, Dan, Don and a few others that would come in and out.
Eventually, Dell stopped coming or would set up occasionally. He found other shows with bigger crowds including the Orland Park show and the Gonzaga show. I followed Dell to these shows though still tried to find time for Fred's shows.
Actually, I followed Dell all over the place from the National, Sun-Times shows, to Fort Wayne and to Canton.
Wherever Dell set up, the scene was the same. Massive amounts of boxes of cards with Dell swimming in the middle. I don't think he had a card on his table that cost more than a $1. His set up was unique and he excelled. I don't know anyone who made so much money with so many inexpensive cards. His sales at the National each year were legendary. They should have created an award for Dell because he made more money selling dime cards at the National than most dealers made selling $100 cards.
I have to think he did so well because he was loved by all. There was always a crowd by his tables no matter where he set up.
I just saw him recently at the April 5 Oak Creek show. Dell was a huge supporter of my show and I am forever in his debt. To get the Dell stamp of approval really meant something to me and I was so appreciative that he set up every month at my show.
We had come along way these past 25 years since we first met. Dell saw my full head of hair fade. I saw his dark black hair go gray. Yet there he was every month in Oak Creek or at Orland, still behind that massive wall of dime cards... and here I am every week still behind a wall of vintage sports cards. Some things never change.
Not having Dell in Oak Creek and Orland every month is a change I don't want. I am going to miss Dell Heyn like nobody's business. I never got to talk about the MegaShow with him. He chose to go on a cruise instead of setting up. I was sure I could convince him to set up at the next one in September.
Dell was just 50 years old. He was born in the magical year of 1975, the first year I collected baseball cards. I never realized I was 8 years older than him. I always figured we were about the same age.
At last week's Orland show, promoter Rich Troy said a few nice words over the loudspeaker about Dell. Folks were shocked to learn of Dell's passing. Everyone had such wonderful things to say about him.
That amazing card show in the sky just signed up an absolute gem of dealer. Say hello to everyone up there for us Dell. Until we meet again. I wish I could have told you how much I appreciate you and how much I enjoyed our friendship. You were something special. My condolences to all of Dell's friends and family.
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