Saturday, August 21, 2021, St. John's Lutheran Church, Woodstock, IL
It took me a while to get out of the house Saturday morning. Unfortunately, there is no quick way to Woodstock, just winding country roads. The nice thing is that the speed limit on these two-lane roads is mostly 55 MPH while the bad thing is I always get stuck behind someone driving just 35 MPH which sucks when I am running late.
I made it to Woodstock in about 50 minutes. I stopped in McHenry for gas. I arrived around 9 a.m. Show does not open until 9:30 a.m. and many dealers arrived along with me.
Once inside, I observed that Larry and Carol were already sitting at my table, creating a roadblock for my cart full of stuff. While talking to Larry, I spilled my large cup of coffee onto the floor. Ugh! I don't know why I use this mug where the top does not stay on. I think I'm retiring that mug.
Well, Larry likes my binders and I did not bring any binders, instead, I brought out four display cases. I forgot about Larry and should have brought some stuff for him. Hopefully, next time I'll remember to bring something for Larry. I think he was a little ticked off I did not bring the binders and kind of left in a huff. Sorry buddy!
I spent the next 20 minutes or so cleaning up the large puddle of coffee under my table. I could not find a mop and had to use the crappy paper towels from the bathroom. Ugh!
Thankfully, the day flowed much better after I finished cleaning up the coffee. I was able to place all of my high end baseball cards into the display cases. The dealer next to me called in and cancelled. Unfortunately, I did not bring more display cases, as promoter Curtis told me to spread out. I pulled some $10 cards and placed them on a corner of the open table.
One customer came around a few times and checked out all of my pre-War and early Bowmans. He ended up purchasing a T201 Ed Walsh and some 1951 Bowman commons. He told me that he grew up down the street from Whitey Ford in New York and attended the wedding of Whitey's son. All the Yankees were there like Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra. Before the wedding, Whitey requested that all the guests refrain from fan hysteria and let the Yankees alone during the wedding. In exchange for the guests good behavior, Whitey placed piles of autographed photos featuring the Yankees players on a table for the guests to take home as a gift.
Another customer was working on sets from the 1950s and found a bunch of cards. He really didn't like my prices but I know what these cards sell for and I am not going to give them away. He settled down and purchased a bunch of cards and quizzed me as to which players had the most hits in the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.
Here's the list of decade hit leaders:
1940s: Lou Boudreau with 1,578
1950s: Richie Ashburn with 1,875
1960s: Roberto Clemente with 1,877
1970s: Pete Rose with 2,045
1980s: Robin Yount with 1,731
1990s: Mark Grace with 1,754
2000s: Derek Jeter with 1,940
2010s: Robinson Cano with 1,695
A customer that came out to one of my pop-up shops purchased a 1961 Topps Bob Gibson. I regularly get asked when I'm doing another pop-up shop. I really need to start planning for one as there seems to be a demand.
A young guy purchased a 1972 Topps Gale Sayers. Another customer purchased a 1972 Topps Dick Butkus. The dealer across the way purchased a pile of Ernie Banks cards including 1957, 1960 and 1969. Another customer purchased a 1969 Topps Fergie Jenkins. These are the sales I remember. I sold a bunch more stuff and had a surprisingly good day.
I bought some stuff as well. Scotty P. came down from Wisconsin to sell me some 1953 Johnston Cookies. Thanks Scotty! A young guy sold me a 1958 Topps Ernie Banks All Star.
So other than the spilled coffee, it was a really great day. I am still on the waiting list for this show, so I am not sure when there will be another opening for me. I really like this show and hope to get another table soon.
In the meantime, I have the bug and want to set up next week but there are few options. I put my name on the waiting list for the show in Peru, Illinois, a few weeks ago and it does not look like I'm getting in. There is a show nearby in Waukegan but I have not seen any promotion for this show other than a listing in Beckett. I won't set up at a show that is not well promoted.
I have been considering the new show at the Sheraton in Madison, WI, where the promoter does a nice job of getting the word out. Only issue is that tables cost $50 which I think is much too high and am not sure I would even make $50 at the show since I have never set up there. I have set up many times at the other show in Madison, operated by Darren. There were a few times were I barely made table fee at Darren's show while other times I did really well. Darren has been running shows in Madison for decades. I don't know if he is operating his show any longer. Does anyone know?
I think the next closest shows are Lansing, MI, and Fishers, IN. I don't feel like driving four hours, so I am settling on the flea market at the Kenosha County Fair Grounds. I do not bring my usual set up to the flea market, largely because I don't want my cards to bake in the hot sun. So if anyone is planning to be at the Flea Market in Wilmot, WI, and wants me to bring something particular, let me know.
I love the flea market. Hopefully, I can rustle one of my kids to help me. Reminder, my next show at the Salvation Army Community Center, 8853 S. Howell, in Oak Creek, WI, is on Saturday, September 4. Dealer tables are sold out. Also, I just contracted with Don August, former Brewers pitcher, to sign autographs at the October 2nd Sal Show. Don will sign autos for $15 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. I will have a supply of his cards for sale for $1 each at the show. Mail orders must arrive at my office by October 1, 2021. Make your check payable to Anthony Gordon and send to:
The Law Office of Anthony B. Gordon
201 E. Dundee Road, Suite 2
Palatine, IL 60074
A big thank you to everyone who bought cards from me at the Woodstock show. Come visit me at the Kenosha County Fairgrounds on Sunday, August 29, 2021.
It took me a while to get out of the house Saturday morning. Unfortunately, there is no quick way to Woodstock, just winding country roads. The nice thing is that the speed limit on these two-lane roads is mostly 55 MPH while the bad thing is I always get stuck behind someone driving just 35 MPH which sucks when I am running late.
I made it to Woodstock in about 50 minutes. I stopped in McHenry for gas. I arrived around 9 a.m. Show does not open until 9:30 a.m. and many dealers arrived along with me.
Once inside, I observed that Larry and Carol were already sitting at my table, creating a roadblock for my cart full of stuff. While talking to Larry, I spilled my large cup of coffee onto the floor. Ugh! I don't know why I use this mug where the top does not stay on. I think I'm retiring that mug.
Well, Larry likes my binders and I did not bring any binders, instead, I brought out four display cases. I forgot about Larry and should have brought some stuff for him. Hopefully, next time I'll remember to bring something for Larry. I think he was a little ticked off I did not bring the binders and kind of left in a huff. Sorry buddy!
I spent the next 20 minutes or so cleaning up the large puddle of coffee under my table. I could not find a mop and had to use the crappy paper towels from the bathroom. Ugh!
Thankfully, the day flowed much better after I finished cleaning up the coffee. I was able to place all of my high end baseball cards into the display cases. The dealer next to me called in and cancelled. Unfortunately, I did not bring more display cases, as promoter Curtis told me to spread out. I pulled some $10 cards and placed them on a corner of the open table.
One customer came around a few times and checked out all of my pre-War and early Bowmans. He ended up purchasing a T201 Ed Walsh and some 1951 Bowman commons. He told me that he grew up down the street from Whitey Ford in New York and attended the wedding of Whitey's son. All the Yankees were there like Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra. Before the wedding, Whitey requested that all the guests refrain from fan hysteria and let the Yankees alone during the wedding. In exchange for the guests good behavior, Whitey placed piles of autographed photos featuring the Yankees players on a table for the guests to take home as a gift.
Another customer was working on sets from the 1950s and found a bunch of cards. He really didn't like my prices but I know what these cards sell for and I am not going to give them away. He settled down and purchased a bunch of cards and quizzed me as to which players had the most hits in the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.
Here's the list of decade hit leaders:
1940s: Lou Boudreau with 1,578
1950s: Richie Ashburn with 1,875
1960s: Roberto Clemente with 1,877
1970s: Pete Rose with 2,045
1980s: Robin Yount with 1,731
1990s: Mark Grace with 1,754
2000s: Derek Jeter with 1,940
2010s: Robinson Cano with 1,695
A customer that came out to one of my pop-up shops purchased a 1961 Topps Bob Gibson. I regularly get asked when I'm doing another pop-up shop. I really need to start planning for one as there seems to be a demand.
A young guy purchased a 1972 Topps Gale Sayers. Another customer purchased a 1972 Topps Dick Butkus. The dealer across the way purchased a pile of Ernie Banks cards including 1957, 1960 and 1969. Another customer purchased a 1969 Topps Fergie Jenkins. These are the sales I remember. I sold a bunch more stuff and had a surprisingly good day.
I bought some stuff as well. Scotty P. came down from Wisconsin to sell me some 1953 Johnston Cookies. Thanks Scotty! A young guy sold me a 1958 Topps Ernie Banks All Star.
So other than the spilled coffee, it was a really great day. I am still on the waiting list for this show, so I am not sure when there will be another opening for me. I really like this show and hope to get another table soon.
In the meantime, I have the bug and want to set up next week but there are few options. I put my name on the waiting list for the show in Peru, Illinois, a few weeks ago and it does not look like I'm getting in. There is a show nearby in Waukegan but I have not seen any promotion for this show other than a listing in Beckett. I won't set up at a show that is not well promoted.
I have been considering the new show at the Sheraton in Madison, WI, where the promoter does a nice job of getting the word out. Only issue is that tables cost $50 which I think is much too high and am not sure I would even make $50 at the show since I have never set up there. I have set up many times at the other show in Madison, operated by Darren. There were a few times were I barely made table fee at Darren's show while other times I did really well. Darren has been running shows in Madison for decades. I don't know if he is operating his show any longer. Does anyone know?
I think the next closest shows are Lansing, MI, and Fishers, IN. I don't feel like driving four hours, so I am settling on the flea market at the Kenosha County Fair Grounds. I do not bring my usual set up to the flea market, largely because I don't want my cards to bake in the hot sun. So if anyone is planning to be at the Flea Market in Wilmot, WI, and wants me to bring something particular, let me know.
I love the flea market. Hopefully, I can rustle one of my kids to help me. Reminder, my next show at the Salvation Army Community Center, 8853 S. Howell, in Oak Creek, WI, is on Saturday, September 4. Dealer tables are sold out. Also, I just contracted with Don August, former Brewers pitcher, to sign autographs at the October 2nd Sal Show. Don will sign autos for $15 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. I will have a supply of his cards for sale for $1 each at the show. Mail orders must arrive at my office by October 1, 2021. Make your check payable to Anthony Gordon and send to:
The Law Office of Anthony B. Gordon
201 E. Dundee Road, Suite 2
Palatine, IL 60074
A big thank you to everyone who bought cards from me at the Woodstock show. Come visit me at the Kenosha County Fairgrounds on Sunday, August 29, 2021.
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