Official 2015 NSCC Thread ~ Chicago, July 29-Aug 2

[Tyrcha]

I should be there tonight (Wednesday).

[helf35]

I was there last night, slim Pickens on game used stuff. Onyx has a table with some minor league gear, JT Sports has there booth as well and a pretty sick collection of Trout bats. He also has 3 Abreu bats at $899 if anyone is looking for one. He is also starting to dable in photo matching as I took my 1st HR Avisail Garcia bat there with my JPEGs and he authenticated as such. Fan graphs has some Rizzo and Bryant items if you have some cash to burn as well. A bunch of the bats in random booths were over priced for who they were. I saw a Ken Camenetti bat for $1400. All the auctions that were represented there had some pretty sick displays. I enjoyed seeing the golden auctions set up with the Gold gloves.

[Mirguy05]

Gotta agree with Helf, was there today and was pretty slim pickings re: game used stuff. Definitely a bonanza if you're a card collector, though. Loved the Goldin booth for sure.

[twarman17]

Anyone wants the exclusive topps redemption Bryant card for $10, or the set of three (Bryant, buxton, correa) for $19? Exclusive to the national when you buy a box of 2015 topps, limited supply. Shipped prices. Way cheaper than eBay.

Email Tom at twarman17@yahoo.com

[helf35]

There was a Big Mac bat towards the middle back if anyone is looking. I just glanced at it not sure if it has correct markings but there is one out there. Also found a Frank Thomas worth bat but the handle was flat and not sure if it had the right stamping. I took a photo of the knob if anyone wants to see it.

[helf35]

There was a Big Mac bat towards the middle back if anyone is looking. I just glanced at it not sure if it has correct markings but there is one out there. Also found a Frank Thomas worth bat but the handle was flat and not sure if it had the right stamping. I took a photo of the knob if anyone wants to see it.

Sorry meant knob was flat. 2 tone worth model.

[ivo610]

Will be there Saturday and Lollapalooza Friday

[gorilla777]

I was able to get two of my bats signed, a 70s Jim Rice and mid-60s Frank Robinson bat, while at The National.
One of the fellows was quite chatty, warm and friendly, asking lots of questions and admiring the bat...the other was not at all, barely looking up....any guess as to which was which?

Ben

[skyking26]

Friday

[TNTtoys]

Overall it was a nice trip, and made for some great father and son bonding. Catching up with other collector friends from within the hobby was great too.

As a collector, I was disappointed, as the only item I wound up buying for myself was a retail jersey that I will wear... My son got a few cards and a retail jersey of his own. As for game used, there was really nothing for me there -- which is a first for me, as I have never walked away from a National without anything game used before this one. Don't get me wrong...there were game used items there, but it was slim picking, and mostly the same stuff that was there last year, from the same dealers.

As this particular National probably provided the least in terms of game used, it was observed by not only myself but by several others too that the trend is that the good game used stuff is going directly to auction now and not being sold on the tables. The presence of the auction houses at these shows appears to be growing (even the very small ones), and they have bigger and better displays with more items than before... but at the end of the day, this is a huge tease for the collector, as they are generally at a show like this one to buy, not to browse.

Hoping that the fact that the show is moving next year to a city that has not had a National in many years (Atlantic City, NJ), we will see some things we haven't before. It's definitely worth it in my opinion, as much of the joy in collecting is the thrill of the hunt itself (And of course the fact that it will be a 2 hour car ride from my house is a big plus too).