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

[helf35]

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

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]

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

Will be there Saturday and Lollapalooza Friday

[gorilla777]

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

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]

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

Friday

[TNTtoys]

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

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).

[jataman2612]

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

I wish there was a National or Tri-Star like show where instead of cards it was just autographs and game used. Have autograph guests like the National. They could have authentication stations for GU. They could even have a live auction.

I think it would be a cool idea. I'm surprised there hasn't been something like this.

[ironmanfan]

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

Back in the late 1990's, some collectors/dealers from the Baltimore/DC area used to host an annual show, which was just game used material.....I miss those days!

[sox83cubs84]

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

Back in the late 1990's, some collectors/dealers from the Baltimore/DC area used to host an annual show, which was just game used material.....I miss those days!

Bill, I remember those. I even attended one, and would have attended more, except for a falling out with one of the promoters. LOTS of nice game-used stuff. I may be mistaken, but I believe at some point the show allowed other types of sports collectibles, as long as they were from 1976 or earlier.

Dave Miedema

[G1X]

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

I attended a couple of those shows in DC. Dealers from that era such as Ball 4 Sports, Smokin' Pistols (Tom Sharon with a table of A's flannels), Football Heaven (Bob Drzewiecki), Sports Warehouse, and others were set up at the first show I attended circa 1995. Sadly, most at that show are no longer in business along with other reputable dealers from that era who have either closed shop, retired, or passed away such as the legendary Dick Dobbins and Floyd Hartel. I miss those days as it seemed a bit more fun waiting for the next team buy from one of those dealers.

Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange
gixc@verizon.net

STILL LOOKING FOR WORLD FOOTBALL LEAGUE UNIFORMS (1974 and 1975 WFL)