Overall Score:
3 hot dogs out of 5
Today I went to the Valley Forge Convention Center to attend the Philadelphia Sports Card & Memorabilia Show which is operated by Hunt Auctions. Hunt Auctions must have read my report on the last show because things seemed to run a bit smoother this time. Entering the show, I could tell there were a lot more places to sit to go through your purchases and grab a bite to eat. This time the show wasn’t on the basement floor and the bathrooms were a lot nicer and didn’t look like a crime scene from CSI. Making my way around the show I stopped at some of my favorite dealers such as Shaffer’s Trading Cards, Marty’s Sports Card Exchange, and MLS Cards. They all said they did about average during The National but nothing spectacular. The show seemed to be running a little slow and wasn’t that full (at least when I was there). About 90% of the dealers still go by “Book Value” which I think we all know means nothing in today’s hobby. Book Value is really destroying The Hobby and is one of the main reasons why dealers have such a hard time making sales. The dealers I talked to were also angry that Hunt Auctions didn’t advertise the show very well. For some crazy reason I get the feeling these show promoters get their money from the dealers and then pocket it for themselves and do little if any marketing. I heard a lot of dealers say “Its not like the early 90’s anymore”.
After browsing the show for awhile, I decided to make my purchases. I managed to pickup two really cool singles for my collection while busting a pack of ’09 Sterling Football and two boxes of ’09 Absolute Football. Check out what I got.
Hunt Auctions was a little more organized this time when it came to the autograph guests. I could clearly see where you were suppose to go when your signer arrived. I was able to meet Johnny Bench and Dave “The Hammer” Schultz, and obtained photos of everyone that was signing. Click on each photo for a closer look.
Johnny Bench was very nice. I’m glad I was able to get him on my bat.
Bench’s signature is right under “Sports Card Info”
Dave “The Hammer” Schultz really likes talking to collectors. He was the Left Wing for the Flyers and holds the NHL record for penalty minutes in a single season.
This is the first time I ever got a hockey puck signed. Dave “The Hammer” Schultz was the free autograph guest today.
Carlton Fisk
Muhammad Ali’s trainer Angelo Dundee
Joe Frazier came in wearing a cowboy hat and gold around his neck.
The next Philly Show takes place on December 4-6. So far the autograph guests include:
- Pete Rose
- Steve Carlton
- Mike Schmidt
- Cole Hamels
I have always enjoyed this show and will continue to go as long as they have it. I seem to find a lot of great stuff for my personal collection and the wax is usually priced reasonably. If anyone lives close to Valley Forge, I encourage you to attend.
Filed under: Card Shows, Events | Tagged: 2009, angelo, auctions, autograph, bat, bench, card, carlton, cole, december, dundee, fisk, frazier, grove, guests, hamels, hunt, joe, johnny, lefty, memorabilia, mike, pete, philadelphia, photos, Pickups, report, rose, schmidt, september, show, sports, steve |
Sports Card Info 
Awesome! Bench looks like he’s trying to hit you.
Very cool! Nice job with the boxes too, nice to see Bench and Fisk again.
Any chance you are willing to trade the Darcel McBath and Crabtree cards that you pulled? Let me know
I actually have the McBath and one of the Crabtree patches up for sale now.
what is your ebay tag, or can you link to one of the auctions.
here is a link to my auctions:
http://shop.ebay.com/rosschrisman2003/m.html?_dmd=1&_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1
That’s a part of the reason why I quit going to shows. 90% of the dealers want book value or some wanted higher just because the guy had good stats for the week. A real turn off.
I find it hard to believe that dealers are asking book price. They might have a sticker that is book price though I am confident they are willing to work with most anyone. Before it becomes a bashing of the dealers,I think we should be applauding most of them for their efforts.There are quite a few that are into this for the passion of the game and love what they do.While I am sure some do pretty well it is not as if they are all making tons of money.Anybody look into the cost and effort of setting up at these shows? Its likely more than what the average collector thinks and consists of a lot of work prepping and setting up at the shows.Just my two cents and hope everybody enjoys the next Philly show. Looks like an impressive lineup of autograph guests for the show. Have fun. Chris