Card of the Day: Johnny Bench 2021 Topps Stadium Club #197

Card of the Day: Johnny Bench 1974 Topps #10

Card of the Day: Johnny Bench 1973 Topps #380

Card of the Day: Johnny Bench 2005 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Classic Jumbo Patch

Card of the Day: Johnny Bench 1976 Topps #300

The Sept. ’09 Philly Show Report

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.