Collectors’ Showcase of America Show – 11/12/11

Today I attended the Collectors’ Showcase of America show that was held at The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center which is in Oaks, PA.  After hearing a few good things about it during the last Philly Show, I decided to give it a shot.

The layout is nicer than what the Philly Show has turned into.  There is a lot more space and it reminds me of The Fort Washington Expo Center or The Greater Reading Expo Center.  When I arrived, it wasn’t that crowed.  But I got there shortly after it opened.  Some of the dealers I talked to were disappointed because people weren’t spending money.  As the day went on, more people showed-up.  The food is better and you can at least close the bathroom stall doors.  The walk in is much shorter too.

I saw a lot of nice singles, mostly vintage, but I did see some dealers that had modern stuff.  Nothing really jumped out at me though.  Every time I see a glass case filled with Phillies stuff I’m hoping to find one of those Harry Kalas cards I don’t have, but rarely does it happen.  I picked-up some supplies and three boxes.  I was hoping to find some 2011 Leaf Valiant and 2011 Leaf Pete Rose Legacy, but didn’t find any.  Instead I bought a box of 2011 Leaf Sports Icons, 2011 Leaf Metal Draft Baseball, and 2010 Panini Century Collection.  I still have to bust the Metal Draft Baseball.  I’m hoping for an Ichiro redemption.  I will blog about what I pulled later this weekend.  Marty’s Sports Card Exchange usually has the best prices on wax when it comes to these shows.

I got recognized again by a Sports Card Info reader.  I always find this funny.  Its a small ego boost 🙂  That’s something I never thought would happen when I started Sports Card Info.  I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name, but if your reading this please let me know what it is an how you made out at the show.

Overall, I thought it was a good show.  I don’t think I’ll get there as early next time.

JIMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This has to be one of my favorite in-person autographs I’ve ever gotten.  As soon as I heard that Jimmy Rollins was going to be there I had to go.  This is his first show appearance in 10 years.  I hope this isn’t one of his ways of saying goodbye to Phillies fans.

Close-up look at Rollins signature on my bat

Boxing legend Michael Spinks

Vince Papale – Former Philadelphia Eagles Wide Receiver

Papale was the inspiration for the movie Invincible starring Mark Wahlberg.  I think he looks like Tommy-Lee Jones.

Tommy McDonald – Former Philadelphia Eagles Wide Receiver and 1998 Pro Football HOF inductee

Philadelphia Sports Card and Memorabilia Show Results

Pickups:

3 – boxes of 2008 Leaf Certified Materials

1 – pack of 2008 Bowman Sterling football

2 – packs of 2008 Razor Cut Signature Edition

Jim Langer 1973 Topps RC

Jim Thorpe 2005 Playoff Absolute Jersey #’ed/250

Doak Walker / Walter Payton 2007 LCM Fabric of the Game Dual Jersey #’ed/100

I arrived at the Greater Reading Expo Center at exactly 9:00 a.m.  The big news that all the dealers were talking about was that the show was sold to Hunt Auctions.  Many of the dealers I talked to were not happy at all.  Not only are the dealers angry because they are moving the show to a new location, but they also hear rumors that it will cost them $500.00 per table to setup and they will no longer be able to reserve their usual spot on the show floor.  Now its going to be on a first come first serve basis.  A lot of the dealers I talked to said they may not even setup at the next show in March.  

Other than the fact many dealers were bummed about the new show’s owner, I thought it was a great day.  When I first got there I headed over the the supply table because I needed top loaders and penny sleeves really bad.  About five minutes later I visited one of my local card shop owners and picked up a 2007 Leaf Certified Materials Fabric of the Game Dual Jersey of Walter Payton and Doak Walker #’ed/100.  I eventually traveled over to a dealer from New York and picked up a Jim Thorpe 2005 Playoff Absolute BASEBALL jersey #’ed/250.  Around lunch time while eating one of Reading’s finest cheeseburgers I ripped open a box of 2008 Leaf Certified Materials which contained a bunch of inserts and memorabilia cards such as a Matt Ryan Fabric of the Game jersey, Fred Biletnikoff jersey and a Jeremy Shockey Mirror Emerald insert #’ed 5/5.  Throughout the day I opened a few more boxes of 2008 LCM and pulled a bunch of nice looking cards.  I knew it was going to be a good day when the first card I pulled was Brett Favre wearing a Jets shirt.

If there is one player that I hope does well this year in the NFL it would be Matt Forte.  I pulled three really nice cards of him: (1) 2008 LCM Jumbo jersey #’ed/599, (1) 2008 LCM Fabric of the Game 2 color patch #’ed/25, and (1) 2008 Bowman Sterling RC Auto #’ed/1050.  I purchased most of my boxes from the dealer near the back from Tennessee.  I got some really good deals from him.  It was his stand where I purchased two packs of 2008 Razor Cut Signature Edition.  That was the first time I saw any of these cards in person.  In the first pack I received a Yogi Berra Cut Signature numbered to 10 or less made and in the second pack I received a Faith Hill Cut Signature numbered to 10 or less made.  I really like these Razor Cut Signature cards.  Most of them are numbered to 10 or less which I think it pretty cool.  

Strolling past a small dealer I found a bunch of vintage cards in which I picked up a Jim Langer 1973 Topps RC for my Dolphins collection.  All day I was looking for an affordable 1886-87 Old Judge card.  I have been wanting to pick one up for awhile because they are some of the first mass produced baseball cards.  I came across one dealer that had a bunch of vintage cards that included some Old Judge.  I saw one for $110.00 and the dealer said he would sell it to me for $90.00.  It was in an SGC Authentic holder and I was about to buy it when he told me that it could possibly be trimmed.  As soon as I heard that, I knew I wasn’t going to purchase it.  So, the search continues for an Old Judge card for my collection.  

I got Tom Herr to sign my bat around 1:00 p.m. and after about another hour of browsing I decided I was finished for the day.  These shows really remind you of what the hobby is all about.  People swapping stories, showing off their collections, and being able to find cards for your personal collection.  Attending a show like this really takes you into the “belly of the beast” and can help you understand whats going on in the hobby.  I thought it was a great show, and I hope to see most of the dealers at the next show in March.

P.S.

I did see Chris Harris from Stale Gum, but he was walking up the steps to go in as I was leaving the parking lot 🙂

Big Show This Weekend

Tomorrow I will be leaving bright and early heading towards the Greater Reading Expo Center for the 100th Philadelphia Sports Card & Memorabilia Show.  I will be taking my camera, baseball bat, and wallet.  At 1:00 p.m. Tom Herr will be signing autographs for all the collectors.  I desperately need to pick up some supplies such as top loaders, penny sleeves, and stands.  While going around the show I will be looking for and Phillies, Dolphins, memorabilia cards of old players and whatever stands out to me.  Of coarse I will be opening some wax like 2008 Leaf Certified Materials, 2008 Bowman Sterling, and 2008 Absolute Memorabilia.  Maybe I’ll pull some MOJO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Here is a picture of Stan Bahnsen and I from the last show in March:

Philadelphia Sports Card & Memorabilia Show Is Moving

For those people that attend the Philadelphia Sports Card & Memorabilia Show, its important that you know that starting with the 101st show in March 2009 it will be at The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center At Oaks.  Below is a map and floor plan of the new facility.  Remember that the next show (9/26 – 9/28) will be at The Greater Reading Expo Center.  Tom Herr and Mike Torrez will be signing autographs that weekend.  I always enjoy these shows.  They usually have a ton of great stuff to look through.