Susquehanna Valley Mall Card Show – 2/18/23

Never underestimate the value of a good old fashion mall card show.

Over the weekend I attended a card show held at the Susquehanna Valley Mall. It took place right in between an Auntie Anne’s and Gertrude Hawk Chocolates. Not a bad location.

The show was very well attended. There seemed to be more dealers setup at this show compared to the last one I attended here back in September. Large crowd too. It was quite common to have to wait for people to move in order to view a dealer’s table.

A few dealers had sealed boxes for sale. Very expensive though. I’d say a majority of them were selling singles. Lots of Phillies, Eagles, Steelers, and Penn State cards.

When purchasing the Scott Rolen 2022 Topps Stadium Club Auto the dealer showed me a mini batting helmet that he got Scott Rolen to sign. Turns out he got it signed in 1998 at the PA Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg. I remember attending that exact show when I was in middle school. Talk about a small world.

I spent about two hours browsing all of the tables. Left with three new cards for my collection, and a belly full of cinnamon pretzel bites.

Greg Luzinski 2021 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary Auto

Scott Rolen 2022 Topps Stadium Club Auto

Sean Clifford 2021 Pro Set Power Football Platinum Auto #’ed/99

Harrisburg Sports Card Show – February 18, 2017

It has been a long time since I’ve attended a classic shopping mall sports card show.  There has been a steady stream of them around, but none really worth going to.  On the Thursday night news during the sports segment, I overheard them state that there would be a show at the Harrisburg Mall February 17-19.  In addition to that, they also mentioned some Pittsburgh Steelers were scheduled to sign autographs.  This definitely sounded like a show worth checking out.

The Harrisburg Sports Card Show is put on by show promoter Carl Hisiro.  Autograph guests for the weekend included three Steelers – Jesse James, Stephon Tuitt, and Sean Davis.  Former Eagles wide receiver Vince Papale was also on the list to sign.  I decided to take my black/gold Penn State football and get Jesse James to autograph it.  I think it turned out really well.  By the looks of it, I bet they sold at least (200) tickets just for Jesse James.  That number might be low.  It makes perfect sense for a lot of collectors to want him given that he is a Steeler and went to Penn State.  The line moved fairly quickly as they called by ticket number.  I was #114.  While I was there, everything seemed to be running very smoothly.  It didn’t take long to get a ticket, they had merchandise you could buy to get signed, and Jesse James arrived right on time.

As for the card show portion, I’d say there were (20-25) dealers.  I didn’t see that many selling new sealed hobby boxes.  One dealer had a truckload of retail boxes though.  A good mix of vintage and new single cards could be seen.  One dealer had a few Harry Kalas bobbleheads, but I already owned them.  The one card I did inquire about was a Mike Schmidt 2001 Topps Archives Rookie Reprint Bat Relic.  There was no visible price on it, but the card was in a case with other cards listed for $10-$20.  After asking the dealer how much it cost, I found out there was a $50 price written on the back.  The lowest they would go was $40.  Well overpriced.

Overall it was a decent show.  The autograph guests are what caught my attention.  This takes me back to when I first started collecting, and met Scott Rolen at a mall show in 1996-97.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James

Phillies & Steelers Card Show Day!

Today I attended the 34th annual Ephrata Lions Club Sports Card & Memorabilia Show.  The show takes place at the Ephrata Rec Center which is in Ephrata, PA.  I’ve been attending this show ever since my early days of collecting.  How long ago is that?  Well lets just say that when I first started going I would buy older packs (1987 Topps) and hope to pull a valuable card.  Overproduction was not a word in my vocabulary at the time.

The main reason why I go is because they usually have a lot of Phillies stuff.  In addition to that, the Lions Club brings in a good Phillies player from the past to sign autographs.

My pickups include the following:

• Harry Kalas 2012 Reading Phillies talking bobblehead
• Darin Ruf 2010 Bowman Chrome #122
• Veteran Stadium – 1971 – 2003 – Final Season pin
• (1) 2012 Topps Valor Football box – break/review can be seen here

Former Phillies pitcher Steve Bedrosian was signing autographs for fans.  Bedrosian won the N.L. Cy Young Award in 1987 and got a World Series win with the Twins in 1991.

I’ve been wanting to pick one of these Harry Kalas talking bobbleheads up for awhile.  Upon pushing the button, you can hear Harry call the last out of the 2008 World Series.

At the same time the Lions Club Sports Card & Memorabilia Show was going on, over at the Harrisburg Mall the Big 33 was holding their own show.  Since we pass the mall on the way home, it couldn’t hurt to stop in.  When we arrived people were lined up all the way down the entire length of the mall.  Everyone was waiting for Franco Harris.  About five minutes of waiting, Franco Harris came walking by, said “Hello”, and went to work.  There were many other players from the Steelers, Penn State, and Notre Dame scheduled to sign this weekend.

Super Bowl XLVI Champ Henry Hynoski Signing

This afternoon New York Giants fullback Henry Hynoski was signing autographs at the Susquehanna Valley Mall.  The event was sponsored by the Susquehanna Valley Mall and ESPN 92.3FM.  Hynoski played for Southern Columbia High School, then went on to play for the University of Pittsburgh.  He recently won Super Bowl XLVI with the Giants.  Everyone could get (3) items signed free of charge.  The place was totally packed.  The line started outside of Bon-Ton and by the time I left the line was all the way back to Sears.  That’s a long line.  Luckily I got there early enough and didn’t have to wait too long.  They were also handing out miniature ESPN footballs and Pepsi products.  Hynoski was signing right outside of Schuylkill Valley Sports.  They were selling tons of Giants items you could get signed.  How convenient? 🙂

Henry Hynoski is one of those rookies from last year that doesn’t have a ton of cards.  As of right now, you can only find his cards in Plates & Patches and Playoff Contenders.  His Plates & Patches cards seem to be a lot more popular than the Playoff Contenders.

During Super Bowl XLVI Hynoski caught 2 passes for 19 yards, and recovered an Hakeem Nicks fumble in the third quarter.

Henry Hynoski Coming To The Susquehanna Valley Mall

On Saturday March 3, 2012 Giants fullback Henry Hynoski will be holding an autograph signing at the Susquehanna Valley Mall from 12:00pm – 2:00pm.  No word yet on what the costs will be.  Hynoski graduated from Southern Columbia, went on to play with the Pittsburgh Panthers, and recently won Super Bowl XLVI with the New York Giants.

The cost is free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Free autographs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Photos: Eagles Autograph Signing With LeSean McCoy

Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy was at the Susquehanna Valley Mall this afternoon from 2:30pm until 4:00pm signing autographs for fans.  The signing was put on by C.C. Collectibles.  The signing had a very nice turnout.  Lots of fans came out to see him.

Near the center of the mall they had a small card show too.  I was looking for a box of 2011 Leaf Metal Draft Baseball but didn’t see any.  Instead I picked-up a couple of 2011 Topps Marquee Baseball packs I will be busting a little later.

LeSean McCoy SV Mall Signing This Weekend – 10/22/11

Collectors traveling through Central Pennsylvania this weekend might want to stop at the Susquehanna Valley Mall this Saturday – 10/22/11.  From 2:30pm to 4:00pm, Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy will be signing autographs.  Click here to learn how you can obtain your autograph ticket.  Any item is $30.00.  If you purchase your ticket online, you can show them the PayPal receipt once you arrive.  You could also purchase a ticket at the show too.  They shipped me my ticket since I bought it so early.  I’m actually ticket #001.  Looks like I’m first!  See you there.

PHOTOS: Card Show with Kyle Brady

The Capital City Mall located in Harrisburg held a sports card & memorabilia show promoted by CAC-Shows today.  When I was there Kyle Brady and LeSean McCoy were signing autographs.  Later in the day Ryan Clark and Tyrone Carter of the Steelers showed up to sign autographs too.  I busted a few packs and picked up some stuff for my collection.  Take a look!  

 

This is the setup where you would get your autographs.  It was right inside of a closed Disney Store.  It really is the happiest place on Earth 🙂

 

They had a ton on items to purchase if you needed something to get signed.

 

Kyle Brady signing my new Rawlings Black/Gold Penn State football.  It doesn’t get more authentic than this.

 

LeSean McCoy signing autographs.

 

This is the first time I’ve gotten something signed in gold.  I think it turned out nice.

 

The main center of the show.  I’m glad to see it so packed.

 

I had to pick one of these up for my collection.

 

 

I give this show a total of 4 hot dogs out of 5 (1=poor  5=perfect).  There were more dealers than what I thought there would be.  It had a great combination of vintage and modern cards which appeals to different collectors.  There was only one dealer really selling wax, and they had a great selection.  He only had two tins left of 2007 UD Sweet Spot Classic and I snatched them up quick.  CAC-Shows handles the autograph signings very well.  If you don’t have anything to get signed, they provide a wide array of items to get autographed.  They also have an informative setup showing autograph seekers where to go for each athlete.

Card Show with the Steelers

The Colonial Park Mall located in Harrisburg, PA was having a card show this weekend with some Pittsburgh Steelers there to sign autographs.  I decided to go since it isn’t that long of a drive.  

The show itself was a lot bigger than what I had anticapated.  I recognized some of the dealers that have been attending local shows for years.  If you were a Phillies or Steelers fan, there was a ton of stuff for you.  The promotor for the show was CAC-Shows.  They do a lot of cards shows and autograph signings in Pennsylvania and Maryland.  I believe this was the first CAC-Show I have attended.  It wasn’t very crowded, not even when the autograph guests arrived.

Two Pittsburgh Steelers were scheduled to sign autographs, but when I got there three showed up: Levon Kirkland, Lawrence Timmons, and Michael Merriweather.  All of them were really nice and glad to talk with their fans.  I got Merriweather and Kirkland to sign my football.

 

Michael Merriweather was a linebacker for the Steelers from 1982 – 1987 and a 3x Pro Bowler

 

Levon Kirkland was a linebacker with the Steelers from 1992 – 2000 and a 2x Pro Bowler

 

Merriweather, Timmons, and Kirkland

 

Updated picture of my football signed by: Greg Pruitt, Larry Little, Paul Krause, Michael Merriweather, and Levon Kirkland

 

I did make some purchases while I was there.  Here is a video recap of what I pulled and picked up.  Browsing the tables, I did find a Harry Kalas 2005 UD Sweet Spot autograph, but didn’t buy it because of the $125.00 price.  I’m probably better off getting one on eBay.

Overall I think it was a good show and I plan to attend more in the future.  Many of the dealers had stuff I liked, and getting autographs and photos with former Steelers is always great.

Card Show This Weekend

This week while driving home from school, I went past the mall and saw on the marquee out front that they are having another card show this weekend.  This is their third show this year which is great, but a little unusual.  In the past, they might have had a show once a year.  I guess these shows really bring customers into the mall.  I know that one of my local dealers will be there and always has a nice selection of single cards and boxes to buy.  I’ll be looking for some Donruss Classics boxes to break.  Thats my favorite product right now.  These shows are great for finding Phillies cards.  Last time I was at this show I found a Gary Maddox game used bat, which isn’t worth much at all but rarely shows up for sale on eBay, for only $5.00.  You never know what you might find.