The 2012 Ephrata Rec Center Show with Larry Bowa

For 33 years the Ephrata Lions Club has been holding their annual sports card & memorabilia show at the local recreational center in Ephrata, PA.  I’ve been attending it for the last 15 years or so.  Its always been a good show packed with Phillies stuff and bobbleheads.

The show opened up at 8:30am this morning and there was nice sized line to get in.  I’ve seen bigger lines there before, but it was a line.  The show got fuller as it got closer to 11:00am when former Phillies shortstop and Manager Larry Bowa arrived to sign autographs.  While waiting in line, we got talking to a gentleman who handles Rocky Colavito’s fan mail.  Colavito played for a variety of teams including the Indians, Tigers, Athletics, White Sox, Dodgers, and Yankees.  He was also a 9x All-Star and now resides in Berks County.  We talked to the gentleman for awhile about baseball and some of the minor league games we go see during the summer.  He attends shows looking for Colavito stuff.  Before going into the show, he said that he would send us a couple of tickets to a Reading Phillies game this year.  Sounds cool!  You never know who your’re going to meet while waiting in line.

Larry Bowa arrived early and started signing on-time.  I had ticket #30, but was the second person to get his autograph.

Now for the pickups…

Jamie Moyer 2007 Philadelphia Phillies stadium giveaway bobblehead – I always come out of this show with a bobblehead.  Can you believe Moyer will be the Rockies 2nd starter this season?  That man is a machine.  I hope he gets to pitch in Philadelphia this year.

Joe Paterno 1997 Press Pass Red Zone #48 – This is the first Paterno ’97 Press Pass card I’ve seen in person.  It was pulled from production back in 1997, but a few made their way into boxes.  It was supposedly removed from the production line due to a licensing dispute.  At least that’s what the public was told.  I think I got a deal on this card too – $30.00.  The only ones I could find up for sale online were the gold base and blue parallel.

I also busted (2) packs of 2012 Topps Tribute Baseball.  I didn’t hit anything big, just a Mike Minor auto #’ed/99, and a Troy Tulowitzki jersey #’ed/99.

Around 2:00pm the Lions Club held an auction.  This year they had some interesting memorabilia.  I liked the old baseball bank.  The weirdest thing I saw on the auction block was a box filled with 50-card sets based on Amish Life.  They were made by a company called GNM.  I can officially say everything has been placed on a trading card now.  I have to get me some of those 🙂

I can see it now, 2012 Topps Five Star – Amish Life Edition.  If they really did that, collectors would have a cow…haha!

CBS should have taken a look at this show, because it was quite packed in my opinion.  Good news everyone!  The hobby is still alive 🙂

Ephrata Rec. Center 2010 Show Information

For those collectors that live in Central Pennsylvania one of the best sports card shows takes place once a year in Ephrata at their Recreational Center.  When I first started collecting this was the big show of the year for me.  Its still a very good show, especially for Phillies fans.  I can’t recall another show that has so much Phillies stuff.  Next year it will take place on Saturday, March 27, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Baseball Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins will be signing autographs that day for collectors.  For more information about the show click here.

Ephrata Rec Center Sports Card Show Report

Its not the size of the show, its the content that counts.  This is one simple phrase that I could use to sum up the 2009 Ephrata Recreational Center Sports Card & Memorabilia Show put together by the Lions Club.  

The show opened Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. and as I was pulling into the parking space I could see the line going all the way out the front door.  The line moved pretty fast and within a few minutes I had my hand stamped and purchased an autograph ticket.  After attending the Philadelphia Show and the 2007 National, I knew this show wouldn’t seem as big.  Before making any purchases I browsed around the 30 plus tables of cards and memorabilia.  The major reason I go to this show is because it always has a ton of Phillies stuff, and this time it really delivered.  

Check out some of the Phillies and other single cards I picked up for my personal collection.  I did bust a few packs, but after seeing all the Phillies stuff I decided to stick with singles.

Around 11:00 a.m. they started calling ticket numbers for autographs.  This year the autograph setup ran mucher smoother unlike two years ago.  Darren Daulton was signing autographs in the old room they use to hold the card show in.  I think the last time I was in that room was 11 years ago when I got Garo Yepremian to sign my Dolphins pennant.  Having the autograph guest outside of the card show and in another room, really helped keep the traffic down around the show entrance.  

Photos:

 

The line to get in went all the way out the front door.  Waiting in line may not seem fun for some people, but I think this is a great sign that so many people still enjoy this hobby.

 

Inside the show there were about three dozen dealers.

 

Here is Darren Daulton signing my bat.  He has to be one of the nicest athletes I have ever met.  He really enjoyed talking with his fans and taking photos.  He wanted to know who else signed my bat.

 

Championship ring

 

As I was passing by one dealer, they were putting these bobble heads out for display.  I had to pick one up for my collection.

 

How could I not pass this up?  Its a dual bobble head of Harry Kalas and Richie Ashburn.  I also purchased a 2004 Philadelphia Phillies Inaugural Citizens Bank Park pin & 2008 World Series Champions button.

Overall, I think this was a successful show, especially if you’re a Phillies fan.  I can’t wait to go back next year.

The next event Sports Card Info will be attending is the Tailgate at the Dome dinner with former Penn State stars Blair Thomas, Shane Conlan, D.J. Dozier, and Kenny Jackson on April 23, 2009.  Be ready for more photos!