Whether you’re heading back to school or looking for some fun office supplies I think we can all agree these pocket folders are freakin’ awesome.
I’m going to be dead honest. There really isn’t much to say about them. Pocket folders designed to look like giant Topps baseball cards. You could find them in a variety of stores between 1988 and 1990. We know those are the years they were available because 1988, 1989, and 1990 Topps baseball card designs have been used.
Without an official checklist its unclear if every card in each 1988, 1989, and 1990 set was turned into a pocket folder. You will find folders of stars such as Tony Gwynn and Mark McGwire. But then folders were also made for guys like Greg Walker and Dion James. Folders were not just limited to top name players.
These pocket folders are about as easy to find as their baseball card counterparts. Plenty of them floating around the secondary market.
Per an e-mail from the National Sports Collectors Convention, here is a list of the next three locations they plan to hold the show:
2023 Chicago (Rosemont) July 26-30, 2023
2024 Cleveland IX Center July 24-28, 2024
2025 Chicago (Rosemont) July 30-August 3, 2025
I’m glad to see that Atlantic City is off the list, and Cleveland is back on. Cleveland has always been my favorite location. Its possible I might even try to get back there in 2024.
Good luck to everyone attending the National Sports Collectors Convention this year in Atlantic City, NJ. It runs from July 27-31.
There are a lot of card shows held all over the country all year long, but in my opinion the National Sports Collectors Convention is the best. Others will argue with that thought and that’s ok. Its always had a little bit of everything for collectors. Looking for that $0.50 base card to complete a set? Need to get an item autographed? Interested in looking at museum quality cards and memorabilia? Want to voice your opinion on a topic directly to a card manufacturer or other business involved in the industry? These are all things you can do.
I will not be attending the show this year. In 2016 I went when it was held in Atlantic City, but I just decided I didn’t want to go through the travel process. Lets not forget the price of everything is through the roof as well. The Atlantic City Convention Center didn’t impress me very much either. I wasted a lot of power in my wheelchair going from the parking garage up to the area where the show was being held. Cleveland, OH will always be my favorite venue. Now that the I-X Center is back open for business, I hope the National Sports Collectors Convention considers placing them back in the rotation. The second you walk into the I-X Center the show is right there in front of you.
Content will not be in short supply. Each night I look forward to seeing what went on that specific day. Just don’t believe everything some of these “influencers” who have popped up over the last few years are telling you. They may make it look as if they’re living a high and mighty lifestyle, but so many of them are in debt up to their eyeballs just to keep their show going. Others will use undisclosed non-sports card related income to make it look as if flipping cards is their only job. Some will even arrange fake deals just for video views. A lot of manipulation can and does go on.
Cash is king. So take plenty of it. Dealers accept all types of payment methods, but cash is almost always preferred.
Topps usually holds a Q&A meeting after show hours one of the days. If you have a VIP or Media Pass I would recommend signing up for it ASAP. Typically only (150) spots are available. From my experience Media Pass holders can get in to the show well before VIPs. During this Q&A session you can learn a lot about what Topps has planned for the future. You can also voice your opinion on certain issues. At the conclusion Topps hands out a special card to everyone who attended.
If you’re looking to buy boxes and participate in some of the manufacturer’s wrapper redemption programs, I’d suggest checking out Marty’s Sports Card Exchange. I’ve always found his prices to be very decent. His booth can be located in the corporate area.
The five days will go quickly, but take time to soak it all in. Safe travels. Have fun. Good luck.
On December 27, 2007 Sports Card Info was launched. 14 years later it is still going strong. Countless box breaks and contests have taken place. Thousands of posts covering a wide range of topics.
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