It’s the only card show in North America that can get away with opening the doors on a Wednesday afternoon.
Opening day at the National Sports Collectors Convention wasn’t always been conducted in the middle of the work week but when three or four days isn’t enough, you call it a ‘sneak peek’ and let the always anxious crowds push in.
And boy did they push in on Wednesday.
The lines in the lobby started long and grew longer.
When the doors opened to VIP guests at 3:30, the fairly quiet show floor quickly became a sea of people.
Truth be told, a large amount of cash had already changed hands before the public entered the lobby. Dealer set-up days on Monday and Tuesday always results in a lot of transactions. Some of it is arranged ahead of time, the rest is spur of the moment wheeling and dealing under the din of noise from others moving in, corporate booths being built and carts being rolled across the concrete.
As the week progresses, collectors from just about every state and multiple countries will make the pilgrimage to see the annual showcase of sports stuff.
Hotels within a couple of miles have been sold out for months.
The show is massive in size. There are two rooms, one on each side of the lobby for a total of 600,000-square-feet. We knew that going in but the size is simply overwhelming, even for those who remember the off the rails granddaddy of them all, the ’91 Anaheim show.
It’s the one show where no matter what you collect, you’ll likely find multiple vendors selling it.
If you want to see a T206 Honus Wagner in person, you can usually do it at the National and this year is no exception, thanks to Mile High Card Company.
Honus in the house#NSCC23 pic.twitter.com/eplY0g1HO3
— Sports Collectors Daily (@SportsCollector) July 26, 2023
Shopping for a 1952 Topps Mantle or a Goudey Ruth? You’ll have choices.
There are oodles of Ohtani and mountains of Mahomes at every price range you can imagine. There are millions of cards that cost a buck or less, too.
And where else are you going to see a display of 30 PSA Gem Mint 10 Michael Jordan rookie cards?
They’re not worth quite what they were the last time the show was here in 2021 but still…
Auction houses try to outdo each other with their displays of high dollar and rare pieces that you can bid on. It’s no accident many of them conduct auctions during the show.
Grading companies are ready to take your raw cards and turn them into organized commodities—within an hour or two if you’re willing to pay for the privilege.
The card makers show off their newest products and offer show-exclusive redemption packs for those who buy boxes.
Wednesday was just the warmup. Thursday, Friday and Saturday are when the big crowds come. With 200,000 extra square-feet of space, there should be a little more room to navigate. Just don’t forget to jot down that booth that had something you want.
You’ll never find it if you don’t.
For full coverage of the show up to now and all week long, check out our special section here.
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