It’s the life of a nomad. Josh Roth is the portrait of the character in card collecting known as a Flipper. He spent part of his week in the familiar surroundings of a card show, making deals. This time, it was the biggest stage of all: the National Sports Collectors Convention in Rosemont, IL. “One-hundred percent a flipper,” he says before … [Read more...]
Memories of the National: When Brien Taylor Was the Toast of Anaheim
It’s not exactly a Tale of Two Cities, because Anaheim is the only city involved. But it is certainly a Tale of Two Nationals. I have been to three Nationals in Anaheim – 1991, 1996 and 2000. When Anaheim first hosted the National in 1985, I didn’t even know there was such a thing. I also missed out on the 2006 National, which was the last one held on the west coast, just … [Read more...]
Editor’s Blog: Huge Turnout Means Variety of Sales at National Sports Collectors Convention
There are apparently a lot of sports collectors on vacation this week. On an otherwise ordinary summer Thursday afternoon in the Chicago area, thousands of folks you’d think would normally be working somewhere else turned out for the first full day of the 2021 NSCC. From the conversations to the glazed looks to the uncertainty over where things were located and how they … [Read more...]
Collectors, Dealers Converge on the National for Their Own Special Reasons
The reasons for coming were as varied as the people attending the 2021 National Sports Collectors Convention. After two years of waiting, it was time for the hobby's biggest event once again. Many think it will be the biggest show ever. Collectors, dealers, auction companies and everyone else inside was more than eager for the afternoon opening. Some come with … [Read more...]
Ohtani’s All-Star Week Turned More Fans Into Collectors
The love fest in Denver is over, the dust has settled, and most of the players have returned to sea level. But not before Major League Baseball hosted a Home Run Derby and All-Star Game that did exactly what the game needed and the hobby was hoping for. In other words, it was a celebration of collecting, a celebration of the best young players in the game, and it was a … [Read more...]
Notes: Spencer Rattler to Sign at NSCC; Gehrig Bat Coming, too; Big Offer for PSA 10 ’52 Mantle
In an era where college athletes can now make money from their name, it was only a matter of time before a well-known player agreed to a public autograph session for more than just a little rent money. Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler, one of the top contenders for the 2021 Heisman Trophy, will be the first. He’s signed a deal to appear at the National Sports … [Read more...]
Acuña Injury Has Ripple Effect With Investors, Collectors
Long-time hobby veteran Jeff Morris takes over the Editor's Blog with some thoughts on superstar players, cards and injuries. My mind went down a rabbit hole on Saturday night and I thought about the worst trade I had ever made as a collector. I have been an avid collector, as well as a hobby and industry veteran, for more than 50 years but this one goes way back. It was … [Read more...]
Notes: Washington Shop Burglary; Yelich Gift; Keeping the Hobby Affordable, Topps Truck
Another hobby shop burglary—this time in the Pacific Northwest. Someone broke into On The Marq Sports Cards in Kennewick, WA last Thursday and stole thousands of dollars worth of singles and unopened material. There’s video of the burglary, images of the suspect and even some surveillance photos of his beat up car, so there are good leads to work with. A … [Read more...]
Jackpot: Old Storage Unit Buy Surrenders a Gem
Sometimes spending that extra five bucks is worth it. Just ask Sandy Healy. The New Hampshire realtor and her husband opted to outbid another person at a storage unit auction in Nashua eight years ago. They made the buy because Sandy’s husband saw the word “Bowman” on one of the storage boxes inside the unit and recognized it as a baseball card … [Read more...]
The Rollercoaster Ride of the 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan PSA 10
The price fluctuations for Michael Jordan rookies, especially the coveted Gem Mint graded versions, have been a wild ride over the last 16 months or so, offering a stark glimpse at what can happen when euphoria takes hold in a certain market. The "Old" Days On January 21, 2020, a PSA 10 Jordan rookie card sold for $39,600. It was a strong sale, but generally in line with … [Read more...]