Attendance at this year’s National continued to be very strong on Friday. While no figures are made available during the show, it wouldn’t be surprising if this year’s event is among the most well attended since the wild and wooly early 1990s.
The crowd is an interesting mix. Vintage card collectors and investors, autograph collectors, those looking for certain memorabilia items, those who spend their time in the autograph area and, of course, those chasing the latest products from the card companies.
One of the best was Panini’s free kids break. About 30 youngsters sat cross-legged on the floor at the company booth as run by Bryan Gavin of Ultimate Box Breaks ripped into football card boxes. Panini will hold several of those breaks during the week and while more of the same is needed, it’s a great idea to try and get the new generation interested in the hobby at no cost.
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Blowout Cards is again holding its raffle drawing. Pick up a ticket at the company’s booth and you have a chance to win boxes, cases and today, even entry into Panini’s pricey VIP party. A big crowd gathered on Friday afternoon.
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Topps held pack wars in which collectors holding the card with the tallest player, heaviest player, etc., got special prizes. The crowd was into it:
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Back in May, we brought you the story of the New Jersey man who found a stash of old baseball cards stuck inside the walls of his home. Dating to about 1920, the strip cards were discovered when he had to cut a hole in it to retrieve a cell phone he’d dropped into a gap while remodeling.
In all, there were 262 cards including five of Babe Ruth, multiple Hall of Famers and some featuring the 1919 Black Sox.
Just Collect revealed on Friday that they had purchased the collection from the homeowner, Rafael Torres. While most aren’t in the greatest shape, the find is one for the books. The cards will be coming to the company’s eBay auctions some time in the next few weeks.
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Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson has consigned items from his personal collection to Heritage Auctions.
The company had game jerseys, his major awards including Gold Gloves and other career memorabilia on display at its booth. No official word yet on when they’ll be up for auction.
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