If you can navigate your way through autograph seekers, vintage card enthusiasts and the dozens (it feels like dozens) of companies doing live case breaks, you never know what you might find at the annual National Sports Collectors Convention. And while that’s not the most flattering lede ever…I love The National. Really…I do. It’s pretty fantastic and two years ago, I took … [Read more...]
ARod Joins HOFers on 2017 NSCC Autograph Signers List
Collectors who’ve attended the National Sports Collectors Convention in the past will see some familiar names in the autograph pavilion when the show opens this summer. Tri-Star Productions announced the initial group of signers Wednesday, one that includes Hall of Fame players from all four major sports. One notable signer we haven’t seen before is Alex Rodriguez. … [Read more...]
NSCC Hotel Bookings Open
There are over 100,000 hotel rooms in Chicago, but a much smaller number within walking distance of the Donald Stephens Convention Center, home of this year’s National Sports Collectors Convention. The NSCC reserves large blocks of rooms within a mile or so of the facility but if 2017 is anything like 2015, some of the prime locations will fill up before the show opens … [Read more...]
Goldin Auctions Summer Events Net $4.4 Million in Sales
Andre Dawson’s 1987 NL MVP award sold for $117,855 as Goldin Auctions closed out its 2015 Summer Auction over the weekend. The second of two sections closed early Sunday with items from the Hall of Famer’s personal collection among several hundred items up for bid. A week earlier, Goldin sold dozens of high-end items in a live auction at the National Sports Collectors … [Read more...]
Ramblings: My National Experience
The good news for dealers at this year’s National Sports Collectors Convention was this show appeared to be more crowded than any I have attended in the past 10 years or so. I kept bumping into people and that was because yes the floor was constantly busy. Most dealers did report very good sales and at least one reported actually selling everything he brought. Every year I … [Read more...]
Editor’s Notes: National Notes, MJ Fleer Pack to Re-Pack?
The 2016 National Sports Collectors Convention is set for August 3-8 at the Atlantic City Convention Center. It’ll be the first time there since 2003 and the third overall. National organizers typically don't release attendance numbers but indicated to us Monday they were "ecstatic" about the number of collectors who made their way to the Stephens Convention Center last … [Read more...]
Editor’s Blog: Lights Out at the National
The National Sports Collectors Convention wasn't scheduled to end until 4 PM Sunday, but Mother Nature tried to change that. Chicago was in the bullseye of a phenomenon midwesterners know all too well this time of year. Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Cook county including downtown Chicago until 3pm! Get indoors! #lolla2015 pic.twitter.com/7RMaFtYnJA — Cheryl Scott … [Read more...]
National ’15 News and Notes: Friday Edition
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 … [Read more...]
News & Notes from the 2015 National
It's pretty clear the National Sports Collectors Convention is a summer vacation destination. Thursday was the first full day of the show and a look at the crowd that was lined up for the 10 AM opening made for a pretty impressive sight. Weekday or not, the dealer booths saw pretty solid traffic. National officials called it the "largest Thursday crowd in recent … [Read more...]
1939 Goudey Premium Find
SGC graders have been busy during the National, reviewing submissions from collectors and dealers. One such group required a lot of oversize holders. Pennsylvania dealer Dimitri Livshin of The Grandstand in Pennsylvania dropped off a fresh-to-the-hobby find of 1939 Goudey Premium cards. Stack would actually be the more appropriate word. The collection of virtually … [Read more...]