The first one was held in a hotel ballroom in Los Angeles back in 1980 and no one was totally certain there would be another, but the 40th edition of the National Sports Collectors Convention kicks off Wednesday afternoon at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. The annual gathering of sports fans, collectors, dealers and other groups interested in … [Read more...]
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Bound for National Sports Collectors Convention? A Little Advice
It doesn't seem possible but the bulk of this story was originally written several years ago, just prior to the 2008 show in Chicago. "The National" is back for another go-round so it's a good time to post it again and add a few more hints to help you get the most out of the industry's biggest event. It's been around for going on since 1980, when a group of dealers … [Read more...]
Being Unconventional for the National Convention
The National Sports Collectors Convention is the “Super Bowl” of sports collectibles shows, maybe even more like “Super Bowl Week,” depending on how many days you might attend. As a veteran “floor-walker” of five National Sports Collectors Conventions (NSCC) I have come up with a shortlist of tips that can enhance your experience, if, at any point, you are looking to attend … [Read more...]
Notes: NSCC Hotel Booking Opens; Topps Transcendent Party
Collectors and exhibitors heading to the 39th National Sports Collectors Convention can now book their hotel rooms through the NSCC. Once again, Conference Housing is serving as the National's booking agent with discounted rooms available. The 2018 show is scheduled for Cleveland's I-X Center August 1-5. Unlike other venues that have hosted the … [Read more...]
REA’s Fall Auction Will Be Company’s Largest Ever
Collectors anticipating the Robert Edward Auctions Fall Auction might want to start doing a few wrist curls and some biceps work before it arrives on their doorstep. Scheduled to open for bidding October 6 and running through October 29, the catalog will include 2,800 items-- the most the company has ever offered. High-end Babe Ruth cards, a huge listing of rookie cards, … [Read more...]
NSCC Schedule Set Through 2020
The National Sports Collectors Convention will return to Atlantic City in 2020. On the heels of this year's annual event, show organizers have unveiled dates for the next three shows in the rotation with the New Jersey resort getting a second crack at hosting the event following last year's show at the city's convention center. “We are extremely excited the … [Read more...]
The National is a Show Within a Show
Once upon a time, it was a bunch of dealers and collectors in a big hotel ballroom with maybe a seminar or two tossed in. These days, it's a multi-faceted affair, catering to a hobby that's become different things to different people. Observe what happens inside the giant convention center where the National Sports Collectors Convention takes place and it's clear the hobby … [Read more...]
The National Continues to be a Family Affair
The 38th installment of The National Sports Collectors Convention has officially come to a close and (hopefully) everyone left Rosemont, IL with exactly what they were looking for. That said, if you weren’t among the lucky few that got to brush elbows with Jennifer Lopez while she was slumming it alongside her latest boytoy Alex Rodriguez or catch up with Los Angeles Lakers … [Read more...]
News and Notes from the 2017 National Sports Collectors Convention
The National Sports Collectors Convention wound to a close Sunday in Chicago. As is often the case, several dealers had packed up and left for home after the doors closed on Saturday evening, but this year they likely left some good money on the table. While show organizers have never released official attendance figures, it was clear to anyone who attended that … [Read more...]
The (Unofficial) Dress Code at The National Seems Oddly Familiar
While there’s not an official dress code at The National Sports Collectors Conference (because, c’mon…how could you realistically enforce it?), many of the attendees of the annual memorabilia supershow share the same eye for fashion. You know the look…baggy cargo shorts coupled with a mis-matched ballcap/jersey (or shersey) combo and, for some forward thinkers, a backpack to … [Read more...]
