Burbank Sports Cards, which bills itself as the "world's largest sports card store", reached a milestone over the weekend. The company’s eBay store now has two million unique items listed. Remarkable, considering that just 22 months ago, they had…none. Owner Rob Veres, who has owned the business since the late 1980s, says he invested in several high-speed scanners and new … [Read more...] about Business: Burbank Hits 2 Million Cards; Upper Deck Signs Shaq
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Ramblings: Reader Reaction on Card Shops
Time to once again open up the cyber mailbag. Last month, I wrote about ways for card store owners to adapt to the times. As a hobby, the innovation we all seek is sometimes within ourselves as we look for ways to expand to the wider audience of general sports fans. Since card store owners tend to be entrepreneurs, reader Doug Duker is thinking about various ways shops … [Read more...] about Ramblings: Reader Reaction on Card Shops
Collector Finds Career He Can Finally Embrace
He was always a collector, but now Kevin Ivory is a retailer. It's a jump a lot of people say they'd love to make, but the Kitchener, Ontario resident made it happen thanks to a bit of desperation. He's also survived some trials and tribulations. Before opening All Star Collectibles, which carries cards, autographs, memorabilia and other items, he spent time in a wide … [Read more...] about Collector Finds Career He Can Finally Embrace
Q&A With a Hobby Distributor
In preparation for the 2012 Industry Summit, host Kevin Isaacson is conducting periodic “5 Questions’’ segments with leaders from all segments of the sports collectible, entertainment and gaming industries. This week’s Q&A is with Lloyd Kee, principal of GTS Distribution, a wholesaler of sports collectible and gaming products. GTS employees more than 50 full-time … [Read more...] about Q&A With a Hobby Distributor
Card Shop Owners React to Black Friday Promotions
Industry Summit retailers had predictably strong reactions to Panini’s first-of-its-kind Black Friday trading card promotion, ranging from ecstatic to nonplussed. Panini America created more than 20,000 promotional packs for Black Friday, providing independent hobby retailers with an innovative incentive to purchase and market slower-moving Panini releases. Analysts … [Read more...] about Card Shop Owners React to Black Friday Promotions
Fun, Games…and Business for Leafs’ Photographer
A new NHL season is underway and while new players dot the team roster, there's one constant with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Their team photographer will be behind the glass, just as he has been since 1977. Graig Abel has shot thousands of photos during his tenue including action shots of Hall of Famers, posed shots for hockey cards and postcards and whatever else he … [Read more...] about Fun, Games…and Business for Leafs’ Photographer
Rich’s Ramblings: Of Old Willow Grove Days
by Rich Klein In many ways, these have been some of the most enjoyable articles I have ever written. I have enjoyed reading your comments and to those who have emailed me, thank you so much. And to those who are enjoying these rambles through time, there is plenty more to ramble about in the near future. One of my other interests involves performing some work for my … [Read more...] about Rich’s Ramblings: Of Old Willow Grove Days
Upcoming Sports Memorabilia Reality Show Looking for Items
The producers of History Channel's hit series, Pawn Stars and American Restoration are currently casting for a new series based in Baltimore that will be “100% dedicated to sports memorabilia and the people who collect it”. New York-based Left Field Pictures is looking for collectors and others who are looking to sell pieces of memorabilia that have a backstory and … [Read more...] about Upcoming Sports Memorabilia Reality Show Looking for Items
Bryant Signs Stacks of Cards for Panini
There's no such thing as complete down time for elite pro athletes, but summer is as close as it gets for Kobe Bryant. Last week, he found time to sign hundreds of cards for Panini America's upcoming National Treasures and Elite Black Box insert cards Brian Bayne, Panini's Memorabilia Business Manager, is the guy who rounds up autographs from Panini pitchmen like Bryant, … [Read more...] about Bryant Signs Stacks of Cards for Panini
Smaller Sports Memorabilia Dealers Battle the Big Boys at the NSCC
Jim Miller has been buying and selling sports memorabilia since the 1980s, but his trip to Chicago last week was just the second time he'd set up at the National Sports Collectors Convention. Last year's event in Baltimore was his first. “The overhead is absolutely staggering, especially for someone like me who drives from the east coast," said the Trenton, New Jersey … [Read more...] about Smaller Sports Memorabilia Dealers Battle the Big Boys at the NSCC