TREASURE HUNT: Shopping for cool cards, sports memorabilia on the show floor of The National

After a few hours at the 2024 National Sports Collectors Convention, I knew there was one card I had to find: the multi-colored 1975 Topps Bert Campaneris gem, with “AL All-Star Shortstop” in the lower right corner and the former Oakland A’s shortstop sitting on a dugout step.

That is one of the first cards I recall being thrilled with when I scored it in packs. It is now sold for, oh, $1 or $2, though was recently listed on eBay for $550 in a PSA 9 grade.

I also thought I needed to buy one of those mega-sturdy Zion Cases like the thousands of cool kids, er collectors, I saw in Cleveland toting around their priceless cards with countless crisp $100 bills inside. Yep, the Zion-toting young collectors are one of my lasting memories from the 44th National, which drew a record crowd (100,000-plus) of collectors for the five-day Super Bowl of Sports Memorabilia. I laughed every time I saw a 12-year-old collector walking the show floor or setting up shop during one of the Trade Nights, with their Zion Slab Cases and countless oh-so-cool cards.

Also See: Kids steal the show at The National

Memories were plentiful at The National this year and every year. Seeing longtime friends who I only see every summer at The National; the throng of collectors, crossing every demographic possible; meeting new friends; and of course, the collectibles.

If only I had a spare $1 million or more:

• 1985 Topps Hulk Hogan card, signed and graded PSA 10: $400.

• WWF Pro Wrestling Stars full box: $2,400.

• Steph Curry 2010 Playoff National Treasure card, graded 8: $17,500.

• Mickey Mantle-signed baseballs: $850, $1,100, and $1,500, all from the same dealer.

Also See: How record National crowd ‘broke’ Cleveland

• Complete baseball sets for $10 each: 1990 Donruss, 1988 Donruss and 1988 Fleer, among others.

• Display case of T202 cards (PSA 5): $275 each.

• Single-signed footballs: Troy Aikman ($350), Raymond Berry ($250), John Elway ($400).

• Jim Brown-signed football with “HOF 71”: $500. Jim Brown-signed Cleveland Browns mini helmet: $350.

• Single-signed baseballs: Duke Snider, Johnny Mize and Al Kaline ($100 each); Leon Day ($200); Bill Dickey ($450); and George Kell ($75).

• Mystery slab packs: $30 each. Mystery packs: $10.

• 1960-75 baseball complete sets: $2,800 for the 1960; $850 for and the 1975.

• Brett Favre-signed and framed jersey: $750.

• 2024 Leaf Metal Pickleball Box: $135.

• Single-signed full-size NFL Helmets: Joe Montana ($550), Gale Sayers ($500), Brett Favre ($400), O.J. Simpson ($1,000).

MY NATIONAL EXPERIENCE: Big deals, fond memories on show floor of The National 

•Johnny Unitas-signed full-size helmet: $1,400.

• Jim Brown-signed full-size helmet: $1,000.

• 8-by-10 plaques: $25 each.

• Mark McGwire-signed and framed jersey: $395.

• 2019 Panini National Treasures Football unopened box: $2,350.

• 1959 Topps Baseball set: $3,500.

• Unsigned baseballs: 2024 All-Star Game ($29), official MLB ($25), Hall of Fame ($32) and Gold Glove ($22).

• Saw a dealer selling Degree Deodorant for $125.

• Ricky Williams weed jersey: $450. (They should have priced it at $420 for national marijuana day on 4/20.)

Also See: The art of making a sports card deal at The National 

• Stone Cold Steve Austin-signed and framed 16-by-20 photo: $350.

• Joe Montana-signed and framed 16-by-20 photo: $225.

• Pro Football Hall of Fame helmet with 28 autographs, including Jim Brown, Ted Hendricks, Elvin Bethea, Carl Eller and Marv Levy: $1,100.

• 1985 WWF Wrestling Superstars sealed figurine of “Macho Man” Randy Savage: $900.

• Jimmy Buffett-signed 8-by-10 photo authenticated by JSA: $550.

• Beautiful Michael Jordan painting by artist Murray Henderson, including an embedded Jordan sneaker: $3,250 price tag.

Also See: The coolest things we saw at The National 

• Ohio State helmet: $150.

• Bill Russell and Red Auerbach signed and framed 16-by20 photo: $695.

• Caitlin Clark-signed basketball from Panini: $1,200.

• Bob Uecker 1963 Topps card: $60.

• 1949 Jackie Robinson 1949 comic book: $1,200.

• LeBron James Team USA signed jersey: $8,200.

I was impressed with a dealer’s booth with many showcases filled with, ugh, one card. For instance, there was a 2001 Playoff Contenders signed Drew Brees card, graded 10, for $20,000. Same price in different case for a 2005 SP Authentic Aaron Rodgers-signed patch card, graded 9. Then there was the 2018 Panini National Treasures autographed patch Lamar Jackson card for $75,000.

Also See: Autograph signers delight fans, create priceless memories at The National

• Wayne Gretzky-signed and framed 16-by-20 photo: $1,495.

• Sammy Sosa-signed baseball: $90. Paying more in the autograph pavilion and getting to meet the legendary Chicago Cubs slugger: well worth the extra funds.

For $9,750 you could have purchased a box of 2017 Panini National Treasures Football in hopes of scoring a Patrick Mahomes card or two. Or a 2017 Playoff Contenders Football box for $2,750, or a full case for $29,500.

• 1984 Topps Baseball wax pack: $12.

• Signed baseballs: Bobby Bonds ($140), Wade Boggs ($80), Al Bumbry ($40), Robinson Cano ($80) and Rod Carew ($90).

• More signed baseballs: Denny Doyle ($70), Jermaine Dye ($45), Peter Gammons ($80), Red Schoendienst ($80), Kent Tekulve ($40) and Stephen Strasburg ($135).

• Signed 8-by-10 photos: Don Sutton, Phil Niekro and Lou Piniella ($20 each); Dave Stewart and Johnny Mize ($15 each); Jimmy Wynn ($10); and Yogi Berra ($100).

• Nick Saban signed 8-by-10 photo: $119.

• 1986 Fleer Basketball complete set with stickers (PSA9): $50,000.

I’m content with my ’75 Topps Bert Campaneris card and I’m already looking forward to the 2025 National in Chicago. 

My wish list includes unique finds from Wilbur Wood, Walter Payton, Bobby Knight, Kevin Nash, Mark Aguirre, and soccer legend Pato Margetic.