Sports Memorabilia Dealers
Houston TRISTAR event ‘strong show’ for collectors, autograph seekers
Art Smith from Florida-based Sports Cards Plus didn’t mince words when asked about the TRISTAR Productions Collectors Show Feb. 3-5: He called it one of the best Houston shows in TRISTAR’S 37-year run promoting shows in the market.
“There were sales across the board: set-builders, graded cards, wax, singles, autographs and more,” said Smith, who has sold collectibles since 1966. “I knew it would be a good show but didn’t expect it to be this good.
“The collectors were spending money and they were polite. It was just a great weekend.”
Smith, who specializes in the vintage market, sold a 1958 Topps Baseball set at the show. He said demand was strong for Mickey Mantle cards, as always, and surprisingly strong also for Minnie Minoso and Hoyt Wilhelm. He even sold a 1952 Topps Minoso rookie card.
“The crowd was strong and consistent all weekend,” Smith said.
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Jay Kasper from Texas-based Jay’s Emporium was just as pleased with the Houston show.
“I was worried before the show that the economy might affect the show, but it really was a great show,” he said.
Jay and Mary Kasper were presented with TRISTAR’S annual STARRY Award, given to an exemplary show dealer. The award dates to 1996 and past recipients have included Roger Neufeldt, Bill Goodwin, Lou Scalia, Marty Davis, Randy Cook and Rich Altman, among others.
The 2022 finalists were Roland Belcher (Gulf South Baseball Cards), Mary Perkins (Crescent Collectibles) and Chip Wiley (Gateway Stamp).
“I’m very honored to win the award,” said Kasper, who has sold souvenirs at TRISTAR shows almost every year since 1987 and has been in the sports collectibles business since 1979.
Kasper noted strong Houston sales of unopened packs and boxes, plus non-card memorabilia. He also sold an unopened 1985 Topps Wrestling box, “which I didn’t expect to sell at this show,” he said.
The three-day show featured daily autograph signers, including: David Ortiz, Julius Erving, Robert Parish, Leroy Butler, Bob Lilly, Ivan Rodriguez and others. Also signing were: Hunter Brown, Ryan Pressly, David Hensley, Chas McCormick, Doug Hodo, Ivan Melendez, Dameon Pierce, Jalen Pietre, Jalen Milroe, Jay Novacek, Charlie Ward and others.
“The event was really well attended, partially due to the fact that there just are not as many large collectibles shows as there used to be,” said TRISTAR Vice President Bobby Mintz. “There was a strong, well-rounded lineup and the show was busy all day on Sunday, until closing at 5 p.m.
“This definitely was one of the bigger shows here in about 10 years.”
About 4,500 attended the show, which featured about 400 dealer tables and dealer representation from 25 states. PSA was on-site for grading and JSA for authenticating.
“The February 2022 show, coming out of the pandemic, was really strong. Same for this year. The last two [February] shows have been really, really strong,” Mintz said. “I think a lot of that is attributed to how hot the industry is right now. People now look at our collectibles industry more as assets, not just collectibles. People really look at the investment side of this business. There’s a lot of interest in buying, selling and trading more than ever before.”
The top autograph signers were Ortiz, current and former Houson Astros Ryan Pressly, Jeff Bagwell, and Craig Biggio, NBA legend Julius Erving and Houston Rockets player Alperen Sengun.
Cast members from the hit movie “The Sandlot” also were popular signers, and several athletes wanted to meet the cast.
Many also wanted to meet Ortiz, such as Astros players Chas McCormick and Hunter Brown, who both wanted autographs from Ortiz, which he obliged.
“Dr. J is so classy, so wonderful. He treats everyone so well, as does Big Papi,” Mintz said. “They are perfect guests for autograph shows because they are so nice to everyone and they truly care about the autographs, what pens to use, etc.
“Leroy Butler was a great guest, too.”
Rick Owens of RGO Sports ran a three-day auction with three items tied to Dale Earnhardt and 97 others tied to Nolan Ryan. All but five of the Ryan items sold.
“I was very pleased; Texas collectors definitely love Nolan Ryan,” Owens said of the auction that featured items formerly part of Ben Fletcher’s Nolan Ryan Collection.
There were many rare, 1-of-1 items. There were bats, gloves, bobbleheads and even knives — all tied to Ryan.
“Anything Ryan-related tied to the Texas Rangers or Houston Rangers sold very well, much better than anything tied to the California Angels or New York Mets,” Owens said.
Here’s a look at some of the most interesting collectibles spotted at the show:
• Kyle Tucker-autographed baseball, $175.
• Kyle Tucker-autographed and framed jersey with two photos, $550.
• Alex Bregman-autographed 2022 World Series baseball, $325.
• Craig Biggio-autographed batting helmet, $350.
• Ken Griffey Jr.-autographed, framed Seattle jersey, $1,600.
• Larry Bird-autographed, framed Boston Celtics jersey, $900.
• Hulk Hogan autographed, framed yellow Hulkamania shirt, $500.
• John Cena-autographed, framed shirt, $600.
• Floyd Mayweather autographed, framed boxing trunks with two photos, $750.
• Mike Tyson-autographed, framed boxing trunks with two photos, $500.
• Earl Campbell-autographed retro Houston Oilers full-size helmet, $200.
• Andre Dawson-autographed baseball, $75.
• Pete Rose-autographed baseball with “Charley Hustle” inscription, $80.
ª Michael Keaton-autographed 16-by-20 photo, as Batman, $899.99.
• Michael J. Fox-autographed 16-by-20 photo, from “Back To The Future,” $399.99.
• Hoverboard, signed by Fox, from “Back To The Future,” $599.99.
• George Halas-autographed 8-by-10 photo, $549.99
• Jackie Robinson-autographed 8-by-10 photo, $4,499.99
• Roger Maris single-signed baseball, $1,999.99.
• Brian Bosworth autographed Oklahoma helmet, with multiple inscriptions, $275.
• Jerry Seinfeld-signed New York Mets jersey, $999.99.
• Jason Alexander-signed New York Yankees jersey, $399.99.
• Full ticket from Cal Ripken Jr.’s 3,000th hit game, $15 or 2-for-$25.
• Pele signed 16-by-20 photo, with PSA/DNA certificate, $589.
• Donald Trump-signed, framed MAGA sign, $1,000.
• Unopened box of 2021-22 Panini Select basketball, $675.
• Unopened box of 2022-23 Upper Deck NHL Artifacts, $140.
• Unopened box of 2020-21 Upper Deck SP Authentic Hockey, $290.
• Chuck Norris-autographed cowboy hat, $330.
• Full-size, autographed football helmets: Gale Sayers, $350; Len Dawson, $275; Barry Sanders, $450; Patrick Mahomes, $180; Jim Brown, $900.
• Miscellaneous replica jerseys, jackets and tank-tops, $40.
• Johnny Manziel-autographed, framed Texas A&M jersey, $399.
• Jeremy Pena-autographed, framed jersey with two photos, $799.
• Jeremy Pena-autographed, framed 16-by-20 photo with 22WSMVP inscription, $450.
• Jari Kurri-autographed Edmonton Oilers jersey, $499.
• Tom Brady-autographed football, $3,599.
• 1990 Leaf uncut sheet of baseball cards, $100.
• Replica Lombardi Trophy with artwork of Roger Staubach, signed by Staubach, $399. Or $100 more for same souvenir of John Elway.
• Case Keenum-signed 16-by-20 photo, $30.
• Joe DiMaggio-signed, framed 8-by-10 photo, $499. For Mickey Mantle, it was $100 more.
• Signed full-size football helmets: Ezekiel Elliott, $599; Eric Dickerson, $399; Jim Kelly, $499; Ja’Marr Chase, $499; George Kittle, $499; Tony Dorsett, $399; Baker Mayfield, $599.00
• Bobbleheads: JJ Watt, $65; Rudy Tomjanovich, $50; Jeremy Lin, $35; J.R. Richard, $35; Delmon Young, $10.
• Dusty Baker-signed, framed 16-by-20 photo, $225.
• Megan Rapinoe 2011 Panini Women’s World Cup sticker (PSA 6), $40.
• Cristiano Ronaldo-autographed, framed jersey, $2,000.
• J.R. Richard-autographed jersey, $100.
• HOUSTON STRONG pins and buttons, $3 or 2-for-$5.
• Cynthia Cooper-autographed WNBA Ball, $80.
• Autographed basketballs: Tracy McGrady, $250; Robert Horry, $80; Clyde Drexler, $150; Jalen Green, $250.
• Autographed jerseys: Michael Jordan, $6,995; LeBron James, $5,995; Alex Rodriguez, $575; Troy Aikman, $495; Ken Griffey Jr., $600; Mario Lemieux, $1,095.
• Card boxes filled with $1 card. My first pick was a 2004 Bowman card of Chris Burke, followed by a 1994 Topps Stadium Club card of Mark McGwire.
• Game-used bases from Alex Bregman’s 100th home run game or Dusty Baker’s 2,000th win, $500 each.
• Bernie Carbo or Jimmy Piersall autographed Boston Red Sox hat, from Fleer, $60 each.
