Autographs
The ‘show within the show’: Observations from the show floor at The National
As I reflected on just how large The National has become, it just seems to continue to grow and grow. In the last couple of years, there has been what I call the “shows within the show.”
Last year The National promoters started an area on the second level that was for first-time vendors. This year they added two more rows for international dealers. All this was surrounded on three sides by corporate sponsors, giving it a feel of a totally different show.
To say the area was crowded would be an understatement, as it was really hard to get to the tables. Obviously, business was good for those in this areas.
TRADE NIGHTS
Trade Nights have been all the rage at card shows the past few years and The National was not an exception. Collectors started hanging out in the VIP Lounge a couple of years ago in Cleveland, trading and selling cards. Last year there was some of that going on in Chicago as well.
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This year, the lounge was about two-thirds full on Wednesday, full on Thursday, and by Friday afternoon it had spread into the lobby as collectors were setting up in the hallways leading from the show to the lounge itself.
There were a lot of young collectors showing off their graded cards and boxes to rip. It was nothing to see them open a box of cards, take three or four cards out to keep, then leave the rest on the table. This I put in the “show within the show” category as well.
OHTANI RULES
Mickey Mantle and Michael Jordan have long ruled the roost in card sales dollar-wise. But watch out, there is a rising star on the horizon. Without a doubt, the hottest selling cards on the floor were of the Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani.
There were plenty in cases with four- and five-figure prices attached, and they were selling. Ohtani cards have exploded in the past year, and if the Dodgers get a World Series three-peat, watch out.
VIP SIGNINGS
For some attendees, The National started on Tuesday, when for the first time, the show offered two autograph signers for VIP ticket holders that came by and picked up their tickets early.
Former MLB stars Mitch “Wild Thing” Williams and Bill Madlock were on hand for this occasion. Both players had played in Chicago for the Cubs at some point during their illustrious careers.
Madlock, with over 2,000 hits, three National League batting titles and a career .305 batting average in 15 big league seasons, is one of those guys who has been on the edge of consideration for the Hall of Fame for many years, but has yet to receive the call. Both were a big hit with the early attendees, some that were there told me.
On Wednesday, the Kick-Off VIP Party featured more former MLB players. On hand were Jerome Walton, Cecil Cooper and Gregg Jefferies.
Those that have been around the hobby since the late ’80’s and early ’90’s know that Jefferies, when he first came up with the Mets, was the darling of collectors at that time. The two-time All-Star went on to have a 14-year career in the majors. This VIP signing program is always a great start to the show.
ODD COLLECTIBLE
You see a lot of things at The National, but the craziest thing I saw was a guy selling basic white, Chuck Taylor high-top Converse basketball shoes. They were obviously used, but had no history or attachment to any athlete.
He was asking $225 -$250 for these “vintage” shoes.
WISH LIST
Every year I bring a wish list of items I am looking for. The only thing I left Chicago without was the Jackson Holliday “Fun Face” Topps short-printed card, a take-off on the Billy Ripken Fleer classic.
I found a couple of graded ones, but I wanted one in raw condition. Maybe next year!
