On Saturday, I made it to my first card show of the year. Only an hour away from me, the Gibraltar Trade Center has a 40 table show every month. I've been once in the nearly two years I've lived here. Public market or indoor flea market [aren't these the same?] this place attracts all types of people, not unlike Walmart. It's a trip made with a friend as I'd never go alone. The unusually warm weather brought folks out of their homes and into the show meaning less cards for me - oh - and my friend. I certainly don't want to appear selfish.
I took $60 and left my debit and credit cards at home. We arrived around 11am, missing the first hour. The first half of the day yielded very little of the very few 2017 Topps on my list. Looking over the tables, nothing really caught my eye. I picked up several one dollar cards. Sample:
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| Set build: 1970 Kellogg's |
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| Set build: 1961 Golden Press |
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| Because it was there: 1962 Post |
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PCs: 2014 Posey, 1995 Donruss, 1996 SPX Set build: 1972 Topps |
It's a dream set to be sure, adding random cards here and there. These are gorgeous in color and condition! My disco boy Astros and Cleo showing off his now retro Cubbie patch.
I found a table with miscellaneous packs of old junk at three for $1. I bought all ten packs of 1994 Stadium Club Series Two. These yielded a First Day Issue Tiger, Scott Livingstone and player collection boys:
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| Gracie is a parallel |
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| COLLATION NIGHTMARE |
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You read the sign correctly. Thousands upon thousands of cards for a NICKEL!!!!!!! The dealer's sign was a bit of joke. He mentioned some people got upset that kids had a better deal...people who obviously didn't read the whole sign - 20/$1 !!
Several folks were seated on the aisle side of the tables by the time we'd found them. So we took our spot on what would be the seller's side. Working as a team pulling cards for each other, we managed to go through most of the boxes on our side before the show ended at 6pm.
During our search, an older woman [70ish or more] came barreling around the corner seeking information on a card she'd purchased over twenty years ago. She first approached the group searching the boxes on her side then she saw me seated behind the table. 'Oh I can ask YOU this question.' Why me?? I thought. 'What was that card they made 500 of twenty years ago' I had no idea. She then narrowed it down saying 'you know, he was married to that famous actress'. OH! 'Joe DiMaggio'. I tried to explain cards are now numbered to 25 or even less. If she could tell me the year or brand, I might be able to help her. I was trying hard to be polite but she reeked of cigarettes and cheap perfume, right out of an old Bogart movie. Of all the shows she had to wander into... I hadn't yet noticed my friend had scooted down the row a bit. So much for the team effort. She was pulling cards while I heard all about the dame's kids: one a college graduate, the other still flipping pizzas after 18 years. After ten minutes or more of listening, she says 'I don't even know where the card is. If I can find it, I'll bring it next time.' Next time??? Oh goodie.
Just what can a nickel get you these days??? Twelve cards added to my 2016 Stadium Club set, cards for mini-set binders and player collections. Cards, cards, cards!
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| Set builds: 94 Pinnacle Museum, 1990 Swell 70s binder: 2013 Golden Age Playing Card Just Because: 2013 Cooperstown Lumberjacks  |
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| PIAZZAS - ALL A NICKEL EACH INCLUDING THIS 2-SIDED BEAUTY: 2004 Donruss Elite Passing the Torch   I managed to stay away from any large impulse purchases, sticking mainly to set builds and players. I left the show with $15 in my pocket and at least 500 cards for five cents each. Surely our Founding Father and third President would be pleased to know how far a nickel goes these days.  |
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