National Swag

Mouse pad from Memory Lane Inc.

The best thing I got at The National

Of all the things I saw there (plenty) and all the celebrities I met (none, really), the best thing I got there was this:

 

Why this card? It's not a Derek Jeter autograph! No, but it is a Brian Kong autograph.

You may recognize that Brian Kong is the artist who did all of the art for the Highlight Sketch cards from this year's Topps Allen & Ginter release. He was at the Beckett booth (yeah, I know) but had his own corner with his own banner and display. Joshua and I met him, talked with him a bit, then gave us his autograph with the "cool" auto, the B-K in a square, next to his real autograph. He let us choose one of the cards from the A&G Highlights Sketches, so I chose the iconic picture of Jeter going into the stands. 

He was a very modest, easy-going young man, and was a bit oblivious to all this card mania going on around him, but that is what we liked. He had some of his original art on display, which we enjoyed looking at. 

I'd say this was the highlight of The National for me, aside from Joshua winning the box of Press Pass Football from Blowoutcards. Pretty neat.

 

Impressions of The National

It's a big card show.

That is really what it boils down to. There are a million vendors there, selling everything and anything that you could ever want. Helmets, jerseys, supplies, old cards, new cards, singles, boxes, team sets, autos and relics. Upper Deck, Panini and Razor were there. Topps was not. Big disappointment.

Blowoutcards, Dave & Adam's and Atlanta Sports cards were all there. However, their prices were really not all that great for boxes. You could do nearly as well buying through the website, without paying for tickets, parking or food.

Dave & Adams had a few of the exclusive cards in conjunction with Freedom Cardboard. Panini had wrapper redemptions, as did UD. Buy five packs, bust 'em in front of their rep, and get an exclusive pack that could have an auto or relic in it. Joshua bought five packs of A Piece of History, then got his UD exclusive. Six cards, but no auto or relic. One guy we saw got a Michael Jordan auto #'d out of 5. Pretty cool.

Atlanta Sports cards was giving away hats. Bright yellow. Blowoutcards had t-shirts, but also had a big raffle with seven or eight prizes. The big prize was a box of National Treasures, which the first winner passed on for some reason! Kiss autos, Browns helmet, signed jersey, Ozzie Osbourne auto. But the big surprise to me was that Joshua won a box of Press Pass Football, with five autos and a relic. One of the autos was Pat White! Very cool!

I spent my money on some autos of Kaline, Killebrew, Guerrero, Palmer and a few others, plus some commons to fill in a few holes in the wantlist. Not a bad haul, all in all. However, when you add it all up, including the $15 ticket (luckily, Joshua was free - under 12 is free) and the $8 parking, it is no better than going to the flea market or local card show, except bigger. I've been, now I can say I've seen it, but I don't think I need to travel to it any more.

Off to Cleveland

My father, the man I have written about several times, is turning 84 this weekend. My sister and her son are flying in from Florida, and my family and I are driving to Cleveland tomorrow morning to celebrate. Longevity is in his family genes, but so is Alzheimer's, which took his sister and probably would have taken his father and brother had something else not finished its work earlier.

It should be a very nice weekend. Seeing my parents. Mom cooking up a storm, which usually means desserts like strudel, tea biscuits and peach pie. Sailing with my cousins on Lake Erie on Saturday. Celebratory dinner out on Friday night with all the family, including my mom's brother who is coming in from Detroit. An Indians game on Saturday night. The National on Friday.

I am fortunate that I still have a family that still masses from time to time to celebrate and catch up. I was going to say it is fortunate that I get a chance to go to the Jake and to go to the National, but there are much more important things than that. Like being with family. Everyone sometimes need a refresher in priorities.

Having said that, I am looking forward to the National, checking out the vendors and manufacturers, maybe snagging an auto or two, trying to get my hands on some of the exclusives to the show. I decided against buying the VIP package since I will only be there for part of one day, and Joshua and I will be more interested in finding some good deals, finishing some sets, and checking out the convention in general.

The Voice of the Collector has published a great How-To Guide if you are going and have never been before. It is interesting reading.

If anyone will be there on Friday between 11 and 3, let me know and maybe we can meet up. Good luck, and have fun. And remember, there are many things more important than collecting cards. (Gulp, did I just say that?!!?!)