Live Updates from The National Sports Collectors Convention – WorthPoint

Sports memorabilia fans will get live updates from the floor of The National Sports Collectors Convention as WorthPoint® reports breaking news, industry gossip, and market trends at the world’s largest event of its kind. Popularly referred to as “The National,” the once-a-year extravaganza is a premier showcase in the collectibles industry. It welcomes collectors, dealers, and other groups interested in collecting trading cards, autographs, entertainment, and other memorabilia.

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5:30p.m. ET, July 28, 2023

Cards are available at any price point here. Just a matter of what you’re looking for and how much time you have.

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1:26 p.m. ET, July 28, 2023

Authentication is key in today’s hobby, where fake signatures can pop up and be sold easily through online platforms.

Buying in person at shows like The National eliminates concern, especially when you have proof, like photos, to add an extra certification level.

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1:06 p.m. ET, July 28, 2023

Topps/Fanatics had Ozzie Smith signing autographs and taking pictures with fans and collectors. The price? Free! A major perk of coming to The National.

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12:59 p.m. ET, July 28, 2023

Goldin continues its market dominance with next week’s auction opening of the Goldin 100, Part II sale. The auction offers some of the house’s finest lots of the year, including a Yankee Championship ring, a rare Kobe Bryant authentic patch, and three amazing rookie cards that are fresh market. 

Take a look at these and other items coming up for auction on Aug. 4 at Goldin.co.

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12:43 p.m. ET, July 28, 2023

CGC grading is showing off the variety of its grading services. Among them are coins, such as this piece shown below. Graded coins are a huge segment of the hobby. 

Twitter: @CGCCards

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12:13 p.m. ET, July 28, 2023

Collectors can’t touch a sealed box of Garbage Pail Kids trading cards for less than $25,000 at this show. But on the floor, for a paltry, five-dollar bill collectors can grab a show-exclusive Garbage Pail Kid card in a custom vending machine. Our bet is that the machine will be way more valuable than the cards.

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11:56 a.m. ET, July 28, 2023

The Mile High Card Company is showing off one of their major lots for an upcoming auction: a T206 Wagner.

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10:15 a.m. ET, July 28, 2023

Probably the most unique inscription seen on the floor, Pete now makes his living signing at shows and in Las Vegas. Check out his 30 for 30 short for more info. 

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9:15 a.m. ET, July 28, 2023

Press photos are immensely growing in popularity. Authenticity is key when you consider that it is exceedingly easy to reprint.

Booth Albersheim’s

Web: albersheins.com

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9:00 a.m. ET, July 28, 2023

Looking for something different to collect? How about some vintage pennants? Could be an emerging focal point for sports collectors. 

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8:58 a.m. ET, July 28, 2023

Good morning from the floor of The National!

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8:50 a.m. ET, July 28, 2023

You Don’t Have to Go Home, but You Can’t Stay Here

As if The National’s opening day wasn’t exhausting enough, trade nights are a longtime tradition at which dozens or more dealers open cases and sell, trade, and swap cards as late as midnight (and longer in hotel parking lots if allowed).

Dealer/broker Chris Wise, owner of Vancouver, Canada’s Wiser’s Collectibles, said demand for Hockey seemed light both on the show floor and during trade night at the Loews. 

Facebook: Wiser’s Wide World of Collectibles

eBay: wiser

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8:30 a.m. ET, July 28, 2023

Harry Caray’s for breakfast. Perfect atmosphere to start what will be a long, filled day of sports memorabilia.

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4:15 p.m. ET, July 27, 2023

The National is so much more than just sports cards. 

Luke Felten, age 7, flips through binders, hunting for cards needed to complete his collection of Pokémon cards. 

Under the watchful eye of his father, Matt, little Luke said he’s hoping to find a holy grail: a rare Charizard card. “I’ve been collecting for two years, and a Charizard can be worth $5,000!” Matt and Luke flew from Cumberland, Maryland, to attend the show in Chicago. 

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4:00 p.m. ET, July 27, 2023

The word most often heard on the floor: “Excuse me, I need to check out this case.”

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3:00 p.m. ET, July 27, 2023

Sellers across three halls representing the largest national industry report the first-day opening on Wednesday was the largest attendance number in the event’s history, 43 years. More than 100,000 tickets have been sold for the 2023 convention making it the largest in its history. This week, stakeholders and leaders are making a vote on where to hold the future convention. The goal will be between Chicago, Atlantic City, and the wildcard, which is Atlanta, Georgia. Word on the floor is that most dealers would prefer Atlanta over going back to Atlantic City. 

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2:40 p.m. ET, July 27, 2023

Mike Botaish of MC Cards from the Boston area enjoyed an utterly packed booth in the opening hours of The National. His 40’x40’ booth offered deals at low as 10 cents a card. “Show’s been great. Can’t say enough about it .”

Botaish’s eBay handle is MCCARDS93.

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2:28 p.m. ET, July 27, 2023

Vintage baseball card dealer Simon Canasi, set up in aisle 100, said he’s surprised at the number of collectors asking for cardboard for Roberto Clemente, the baseball right fielder who spent 18 years with the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

“Clemente!” Canasi said. “There’s always been a mystique about him.”

“Oh, and Mantle—always.”

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11:28 a.m. ET, July 27, 2023

Buzz on the floor of The National surrounds the Heritage Auction display of what’s considered the finest Mickey Mantle game-worn jersey ever offered at auction. With a $4 million pre-auction estimate, it could make history when it crosses the block later this year. 

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It’s easy to see why The National has remained ground zero for the hobby since its inception in 1980: The core sports memorabilia market is expected to grow more than 15 percent over the next few years to surpass its $12.2 billion value.

WorthPoint’s reporting team includes: 

• Jon Waldman is a long-time sports hobby journalist and frequent contributor. He has written for Beckett, Go GTS, Canadian Sports Collector, and several other hobby outlets over his two decades in the hobby. His experience also includes two books on sports cards and memorabilia. Connect with Jon on Twitter at @jonwaldman.
• Eric Bradley is Vice President of Editorial Content and Public Relations at WorthPoint. He brings 25 years of experience in fine art, antiques, and collectibles, has authored 12 reference books and buying guides, and has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.

WHAT WE’RE COVERING

• Breaking news, industry gossip, and important announcements during the largest annual event for the sports memorabilia collecting hobby
• Exclusive interviews with industry leaders and collectors
• Market trends to help resellers and collectors become stronger

WHAT YOU’LL SEE

Check back here for real-time updates!

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Jon Waldman is a Winnipeg-based writer. He has written for Beckett, Go GTS, Canadian Sports Collector, and several other hobby outlets over his two decades in the hobby. His experience also includes two books on sports cards and memorabilia. Connect with Jon on Twitter at @jonwaldman.

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