Attention: djefferis and others

[flyingillini]

Plane tickets and hotels booked. I will be at the National July 30th-2nd, @djefferis if you are able to make it you should. Relive some old memories. This is the 45th annual one. This is my 4th one I am attending. I am pumped for this. If anyone else is attending let me know. Drinks on me in the evening.

 

[maltedhopsfrenzy]

Drinks on me in the evening.

 

[keithrichard]

 

[keithrichard]

 

[keithrichard]

Wondering which National applies?

 

[keithrichard]

Also my birthday.

 

[jjgold]

Illini come to Forth Worth

 

[BMR Genie]

Also my birthday.

Indeed. I remember.. July 30th!

 

[keithrichard]

Illini is sleeping still. Hope he doesn't mind my intrusion into his thread. I wonder what it is like actually living in tomorrow while we still live in yesterday?

 

[BobbyFK]

Wondering which National applies?

It's a good question. He didn't specify here

 

[BobbyFK]

Wondering which National applies?

That's a good question. He didn't specify here

 

[BMR Genie]

Illini is sleeping still. Hope he doesn't mind my intrusion into his thread.

It's fine. Fly is a cool guy..

 

[djefferis]

National card collectors show I’m 99.9%

Huge convention for sports cards, memorabilia and such.

Will be in Chicago this year - was actually in Cleveland last year.

I really have no excuse for not going last year given I could have driven up in an hour - except being way too busy with other projects (that ultimately damn near killed me).

Would actually be a good time and Chicago isn’t that far for a weekend. Heard last year was huge - and kind of a little too big for the IX Center. Agree they need to have it in Chicago or a city that has walkable hotels. The IX center is fine for things like the auto show or weekend expos - but something like this that draws nationally - it’s just not visitor friendly.

Reading Atlantic City was actually in the running - and offered vendors a grand each if they came to AC - but vendors voted for Chicago - just better facilities, better attendance and more to do I guess.

Been years since I’ve been to a major show - things like this are just so packed and while it’s near to walk through and see stuff you wouldn’t see outside of say Cooperstown or a major auction - it’s also a pain in the ass. Last year proved that I guess with huge lines to park and for the restrooms at an underprepared arena.

 

[flyingillini]

National card collectors show I’m 99.9%

Huge convention for sports cards, memorabilia and such.

Will be in Chicago this year - was actually in Cleveland last year.

I really have no excuse for not going last year given I could have driven up in an hour - except being way too busy with other projects (that ultimately damn near killed me).

Would actually be a good time and Chicago isn’t that far for a weekend. Heard last year was huge - and kind of a little too big for the IX Center. Agree they need to have it in Chicago or a city that has walkable hotels. The IX center is fine for things like the auto show or weekend expos - but something like this that draws nationally - it’s just not visitor friendly.

Reading Atlantic City was actually in the running - and offered vendors a grand each if they came to AC - but vendors voted for Chicago - just better facilities, better attendance and more to do I guess.

Been years since I’ve been to a major show - things like this are just so packed and while it’s near to walk through and see stuff you wouldn’t see outside of say Cooperstown or a major auction - it’s also a pain in the ass. Last year proved that I guess with huge lines to park and for the restrooms at an underprepared arena.

The National Sports Collectors Convention

The National Sports Collectors Convention - July 29 - August 2, 2026 | Donald E. Stephens Convention Center The greatest sports card show in the world! Tickets for The 46th Chicago National will go on sale on Cyber Monday, December 1st.

www.nsccshow.com

 

[flyingillini]

The National Sports Collectors Convention

The National Sports Collectors Convention - July 29 - August 2, 2026 | Donald E. Stephens Convention Center The greatest sports card show in the world! Tickets for The 46th Chicago National will go on sale on Cyber Monday, December 1st.

www.nsccshow.com

 

[flyingillini]

National card collectors show I’m 99.9%

Huge convention for sports cards, memorabilia and such.

Will be in Chicago this year - was actually in Cleveland last year.

I really have no excuse for not going last year given I could have driven up in an hour - except being way too busy with other projects (that ultimately damn near killed me).

Would actually be a good time and Chicago isn’t that far for a weekend. Heard last year was huge - and kind of a little too big for the IX Center. Agree they need to have it in Chicago or a city that has walkable hotels. The IX center is fine for things like the auto show or weekend expos - but something like this that draws nationally - it’s just not visitor friendly.

Reading Atlantic City was actually in the running - and offered vendors a grand each if they came to AC - but vendors voted for Chicago - just better facilities, better attendance and more to do I guess.

Been years since I’ve been to a major show - things like this are just so packed and while it’s near to walk through and see stuff you wouldn’t see outside of say Cooperstown or a major auction - it’s also a pain in the ass. Last year proved that I guess with huge lines to park and for the restrooms at an underprepared arena.

I am there, as I said flights and hotels booked. Cubs game the 1st at 1:20pm too. Let me know and plan on seeing you there. IPSA is grading on site, I am taking some things to get reholdered , I have my eyes on some stuff there too. I hope you can make it.

 

[flyingillini]

National card collectors show I’m 99.9%

Huge convention for sports cards, memorabilia and such.

Will be in Chicago this year - was actually in Cleveland last year.

I really have no excuse for not going last year given I could have driven up in an hour - except being way too busy with other projects (that ultimately damn near killed me).

Would actually be a good time and Chicago isn’t that far for a weekend. Heard last year was huge - and kind of a little too big for the IX Center. Agree they need to have it in Chicago or a city that has walkable hotels. The IX center is fine for things like the auto show or weekend expos - but something like this that draws nationally - it’s just not visitor friendly.

Reading Atlantic City was actually in the running - and offered vendors a grand each if they came to AC - but vendors voted for Chicago - just better facilities, better attendance and more to do I guess.

Been years since I’ve been to a major show - things like this are just so packed and while it’s near to walk through and see stuff you wouldn’t see outside of say Cooperstown or a major auction - it’s also a pain in the ass. Last year proved that I guess with huge lines to park and for the restrooms at an underprepared arena.

All the hotels within .01 mile are sold out but there are still some 3 miles away, but if you don't mind staying 10-15 miles away they are much cheaper. I grabbed the Hilton at Chicago Ohara, which is 3 miles away. I am not getting a rental car, just going to uber to the show and spend my time at the show. But the show is providing links to hotels that are offering discounts. I suggest book your hotel now if you want to be close.

Hotels — The National Sports Card Convention - July 30 - August 3, 2025 | Donald E. Stevens Convention Center

Hotel information The 44th National Sports Collectors Convention - July 24-28, 2024 Cleveland, OH. Discounted room rates are available through Conference Housing, the Official Housing Bureau of The National Sports Collectors Convention.

www.nsccshow.com

 

[flyingillini]

@djefferis I tried to send you a PM but you aren't accepting them. I have a very technical question and want some advice as I think you are the only one that will have some sort of insight here. Should I just post it here? It is very technical regarding a card/psa/slabs.

 

[djefferis]

Fixed to accept PM’s - or feel free to post it here.

I personally don’t k ow a lot about the slabbing/grading - but sure some others here might have some insight.

To me the grading is the biggest sham in the industry - same thing that killed the coin industry years ago - a small group of people control the market. It’s amazing to me how they are allowed to not only determine the grades - but also create a marketplace.

Even if it’s not crooked - the possibility for under grading to effect value and then purchasing at a lower price (based on the inappropriate grade) on their marketplace and subsequent re/slab and grading is just too big of a red flag to ignore. Same with “over grading” things and then listing them themselves.

 

[flyingillini]

Fixed to accept PM’s - or feel free to post it here.

I personally don’t k ow a lot about the slabbing/grading - but sure some others here might have some insight.

To me the grading is the biggest sham in the industry - same thing that killed the coin industry years ago - a small group of people control the market. It’s amazing to me how they are allowed to not only determine the grades - but also create a marketplace.

Even if it’s not crooked - the possibility for under grading to effect value and then purchasing at a lower price (based on the inappropriate grade) on their marketplace and subsequent re/slab and grading is just too big of a red flag to ignore. Same with “over grading” things and then listing them themselves.

I am only into a particular type and it does matter when it comes to Pre war psa stuff, it's like fine art, high end investments , it matters 100%, sending you a pm now