Card Show

The New York City All-Star Baseball Card & Sports Memorabilia Show

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Check out this advertisement for the February 1983 New York City All-Star Baseball Card & Sports Memorabilia Show: Gaylord Perry, Juan Marichal, and Orlando Cepeda as signers at a “regional” show!

Here’s what’s interesting about this show from over 40 years ago. First, tables were $70 each or three for $200, so there’s been very little inflation, on a regional level, for dealers to set up at shows. Second, three Hall of Famers at a regional show (ok, ok, it’s New York City), signing for just $2, $3, and $4! Third, the organizers offered mail autographs with personalization. Fourth, doesn’t highlighting their May 1982 show having 1800 admissions for 96 dealers seem a little…underwhelming?

PS, I scanned this ad from the January 1983 edition of Trader Speaks.

The 1982 New York City Superstar Baseball Card Show

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The following advertisement for the 1982 New York City Superstar Baseball card show is one of the best I’ve ever seen.

It was published in Trader Speaks’ March 1982 issue, and the handwritten style stood out among many mechanical-looking ads. Plus, Monte Irvin and Pee Wee Reese were signees!

I’ll also mention that dealer tables were $85, which is more than many regional shows charge today.

Happy collecting!

The 1982 Omaha Sports Collectors Show With Bob Feller And Warren Spahn

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The 1982 Omaha Sports Collectors Show, co-sponsored by Coors and held in parallel with the College World Series, featured Bob Feller and Warren Spahn, who signed autos for $1!

A destination card show with a relevant sponsor featuring some incredible sets on exhibit from William McAvoy (N28, T205, T-3 Cabines, and 1933 Goudey) and two incredible signers. Sign me up.

On card autos weren’t as big a thing back in ’82, but in concert with the advertisement, here are signed copies of each of their 1953 Topps baseball cards that I found on eBay.

PS, this ad was in the May 1982 edition of Trader Speaks; how incredible is the cover?

Brooks Robinson Card Show Appearances In Early 1982

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A few weeks ago, I shared an advertisement for the January 1982 Baltimore Sports Collectibles Show. I highlighted it because Brooks Robinson was signing on Saturday, January 16th, of the show. I noted that Robinson was a guest at a lot of shows back then.

Well, in the March 1982 issue of Trader Speaks, two more shows highlighted Brooks Robinson as a guest. First, the Central Jersey 8 had him on Sunday, February 28th, 1982.

Then, the Philadelphia Sports Spectacular 1 highlighted Robinson’s attendance on both days of their March 6-7 show, along with Stan Musial on Sunday and Chris Short on both days.

He was really making the rounds in early ’82!

$5 Hank Aaron Autographs

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Here’s some hobby-show history from March 1982, when you could get a Hank Aaron autograph for $5!

The advertisement for the “East Coast’s Newest and Largest Show..Sports & Paper Collectible Show and Sale” in White Plains, NY, was scanned from the February 1982 issue of Trader Speaks.

And here’s what may be the coolest Hank Aaron signed items in the hobby: a signed ticket stub from the game where he hit his 715th home run to pass Babe Ruth.

New York’s Biggest One Day Show and Bobby Richardson’s 1965 Topps Card

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Here’s a card show history throwback to January 1982 when “New York’s Biggest And Best One Day Show” was held at JFK’s Travelodge International Hotel with guest star Bobby Richardson!

The pictured 1965 Topps #115 Bobby Richardson is an oft-graded card with PSA having slabbed over 450. However, there isn’t a single Gem Mint 10.

By the way, did you know Richardson is the only player to win the World Series MVP award for the losing team?

1982 Baltimore Sports Collectibles Show

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Throwback to the January 1982 Baltimore Sports Collectibles Show with Guest Star Brooks Robinson. 

This ad is from the January 1982 issue of Trader Speaks.

Robinson played his entire 23-season MLB career with the Orioles (winning 16 consecutive Gold Glove awards). Ted Patterson wrote, “Never has a player meant more to a franchise and more to a city than Brooks meant to the Orioles and the city of Baltimore.” When you look at card show ads from the early 80s in Maryland, you will see that Robinson was a guest at a ton of them.