Valley Forge (Pa.) Sports Memorabilia Show Retrospective –  September2009

Date: Sept. 24, 25 and 26, 2009
Venue: Radisson Valley Forge Hotel, King of Prussia, PA
Show Promoter: Hunt Auctions
Autograph Guests: Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Johnny Bench, Carlton Fisk, Bob Boone, Angelo Dundee and others

While I was pulling into the massive parking area of the Valley Forge Radisson on Friday Sept. 24th , my mind was awash with thoughts of how much “The Philly Show” has changed through the years.  No longer is the show held in an old “Honeywell “ warehouse (Ft. Washington Expo Center), or worse yet, in the run-down confines of a chain of outdated Turnpike motels known collectively as the “George Washington Motor Lodges (Willow Grove).  Quite the contrary.  The 2nd ever Valley Forge Sports Memorabilia Show run by Hunt Auctions now calls the swanky Radisson – Valley Forge in King of Prussia its new home. Hotel amenities aside, there’s lots to like about the new-look “Philly Show.”  I waited in a short line for a brief time until I was instructed to pull my car all the way to the end of the loading dock (Table # 1204) and start unpacking. The extra large dock area and numerous entrance ways made vehicle unloading a breeze.  Two quick trips inside with my hand-truck and I was set.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS:  Friday night started as inauspiciously as ever.  The ebb and flow of light customer traffic is pretty much the norm on Friday nights.  Most dealers, at least the veterans, will tell you that most sales will come from other dealers.  Makes perfect sense.  One dealer has a customer for an item he’s eyeballing on your table and, conversely, you have a customer for that rare piece of memorabilia he’s holding.  Deals are worked out.  Money is exchanged.  And if all goes according to plan, you’ll come away with a nice artifact and, hopefully, some money.  That’s precisely what happened to me.  One long-time dealer bought a Cy Young Autographed Albertype HOF Postcard from me.  That really set the tone for what I expect to be a banner weekend.  Sure, I sold some other vintage pieces here and there, but nothing the magnitude of that 1st deal.  When the show closed at 9PM , I considered the night to be a success.  Time for my (45) minute drive back to New Jersey and get ready for Saturday and Sunday.

SATURDAY September 25:  As the show opens at 9AM, I’m expecting a good day.  Several people were looking at my 1912 World Series Panoramic Photograph with more than a cursory glance last night and that’s always a good sign.  Even if sales are flat the remainder of the weekend, just being set-up at a major show like this puts me in position to buy quality material from customers who are looking to move items.  Walk-in deals used to be a prime source of  my memorabilia acquisitions, but with the advent of the Internet in the mid 1990’s, they just don’t happen that often anymore.

As  Noon-Time approaches, traffic is starting to filter throughout the back part of the room as autograph seekers are done getting their items signed.  Sales at my table are picking up momentum.  I’m offered several old time wire-photos for a good price from a long-time show patron, which I, of course, gladly purchase.  Many long-time acquaintances and friends stop by to chew the fat for a while.  Before I realize it, 5:00 PM rolls around and the show is over with for the day.  It’s been a good day overall.  Sold some items; bought some stuff.  In addition, many have signed up for my monthly price-lists with their e-mail addresses.

SUNDAY September 26:  Sunday is always the slowest of the (3) days, so it’s time to take a walk around the room.  One of the true delights of this show is that you’ll see stuff here that, unless you go to the National, you won’t see anywhere else.  Most of your corporate business types occupy the 1st row as you walk in the door.  Legendary Auctions, the byproduct of the dismantling of the Mastro.Net debacle back in March, are front and center.  So are SCP Auctions, Heritage Galleries and a handful of others.  I stop by for a quick chat with long-time friend and colleague, Ted Zandakis, and then it’s back to my table for the remainder of the show.

Sales have been sporadic so far today.  Just when I think the show is drawing to an end, in comes a blockbuster trade proposal.  A show patron wants to trade me a: 1931 Lou Gehrig W517 Baseball Card, a 1929 Philadelphia A’s Rotogravure Display Piece and some cash, in exchange for my 1912 World Series Panoramic Photo.  I jump on the offer.  That ends the show on a high note.  We’ll do it all over again in early December.

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