Every collector at one point or another has been to a card show or two in their life. For me, card shows were a regular event in the early 90’s when it seemed like everything was perfect in the world. I remember a local, monthly card show held at the Fashion Mall in Plantation, Florida which had so many tables that I would be exhausted by the end of the day. Unfortunately, it was 1991 and the price for Jose Canseco baseball cards was at an all-time high (Jose was the HR King in ‘91). I would go to the show with $20 dollars and come away a sad eleven year-old because my money would only go so far. I remember one show where I bought this card for a whopping $12 dollars. Today, I have maybe twenty of them sitting in a lonely, untouched box.
The very last show I attended was at the end of my collecting days after the whole fiasco with 1997 Bowman Chrome. It was early 1998 and a friend and I went to a very seedy, dark motel in Miami where there was a card show being held on a Saturday. I was seventeen and had lost almost all interest in baseball cards but still went to see what was there. By the time I walked in, I knew I had made a mistake.
In the lobby of the motel, there was seven tables in a large circle that was so close everyone was within hearing distance of each other. My friend Mike and I were the only ones there at that time and as we walked past each table, the pickings got slimmer. One guy had a bunch of 80’s Topps cards placed randomly in a glass display case and a table full of coins he was selling. The next table had a some vintage cards that smelled like they were produced in a Tabacco field somewhere. With each table that I walked to, the selections were even stranger. One guy had a table full of old Beckett Magazines for sale and nothing but Score and Sportsflics cards of just one player, Mark McGwire. It was a nightmare and needless to say, I walked away empty-handed that day.
This weekend, in Dania Beach (10 minutes from my home) there will be a card show. Brian from ‘30-Year Old Cardboard’ will attend. If I can get Tatiana’s mother to babysit our soon, so will I. It’s been over a decade since I have been to a show and I definitely hope it is better than the one at Bates Motel a decade ago. If I am able to attend, you can expect many photos and a blog about it during the weekend.
Wish me luck, cause I know I will need it. Two weeks ago I missed my baseball tryouts for lack of money ( I got paid two days later) and last weekend I missed my baseball card scavenger hunt at a flee market because of a hurricane. All I need is a little luck my way and I will be able to make it!
-Mario Alejandro
If I'm lucky, these guys will be there...
That sucks that you missed the tryout. I’d been wondering how that went.
As for the Canseco card. That’s funny that you paid $12 for that card. But, it was worth $12 back then and I’ll bet you were excited as hell to have it, more excited than if you only had to pay $1. I’m not sure if that makes any sense.
Have fun if you get to the show.
I seen the Marlins had 600 people show up for yesterday’s game. What’s up with that? 600 people??!??
Thaanks, Joe.
I have no comment on those numbers.