Fight a Speeding Ticket
Nobody likes seeing those flashing red and blue lights in your rearview mirror? Getting a speeding ticket can be frustrating and costly, but don’t lose hope we have some helpful … Read More
On Saturday, we survived the 5 Freeway to get to The National in Anaheim. This is the Super Bowl of sports-memorabilia conventions (and, like the big game, started in L.A.). Big-money collectors like Gary Cypres roamed the aisles like rock stars, while Gary Engel, co-author of Sayonara Home Run! The Art of the Japanese Baseball Card (Chronicle Books), was manning a booth stocked with Sadaharu Oh and Ichiro cards. Autographs hounds lined up to meet Joe Montana ($170 for a photograph of you and Joe), Magic Johnson ($135 for a "regular" autograph), and Duke Snider ($100 for a "premium" autograph). There were some Hollywood celebs: the line in front of Catherine Bach was long; the line in front of Ernie Hudson was, uh, not so much. Two of the guys from "Entourage" were posing happily with young women.
It seemed like every type of memorabilia that has ever been produced concerning sports was on display and available at a price: baseball cards, natch, but also basketball, football, hockey, cycling, track, and boxing cards, books, posters, stamps, jerseys, mitts, bats, hats, balls, pucks, sticks, basketballs, programs, bobbleheads, banners, advertising ephemera, ticket stubs, vintage photographs, Wheaties boxes, artwork, championship rings, trophies, badges, pins, board games, and more. You could get your stuff "rated" – that is, you could pay $50 to have certified experts judge the condition of your item, which goes a long way in determining its value and price. What was billed as the "world's most valuable hockey card" – a 1911-12 George Vezina card from Imperial Tobacco – was priced at a cool $150,000. (Yes, hockey cards are now cool.)
Lots of local stuff was available: you could've bought a pristine ticket for a Los Angeles Dons football game in 1946, or a mint Rose Bowl program from 1934, or an unused ticket to the 1932 Olympic boxing competition at the Olympic Auditorium, or the special edition of the Los Angeles Examiner published on April 18, 1958 -- the Dodgers' first Opening Day in L.A. (at the Coliseum).
The ratio of pasty white men over the age of 35 to "other" was approximately ten to one, and we heard some classic lines. "I only collect helmets," one guy said, as he caressed an early 20th century leather contraption that surely caused a few concussions. "I'm one of those guys whose mother threw out his collection, then spent my entire adult life buying it back," said another. One exhausted dealer said that he was going back on the road: "I'll be at the first-day cover convention in Cleveland next week" – and who knew there was such a thing?
Those who collect this stuff tell me that the "hobby" has changed considerably since the early 1990s. That marked the crest of a bull market in cards, one that attracted investors and saw the opening of card shops on ever corner. Inevitably, that caused problems: too many dealers and too much product saturated the market. Sort of like what happened with cigars.
Today, the high-end level of sports memorabilia remains hot; the well-stocked booths of auction houses Sothebys and Lelands signal that the classics will always have a certain cachet. But I truly wonder if the next generation of collectors – today's kids – will be willing to pay thousands of dollars for, say, a Grover Cleveland Alexander autographed ball or a Paul Waner game uni. It seems to me that they'd be more interested in a Tony Hawk autographed skateboard or a Shawn White game-day snowboard. And, those were about the only items I didn't see in Anaheim.
My big purchase was a Mecca tobacco card, circa 1910, of John Hayes for $7. I'm betting that Hayes will be huge in 2008, the 100th anniversary of his controversial victory over Dorando Pietri in the 1908 Olympic marathon. In two years, I expect to cash out for at least $10.
Effective business articles that will improve your business.
Nobody likes seeing those flashing red and blue lights in your rearview mirror? Getting a speeding ticket can be frustrating and costly, but don’t lose hope we have some helpful … Read More
In the ever-evolving aerospace manufacturing and supply chain management landscape, achieving AS9100 certification is a testament to a company’s commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement. This globally recognised standard, … Read More
In a world where businesses are constantly seeking efficiency and sustainability, the shift towards digital document management has become more than a trend—it’s a necessity. At the heart of this … Read More
Picture guiding a vessel through unpredictable waters, where unforeseen storms can upheave even the best-laid plans. Leading a professional association mirrors this scenario closely. With the shifting sands of member … Read More
In the digital age, where attention is fragmented and competition for visibility is fierce, targeted engagement has emerged as a critical strategy for businesses aiming to connect meaningfully with their … Read More
In today’s competitive landscape, a company’s success hinges on the collective effort of its workforce. Even the most brilliant ideas and meticulously crafted plans can falter without a team that … Read More
In today’s fast-paced software development landscape, efficiency is paramount. Every minute counts, and any tool that can streamline processes and workflows becomes invaluable. Jira, a widely utilized project management tool, … Read More
Stakes in the building or construction industry are high. Constructing buildings and homes is costly and safety matters are important. Most customers are cautious and involved in the process, potentially … Read More
In the bustling heart of New York City, Sarah, a young entrepreneur, taps her phone to complete a transaction that, just a decade ago, would have required a time-consuming visit … Read More
Introduction The Artificial Intelligence dawn is transforming how people work and businesses operate. It is opening up a world of challenges and possibilities, making it a game changer for entrepreneurs … Read More