A few months in the past, classic sports activities card supplier and good pal Mark Smith, who resides and principally units up in Michigan, despatched me an electronic mail asking about some Chicago-area exhibits. We hatched a plan to arrange collectively on the February 2nd Bridgeview present.
Again within the day, Mark repeatedly drove in to Chicago and Milwaukee for exhibits. Mark is an amazing supplier and an excellent man. I’ve actually missed him since he stopped coming our approach. For sure, I used to be actually wanting ahead to hanging out with Mark.
Bridgeview present promoter Nick Parsons was actually sort and accommodated us. Mark had three tables, I had two — 5 fairly nice tables of classic. I drooled on the three Paul Hornung rookies in Mark’s show case.
It was like outdated occasions, hanging out with Mark. Just a few guys got here out to see him which was a lot appreciated. The one disadvantage was that the fellows arrange behind Mark took much more house behind their tables than they need to. There was just a little barrier Mark and I needed to dance round to speak to one another. In case you are taking on greater than half the house between your desk and the supplier behind you, you’re a jerk. The fellows behind Mark had been jerks.
Jerks apart, the present had a pleasant crowd together with some autograph friends together with former White Sox gamers Neal Cotts and Geoff Blum and former Bears quarterback Bobby Douglas. My friends Will and Joe confirmed up early. Joe received autographs from Cotts and Blum. Will discovered a bunch of playing cards for his units at Mark’s tables.
I had a couple of guys cease by like Mike, Andy, and Chris. Thanks guys! Then there was the man with the actually outdated Phillies jacket who purchased a bunch of playing cards. I offered some playing cards to a different man who stated he ran an area ministry. The large winner was Nick, who bought a pile of 1971 Topps excessive numbers for his set. Thanks Nick!
On the shopping for entrance, I bought a complete set of 1956 Topps Daniel Boone. I really like classic non-sports. It has been some time since I had some Daniel Boone playing cards.
Mark appeared to do properly and was glad. He stated it was like outdated occasions. Sure! Come again quickly. We actually have to get Mark as much as Milwaukee!!
Anyway, a enjoyable day in Bridgeview. Undecided after I could make it again there. This can be a robust present to suit into my schedule however I hope to arrange in Bridgeview once more quickly!
After Bridgeview, I took the following weekend off to go see my son at Michigan State. We drove down to take a look at Ann Arbor, the place neither of us had ever been earlier than. I used to be shocked that the College of Michigan campus was so city. I choose Michigan State’s campus in East Lansing with its outdated buildings and enormous open areas. Although, total, I actually favored the city of Ann Arbor and loved strolling round.
Up subsequent is Woodstock North Excessive College, 3000 Raffel Highway, Woodstock, IL, on Saturday, February 15, 2025. I’m just a little involved in regards to the climate as snow is within the forecast. I’m going to do my finest to wade by way of the snow and arrange on Saturday. I simply reloaded my 1973 Topps baseball excessive quantity binder together with 1961 Topps soccer. I plan on bringing my basketball binders as properly.
Then on Sunday, February 16, 2025, I’m organising on the Orland Park Civic Middle the place I’ll have out all of my binders and two show instances of playing cards.
Farewell Skip
Effectively, that nice card present within the sky took in one other supplier on February 10 — my pal George “Skip” Carroll, age 78, of Huntly, IL. I’ve identified Skip 25 years or so. We met at Fred Copp’s outdated present on the Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, IL. In these days, Skip carried a considerable amount of classic sports activities playing cards however was all the time opening up the latest collection of playing cards and constructing units.
I bear in mind one present at Indian Lakes the place some a-hole stole a bunch of Skip’s classic playing cards. Sooner or later, all of us get ripped off, it’s a part of the territory but it surely nonetheless sucks nonetheless.
I loved hanging out with Skip through the years. He was an enormous White Sox fan and all the time had a factor or two to say in regards to the Sox. I favored listening to his tales about working a deli in Arizona together with his spouse. He additionally had nice Chicago mob tales. A extremely neat man and all the time a pleasure to be round. I additionally purchased a number of playing cards from Skip through the years.
After some time, I sort of thought Skip was invincible after he beat most cancers twice. Man, that sucked when he received sick and I used to be so glad when he recovered. I’m so sorry to see him go. Man, they’re having an excellent card present up within the sky. RIP Skip. I’ll all the time admire your friendship.
Trending Merchandise
