Friday was one of the most interesting days I have ever experienced in the hobby. The card show itself was pretty much the normal setup that I expected, but it’s what took place after the show, which made for the special moments.

Right after the show T.S. O’Connell and I scrambled to the reception put on by Topps where NBA No. 1 pick Greg Oden was available to take pictures with fans. I actually got the opportunity to chat with Oden very briefly and told him I was from Wisconsin. The former Ohio State standout chuckled, probably because he beat up on my Badgers quite a bit last season.
The reception was set up pretty cool. The venue was a swanky little restaurant right outside of Cleveland, where they served some interesting hors d'oeuvre's, including hot dogs. I was wondering what the heck a nice place like this would be serving hot dogs for and then I realized that they were actually Kobe beef dogs, with a Wasabi-type mustard. Crazy.

After the party we had to hustle on over to the big Mastro auction at The House of Blues. Up until last night the only time I have ever made it over to a HOB is to hit a concert… The auction was set up right where a band would normally perform and the bidders sat in the theater seating.

All the major players from the show were there, including a few big collectors whom I never met. The first and last items sold in the auction probably drew the most excitement. Both were won from men I never saw before and neither would comment about their purchase.
Lot No. 1 was a 1912 T215 “Pirate” Cigarettes SGC-graded near set, which sold for nearly $1 million after the buyer’s premium. The final lot, lot No. 83, was the T206 Honus Wagner card, which sold for $160,000.

As I type this blog I am sitting at the SCD booth on the show floor. It is Saturday at about noon and floor traffic is rather slow. It’s such a big venue that it’s a little tough to guage the actual flow, but I think it could be busier.

Right now I am going to fun over to the autograph pavilion to try to get some photos of the signers for you guys.

Here ya go!




Gordie Howe