Biggest sports collector convention opens Wednesday in Rosemont
Tony Gordon started collecting trading cards, particularly baseball cards, in 1975 at age 8. His passion for the hobby, as the sports memorabilia industry is commonly called, is still strong - at age 50.
"I love it as much today," said Gordon, of Lincolnshire, who will be one of about 800 aficionados selling their wares at the 38th annual National Sports Collectors Convention, a five-day event, known simply as The National, which kicks off Wednesday, July 26, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.
"At the National, I feel like a kid again. The amount of material there is amazing. You don't need to buy anything to have a great time because you will see the most amazing sports collectibles."
An attorney, Gordon sells sports memories and mementos year-round, specializing in vintage cards. "The National is the largest and best event of the year for the sports collecting hobby," he said.
"The National is the premier event of sports collecting," said Mark Dehem, a collector/dealer from Macomb, Michigan. "Although I know I can't buy everything I see, I still enjoy walking around looking at everything. It is still amazing - all the unique memorabilia under one roof."
More than 25,000 people are expected to attend The National - the Super Bowl of Sports Memorabilia.
The National is "the largest, most exciting sports collector's show of the year," said Jeffrey Rosenberg, CEO of Houston-based Tristar Productions Inc.
More than 100 sporting celebrities will be signing autographs - from Alex Rodriguez to Mike Tyson, from Bobby Hull, Barry Sanders and Cal Ripken to Pete Rose, Guy LaFleur and Lance Armstrong.
The entertainment world will be represented by Henry Winkler, best known for his role as The Fonz on "Happy Days," who will be signing, too.
And the sports-entertainment mix of WWE comes out as well, with former multi-time World Heavyweight Champion Bill Goldberg appearing.
About 30 of the autograph signers have never appeared at a past National, such as David Ross.
The National isn't just about autographs. It is trading cards, game-worn uniforms, souvenirs of every possible sport, and more. Here's some of what to expect at The National:
• Breakers Pavilion
New and old card boxes of cards will be opened on the spot - with appearances by athletes, YouTube and Twitch personalities. Breaks will be broadcast via live video streams and social media.
• Giveaways and opportunities
A long-running tradition at The National is giveaways and card wrapper redemption programs. For instance, Never Enough Cards/Sports Evolution Marketing invites kids ages 12 and younger to build a free Lego Minifigure.
PSA is giving away signed, game-used bats, one each from Frank Thomas, Derek Jeter and Kris Bryant - with a combined value of $10,000. Attendees also can have their picture taken with any of the three bats. That picture then will be placed on a custom trading card and encapsulated in a PSA holder with a PSA special label.
• Card manufacturers
The card companies will be giving away exclusive cards and sets and running wrapper-redemption programs.
Leaf will have a redemption for a Conor McGregor/Floyd Mayweather dual autograph card, limited to five.
Panini will be giving away special cards, including one of new Bears quarterback Mitch Tribisky.
Topps will be revealing the National Baseball Card Day checklist for the event Aug. 12.
Upper Deck will have rare cards of Michael Jordan, Patrick Kane, Bobby Hull and LeBron James, among others.
Convention ticket prices start at $19 online and $22 at the door; free for kids 12 and younger. For more information, go to www.nsccshow.com.
For more information about the autograph guests at The National, go to www.tristarproductions.com.
Key facts
What: 38th annual National Sports Collectors Convention
Where: Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont
Hours: 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Who: 25,000 collectors are expected to attend
Celebrities: More than 100 are scheduled to sign autographs, including Mike Tyson, Cal Ripken, Bobby Hull, Brian Urlacher, Bill Goldberg and David Ross
Sign here, please: About 1,000 Sharpie pens will be used to autograph about 45,000 8-by-10-inch photos