From: dlee@oasys.dt.navy.mil (David Lee)
Newsgroups: rec.collecting.cards
Subject: Re: 93 Baseball UD and Topps observations
Date: 12 Jan 93 13:04:56 GMT
Reply-To: dlee@oasys.dt.navy.mil (David Lee)
Organization: Carderock Division, NSWC, Bethesda, MD

In rec.collecting.cards, bg349@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (L. C. Smallacombe) writes:
>     I attended the Tuff Stuff Winter Classic Show this past
>weekend in Richmond, VA.  There were about 250 dealers there
>from approximately 12 states.  If anyone is interested in
>the availability/price etc. of a certain product e-mail me and
>I will try and give you any info I can remember.

>     I think the most notable thing about the show was the
>resurgence of pre-1980 cards.  I also attended the Fall Classic
>and it was about 80% new 20% old cards.  This time around was
>closwer to 70% old to 30% new.  Interesting, huh?


Just my comments below....

I also attended the show on Saturday; the weather was bad, rain and
cold.. It seems when the weather is bad, card, stamps,..etc shows are
always crowded.. This was my third consecutive Tuff Stuff Classic show..
It was also the most heavily asttended of the three.. I would have to
question whether or not there were 250 dealers present; it seemed to
me to be the smallest of the last three in Richmond.. A section of dealer
tables were removed from the middle aisle for this show for some reason
and a larger percentage of the dealers were selling only sports collectibles
such as balls, hats, bats jerseys,..etc. and no cards; I would guess perhaps
as many of 1/4. Of course Tom Glavine and Hank Aaron were signing and this
might have increase the attendance.. I would estimate about 125 maybe as
many as 150 dealers were present. It's still the biggest show around the
middle-Atlantic states. When I first went down last year, I was prepared
for a super show as the publisher of Tuff Stuff is the promoter.. I was a
little disappointed in that the show was not better run.. The admission is
$5.00 at the door and basically, you get nothing for your money except the
chance of winning a door prize through hourly drawings.. Several of us in
the Northern Virginia area car pool and drive down to Richmond for the
day to attend the show...

The aisles were very crowded in some sections and it was difficult to move
around.. Some tables were packed and looking at cards was impossible.. My
group left early around 1:30 pm because it was no longer fun.. No place
to sit and rest; too many people and impossible to move... For those seeking
autographs, it was a mad house.. Long lines everywhere; but they moved..

If you think this large a show will give you cheap prices, forget it.. There
is competition, but not on the newer material..You will find a lot more
variety and some dealers do have "bargain" boxes and show specials if you
are willing to spend the time to sort through stacks of cards.. You will
see a lot of dealers that do not attend the smaller, local shows and
therefore might stock a card you can't find locally... But beware, these
dealers are like any other dealers, you have to check your material and
watch your prices..but, it can be lot's of fun!!!

Conclusion... THis show is like any other local show, except more of the
same... BUT, it can afford to draw bigger sports names for autographs!!
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