As regular as the tide, the second Sunday of every month brings the Connecticut collectors out to East Cahtolic High School in Manchester, CT for the ECH show put on by Terranova Productions, LLC.  A long running, local (Connecticut) show, I have been setting up here as a dealler for the past two plus years.  Today brought out approximately 25 dears, purveying everything from product wax, supplies, modern card dealers, vintage dealers, NASCAR dealers (ok, dealer), as well as those selling odds and ends associated with the collectible industry (eg, vintage Sports Illustrated magazines, artwork, signed memorabillia, etc…).  From ridell hockey masks to matchbox cards it was here today.

For this show in particular I find weather is a big determining factor.  Really, outside of nuts like us who wants to drive through snow, ice and or pouring rain to check out pictures of men ;).  Today weather was no issue, nice and cook with bright blue sky led to a fair turnout.  While not in possession of numbers, I would say about 150 plus came through the doors to the cafeteria.  Possibly more, hard to keep track of.  All the usual suspects were here (you know who you are), plus a few new faces.  However, of important note, the other Duck fan in Connecticut made an appearance, always nice to see someone other than my reflection sporting Oregon green.    Additionally, the late afternoon brought out some of the local NASCAR hotties, so here is a special thank you for brightening up our afternoon. 

Typical for shows in this area, the 80% of the people walking around (dealers, voyers, buyers alike) were checking out baseball.  100% of my showcase sales were baseball prospects; 100% of my showcase trading involved baseball and or baseball prospects; while all of my $4 dollar box (have to be different) sales were primarily football, with a small mix of hockey and basketball jerseys mixed in for good measure.  Sadly, not a great show for obtaining inventory, although I managed a trade with another dealer for some good new prospects.   On a normal weekend here, Hockey sales account for 20% or more of my transactions, today was a slow day in that regard. 

In terms of my inventory, the most asked about cards in my showcase were my 07 Chrome Fernando Martinez Refractor, Beau Mills Refractor (sold) and Lincecum refractor/base autos.  In all honesty, if I didn’t have some prospects mixed in with the football showcase I don’t think I would have even opened it today.  Same goes for Hockey, although I did point to that case a few times.

Overall, between sales, purchases and trades about $650 of value passed through my table.  Nowhere near what I would like to be frank, but one cannot put a price tag on the right to spend the day hanging out with other collectors and enjoying peace away from wives and dogs.  Until next week.

 Late Edit:  Here is the only picture I have, will do better going forward.

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