Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of the Bonkers Cards Newsletter.
This weekly email keeps you up to date on all things Bonkers Cards - from updates on breaks we are running, new videos posted, card shows I'm going to, recent news in the hobby, and my viewpoint on the vintage card market.
Thank you for subscribing, and I hope you enjoy.
2 Card Shows - 1 Weekend!
This past weekend I was busy at both the Morris County Card Show AND the Garfield NJ show - both were an excellent time!
Here are 3 key takeaways from both shows this weekend:
The card show circuit in the NJ area is really strong. Even in the "slow time" of year for card shows, the attendance for both shows was excellent. Even as the online and LIVE marketplace continues to expand in customers and audience, there is something about being in person at events that collectors enjoy. I expect attendance to continue to rise at card shows locally, and on the national circuit in 2024.
The best deals on cards at shows typically come from the best relationships. The more time you spend at a dealers table, and the more deals you make with a dealer over time, typically lends you the best discount on cards. If you have a regular local show, be mindful of the dealers who are always there, or the dealers that seemed to be priced fairly. Try and make it a point to always say hello to them and get to know them!
Dealers are finally coming down to comps in many categories of vintage. Since the parabolic spike in 2020 and 2021, card prices have been normalzing. This has caused many cards to come down in value over the last few years 20-50% depending on the card or player. (Not as much in vintage baseball, that has held up much better than the broader market). However earlier this year and last year, dealers still were mostly holding onto 2021 and 2020 prices if thats what they bought the cards for. I am seeing finally dealers letting go of the idea that they are going to get 2021 prices. That is a great thing for collecters, and the market as a whole.
I am planning on attending some big National-Level shows in 2024, including Dallas, Nashville, Chantilly, Philadelphia, and of course the National in Cleveland. I will continue to report on my expereinces at shows, and keep you all informed of any trends or take-aways I gather from these larger shows.
Dates for the 2024 Morris County Card Show are here:
New YouTube Video out! -When Baseball Was Still Topps
This past week I had an amazing interview with author Phil Coffin, talking about his new book, "When Baseball Was Still Topps" - a collection of short stories from all 572 cards and players in the 1959 Topps set.
Phil has had an incredible career as a writer and editor currently working at the NY Times, and I had the chance to sit down with him and talk about his journey writing the book, and of course had to get into some fun baseball stories!
The link to the full YouTube and Podcast Episode on Spotify is here:
My favorite part of the interview might have been our conversation about Ed Mathews and Hank Aaron, here is a clip!
NEW! The Consignment Corner!
I am adding a new segment to the Newsletter this week and going forward! Starting in 2024, I will be adding a select conisgment opportunity for the Bonkers Cards Channel.
I typically operate on buying cards outright for my show each week, but starting in 2024 I will be open to taking consignment for higher value cards that I know you all will find interesting.
This week's first consignment corner piece is absolutely ICONIC. It is in my opinion, one of the best cards to invest into for the long term in the hobby, and would be a staple piece for any vintage collection: The Willie Mays, 1951 Bowman Rookie Card!
This is a BEAUTIFUL copy of this card - and a although the grade is a 1, it looks better than almost any 1-2 grade card I have seen.
Here is the current market for Willie Mays in SGC 1 on Ebay, we have this card priced below all availble Grade 1 Willie Mays cards at the moment, and is a higher eye appeal example than any on the current market:
If you would like to purchase the card, it is availble on my website here:
For any inquiries please email me at bonkerscards@gmail.com or message me on Instagram @bonkerscards.
Roberto Clemente and Ernie Banks GIVEAWAY!
We are getting SO CLOSE on our Roberto Clemente and Ernie Banks Giveaway!
We need to hit 1k followers on Instagram @bonkerscards and on my back-up TikTok account @Bonkerscards2 (also, we are approaching 1k on YouTube as well if you can subscribe there!)
Once we do I am giving away both cards!
LIVE show schedule this week:
NONE! I am taking this week off for the holidays, I might jump on and do a pop up show here or there to say hi to you guys, and if I have any straggler cards come in the mail this week.
This past Sunday LIVE show was INCREDIBLE! We had nealry 6,000 people watch the show, and I had 37 packages go out yesterday to the post office to help add to all of your vintage collections.
I was overwhlemed with the kind words many of you shared following the show, and realizing how the channel has grown this past year. I will be writing more on this next week, but a sincere thank you too all of you who have been tuning in and enjoying watching the show and buying cards.
You are all awesome.
Market Movers! Affiliate Information:
This past week, I was accpeted as an offical affiliate of the MarketMovers App - Market Movers is a fantastic resource for you to track the value of your sports card collection, and research the current market prices of any cards you are looking to buy.
I will be making more videos in the new year about Market Movers, but for the time being, if you want to download the app or pay for the service, you can get a 14 Day Free Trial, and 20% off for LIFE when you use the Promo Code "BONKERS" when downloading.
Helpful Links
WhatNot download code: (Get $15 Gift Card when downloading the app using this link!) https://www.whatnot.com/invite/bonker...
Zion Cases Link:
(Would make for an awesome Christmas gift idea! These are the cases I use when at shows! - use promo code "GORDONBONKER" for 10% off!)
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