My Afternoon at the Long Beach Expo

This past weekend was the Long Beach Expo, so I decided to head out there on Saturday to check things out.  I received a free admission ticket due to my PSA Collectors Universe Set Registry membership.  (I know I haven't spoken about this in the past, but I've been slowly putting together a completely graded, PSA 7 or better, 1961 Fleer set)  I wasn't planning on purchasing anything this afternoon, but I ended up walking away with a handful of vintage cards.  Unfortunately, I haven't scanned them yet, so pics are not included in this post.  I'll scan them later tonight and post them up tomorrow.

Of special note, there were several notable autograph guest slated to appear.  So, going to the show had the extra benefit of seeing some stars.  On the left below is a peek at Jerry West, to the right is Magic Johnson, and below them was Darryl Strawberry.  The Straw-Man was not there as an autograph guestt.  I didn't see him sign for anyone, but I also didn't hang around long enough to find out.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

Another reason to go to this show was to see 7 different T206 Honus Wagner cards all at one place. The Wagner in the Black bordered lucite case was graded at a PSA 5 and will be on auction soon.  The attractive sales model speculated that it would sell for over a million dollars, and could come close to the record setting price sold for the PSA 8 Wagner (approximately at the low $2Million mark).  She went to say that the PSA 8 Wagner is likely worth over $8Million.  Personally, I think that's just a bunch of sales talk, but considering the mystic and controversy of that card, my jaw wouldn't drop if it sold for that much.  

Since the Long Beach Expo is more known for being a gathering place for coin, stamp and currency collectors there were some great non-sports related memorabilia on display.  For instance, check out a Peace Medal Exhibit below.

I also chatted a bit with someone from Legendary Auctions.  They had a small display near the autograph area.  Below are some photos I look of what they had to show.  Of note is the small pin on the left side, below.  It is a 1915 PM1 pin purported to be of Babe Ruth, and is the only example of him known to exist.  On the right side, below, is an early 1910's Ty Cobb Tobacco Tin.  Only a dozen are thought to exist today.

On the left is a 1912 S81 Turkish Trophies Large Silk Premium of Ty Cobb, and on the right is a 1951 Stan Musial game-used road jersey.

I also stopped by the Goldin Auctions table to take a closer look at the Tip Top Bread Labels near-set (at the very bottom below- red bordered).  It is missing just one card, and includes all known variations.  The Roy Campanella and Duke Snider labels are at the very bottom right.  These are extremely rare to find in any condition.  Above the labels are various key vintage cards; (from left to right) like a Babe Ruth strip card, a 1909 E90-1 Joe Jackson rookie card, a 1933 Goudey Napoleon Lajoie, a 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth, and 1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig.  The card at the very top is a Exhibit card with Babe Ruth.

(pic via GoldinAuction facebook)

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