Comprehensive 2013 National Sports Collectors Convention Guide
Overview
The 2013 National Sports Collectors Convention is the biggest event of the year when it comes to sports cards and memorabilia. The 2013 National takes place at Chicago's Donald E. Stephens Convention Center from Wednesday, July 31 through Sunday, August 4. This is the event's 34th year.
About 600 dealers will be on hand, giving collectors a massive amount of cards and memorabilia to look at and purchase. About 50 corporate booths will also be set up, including major card manufacturers. The National is always a great place to find exclusive cards not available anywhere else. For many, the highlight will be meeting past and present athletes during autograph signings and photo opportunities.
2013 National Sports Collectors Convention Tickets:
- Single-Day Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door
- VIP Package: $129 in advance, $139 at the door
- Super VIP Package: $179 in advance, $189 at the door
- Kids 12 and Under: Free
Click here to buy advance tickets and get package details.
2013 National Sports Collectors Convention Hours:
- Friday, August 2: 10AM - 6PM
- Saturday, August 3: 10AM - 6PM
- Sunday, August 4: 10AM - 4PM
Directions:
Here's a map to show you how to get to the 2013 National Sports Collectors Convention
Hotels:
If you're coming from out of town, you're going to need a place to stay. Here are some of the places to stay that are near the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, the site of the 2013 National Sports Collectors Convention.
Other Things to Do in Chicago:
There's plenty happening in and around Chicago during the 2013 National. The Cubs are home to finish a series with the Brewers as well as a four-game series with the Dodgers. The White Sox are on the road during the convention. Here are some of the highlights and links to tickets:
Chicago Cubs
- August 2: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers 3:05 PM (Card album and Topps Archives baseball card giveaway)
- August 3: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers 3:05 PM (Kyuji Fujikawa bobblehead giveaway)
- August 4: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers 1:20 PM (Cubs book cover giveaway, Kids Run the Bases)
Sports Events
- Chicago Sky vs. Washington Mystics August 2, 7:30 PM
Concerts
- Lolapalooza August 2-4
- Backstreet Boys August 2, 7 PM
- Blake Shelton August 3, 7:30 PM
- Blue Man Group July 31-August 4, various times
Click here for a full slate of Chicago and area events from July 31 to August 4.
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Autographs
The 2013 National Sports Collectors Convention autograph guest lineup has a definite 1990s feel to it. Frank Thomas, Cal Ripken Jr, Rickey Henderson, Chipper Jones, Randy Johnson, Mike Piazza, Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez are among those confirmed for the five-day show.
Although baseball dominates, other sports will be represented as well. Football's Bart Starr and boxer Sugar Ray Leonard are among them.
Autograph tickets are available now. Prices range from $20 up to $199 for basic items. Premium items like jersey often cost more, particularly for the most notable names. Many athletes are also available for other upgrades like photo opportunities and inscriptions. For those looking to possibly sell their items in the future, TriStar is also offering on-site authentication for $7. Please check the TRISTAR's site for a full price list and advance tickets.
Eighteen signers are available for free to VIP and Super VIP ticket holders. VIP admission packages, which start at $129, include entrance on every day of the event as well as 12 VIP autograph tickets. Super VIP packages start at $179 and come with admission for the duration of the 2013 National and autograph tickets to all 18 VIP signers. For an additional $100, ticket holders can get front-of-the-line access for all autograph signings. These upgrades also have some additional perks. Tickets for the 2013 National Sports Collectors Convention can be purchased here.
2013 National Sports Collectors Convention Autograph Signers
Autograph lineup is subject to change. * notes VIP signers.
Wednesday, July 31
Neal Anderson 4:30 PM
Dwight Gooden 4:30 PM
Bob Beamon 5:00 PM
Dick Fosbury 5:00 PM
Milt Pappas* 5:30 PM
Mel Renfro* 5:45 PM
Luis Aparicio - cancelled
Thursday, August 1
Luis Aparicio 11:00 AM
Marv Levy 11:00 AM
Dan Fouts 11:15 AM
Jim Morrissey* 11:15 AM
Bob St. Clair 11:30 AM
Tony Gwynn Cancelled
Paul Krause 12:00 PM
Rick Monday* 12:00 PM
Ron Turcotte 12:00 PM
Jean Cruguet 12:30 PM
Joe Greene 12:30 PM
Ron Mix 12:30 PM
Eric Dickerson 12:45 PM
Steve Cauthen 1:00 PM
Jim Palmer 1:15 PM
Pat Day 1:30 PM
Archie Griffin 2:00 PM
Jorge Velasquez 2:15 PM
Laffit Pincay 2:15 PM
Ronnie Bull* 2:30 PM
Troy Smith 2:30 PM
Lawrence Taylor 3:00 PM
Patrick Valenzuela 3:00 PM
Frank Gifford 3:15 PM
Eddie Olczyk* 3:15 PM
Dan Hampton 4:00 PM
Friday, August 2
Terry Baker 11:15 AM
Gary Beban* 11:30 AM
Bobby Hull 11:30 AM
Tony Esposito 12:00 PM
Bob Gibson 1:00 PM
Paul Molitor 1:00 PM
Jim Rice 1:15 PM
Dennis Eckersley 1:30 PM
Elvin Hayes 1:45 PM
Ozzie Smith 1:45 PM
Chris Mullin 2:00 PM
Carlton Fisk 2:15 PM
Ron Kittle* 2:30 PM
Larry Brown 2:45 PM
Mike Ditka 3:00 PM
Brian Campbell 3:30 PM
Pat Listach* 3:30 PM
Jerry Lucas 4:00 PM
Bret Saberhagen 4:15 PM
Saturday, August 3
Pedro Martinez 11:00 AM
Mia Hamm 11:15 AM
Brandon Webb 11:30 AM
Sugar Ray Leonard 12:00 PM
Cal Ripken Jr. 12:00 PM
Bart Starr 12:15 PM
Mike Piazza 12:30 PM
Chipper Jones 1:00 PM
Randy Johnson 1:15 PM
Rickey Henderson 1:30 PM
Reggie Jackson 1:30 PM
Bob Griese 2:00 PM
Frank Thomas 2:15 PM
Ernie Banks 3:00 PM
Lou Holtz 3:00 PM
Murray Bannerman* 3:15 PM
Roberto Duran 3:15 PM
Damian Lillard 3:15 PM
Jermaine Dye 3:30 PM
Rich "Goose" Gossage 3:30 PM
Jerome Walton* 3:45 PM
Roy Jones Jr 4:00 PM
David Justice 4:00 PM
Tommy "Hit Man" Hearns 4:30 PM
Larry Holmes 4:30 PM
Sugar Shane Mosley 4:45 PM
Sunday, August 4
Roger Clemens 11:00 AM
Fergie Jenkins 11:00 AM
Tommy Lasorda 11:00 AM
Johnny Bench 11:15 AM
Joe Morgan 11:15 AM
Ralph Garr* 11:30 AM
Pete Rose 11:30 AM
Steve Garvey 11:45 AM
LaMarr Hoyt* 11:45 AM
Gary Peters* 11:45 AM
Tony Perez 11:45 AM
Eddie Murray 12:15 PM
Roberto Alomar 1:00 PM
Billy Williams 1:00 PM
Jack McDowell* 1:45 PM
Wade Boggs 2:00 PM
Eric Davis* 2:30 PM
Jeff Reardon* 2:45 PM
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Cards
2013 National Sports Collectors Convention Exclusive Sports Cards
Several sports card manufacturers will offer exclusive cards at the 2013 National Sports Collectors Convention. You can find details below. We'll continue to add more info as it's released.
Famous Fabrics Ink
Horrors of Wars II Redemption: Those who open a sealed case of ten boxes of 2013 Famous Fabrics Ink Horrors of War II receive a redemption for a one-of-one Art Relic of their choice. Cards will be made and delivered after the show. Quantities are limited.
Music, Music, Music Beatles Draw: More than a year in the making, the winner of a cut signature card featuring all four of the Beatles. The company has been eliminating potential winners since Music, Music, Music released early last summer. The draw is scheduled for Saturday, August 3 at 1PM.
In the Game
VIP Package: In the Game has produced a nine-card set for VIPs called Chi-Town Enshrined. The art-based cards celebrate some of the host city's all-time hockey greats. The checklist includes Max Bentley, Roy Conacher, Tony Esposito, Charlie Gardiner, Glenn Hall, Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Bill Mosienko and Pierre Pilote.
Leaf
VIP Package: Covering a broad spectrum of sports and pop culture, Leaf's VIP set has a little bit of a lot of things. The six-card checklist includes Yasiel Puig, Ric Flair, Frank Thomas, Pete Rose, Hope Solo, Royce Gracie and Dave Hester.
Leaf Bucks: Collectors who open select Leaf products at the company's booth will be given special Leaf Bucks. These can be redeemed for exclusive cards and other items. Highlights include new Leaf Valiant Damian Lillard Rookie of the Year autographs, six Yasiel Puig cards available nowhere else and a Johnny Manziel autographed sketch card. A Josh Gibson cut signature card will also be given away.
Panini
Panini is going to be very active at the 2013 National Sports Collectors Convetion. Card highlights are below. Full details of all their activities can be found on their blog.
Wrapper Redemption: Panini is once again producing a comprehensive wrapper redemption set that encompasses baseball, basketball, football and hockey. Inserts include Chicago-themed Team Colors and Diamond Kings. Autographs, memorabilia cards and athlete-drawn sketch cards also appear.
VIP Package: Panini has a six-card set available to 2013 National Sports Collectors Convention VIP ticket holders. The checklist includes EJ Manuel, Nail Yakupov, Oscar Taveras, Geno Smith, Nerlens Noel and Ben McLemore. To receive a set, VIPs must take the coupon from their arrival package to the Panini booth.
Press Pass
VIP Package: Each 2013 National Sports Collectors Convention VIP gift bag comes with five FanFare Fan Following cards featuring NASCAR drivers Danica Patrick, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Jimmy Johnson and Tony Stewart.
Mystery Packs: Those who buy a 2013 Press Pass NASCAR product at the National in Chicago will receive an exclusive two-card Mystery Pack. Each special pack has one autograph not available anywhere else that's numbered to 10 or less. The checklist has about 50 drivers. The second card in each pack is an exclusive 2013 Press Pass FanFare parallel that's numbered to 3.
Topps
Wrapper Redemption: Topps has eight different exclusive cards styled after the 1952 Bowman Baseball design. Each card is drawn by James Henry Smith who recently contributed Canvas Collection cards in 2013 Topps Museum Collection. The cards are limited to one hundred per day, per subject, and one subject per day, per person. Collectors must open three hobby packs in front of a Topps representative from any 2013 Topps or Bowman product. Each card is limited to 100 copies per day. The checklist includes four baseball and four football players:
2013 Bowman Platinum Baseball Redemption: Topps has produced an exclusive 25-card set for those who open a sealed box of 2013 Bowman Platinum Baseball at the show. The 2013 Bowman Platinum foil set is limited to 500 numbered copies. Randomly inserted are also autograph cards from such players as Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa, Taijuan Walker. There is also as a Yasiel Puig autograph redemption. Collectors will need to open a fully sealed hobby box of 2013 Bowman Platinum Baseball in front of a Topps representative at the show. The promotion is limited to 100 sets per day, and one per person. Because of the small quantities each day, lining up early is a wise move.
Shop for 2013 Bowman Platinum Baseball National Convention exclusives.
2013 Topps Gypsy Queen Yasiel Puig: Collectors who open a box of 2013 Topps Tribute World Baseball Classic at the Topps booth qualify for an exclusive Gypsy Queen Yasiel Puig card. Collectors can get one per day. A maximum of 100 will be given out each day.
Shop for 2013 Topps Gypsy Queen Yasiel Puig National Convention exclusives.
2013 Topps Mini Baseball: Although 2013 Topps Mini Baseball is intended to be an online exclusive, 2013 National attendees will have first dibs
Upper Deck
VIP Package: Upper Deck has a six-card set for VIP pass holders. The checklist includes players from all four major sports: Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Wayne Gretzky, Tiger Woods, Jonathan Toews and Frank Thomas.
Wrapper Redemption: Each day Upper Deck has a different set of wrapper redemption cards. To get a pack, collectors must make a qualifying purchase from a Certified Diamond Dealer that's set up at the show. To qualify for a pack, collectors can buy:
- Five packs of: 2013 SPx Football, 2013 Upper Deck Football (Hobby), 2012-13 SP Authentic Basketball, 2012-13 NHL SP Authentic or 2013 Goodwin Champions or
- Two packs of: 2012 Fleer Retro Football, 2012-13 NHL Fleer Retro or 2012-13 Fleer Retro Basketball
Upper Deck wrapper redemption packs change each day. Here's the lineup:
Rory McIlroy
Mark McGwire
Troy Glaus
Jonathan Toews
Cheyenne Woods
Friday
LeBron James
Tony Cingrani
Wayne Gretzky
Tony Gwynn
Brandon Saad
Tiger Woods
Bobby Hull
Reggie Jackson
Pete Incaviglia
Ken Griffey Jr.
Sunday
Michael Jordan
Frank Thomas
Patrick Kane
Darryl Strawberry
Jim Abbott
Autographs are randomly inserted in Upper Deck's five-card wrapper redemption packs.
Dynamics ePlate Packs: Collectors who apply for a Dynamics ePlate Visa at the 2013 National Sports Collectors Convention receive a free pack of Upper Deck Infinite cards that are exclusive to the rewards program.
Upper Deck has a bunch of other activities planned for the 2013 NSCC for both collectors and dealers. You can get full details about them on Upper Deck's blog.
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CC Radio
Visit Cardboard Connection Radio at Booth #C1
Cardboard Connection Radio will be broadcasting live from the National throughout the duration of the event. Everyday there will be at least one live broadcast from the show. Visit the crew at booth #C1.
In addition to the live shows, there will be some special events for collectors to enjoy including:
Friday, August 2, 2013 12 Noon-4pm – Special autograph guest: Lisa Marie Varon, aka Tara from Impact Wrestling, aka Victoria from WWE. Autographs are free for collectors in attendance.
Saturday, August 3, 2013 – Artist Sean Kane of PaintedGloveCollectibles.com will be at our booth showing off his amazing skills and painting in person.
Sunday, August 4, 2013 – Sam Smith from CardSmithsBreaks.com will conduct a live case break of 2012-13 Panini Rookie Anthology Hockey at our booth. Two lucky listeners will earn spots in the break.
Throughout the week, collectors can get their hands on special NSCC Cardboard Connection Radio gear, mystery trading card packs and more.
Other
Brian Kong
Artist Brian Kong, who has worked on numerous sports and entertainment trading card sets, has a pair of exclusive Matt Harvey and Yasiel Puig cards available for free at the show. He also has a limited edition mini card set featuring Bryce Harper, Yasiel Puig, Mike Trout and Manny Machado. Collectors can get free autographs from Kong as well as watch him create new artwork.
Booth #787
Goldin Auctions
Every day, Goldin Auctions is giving away a $100 gift certificate to someone who signs up for their Fall Catalog. If you're already on their mailing list, you can enter by confirming with them. At the end of the week, they'll do a grand prize draw for a $1,000 Goldin Auctions gift certificate that's good through October, 2014.
They will also have a variety of high-end memorabilia on display, previewing items from their Fall Catalog. These include game-used bats from Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Roberto Clemente, a 1996 Derek Jeter game-used helmet, and "The Cambridge Find" of more than 170 19th Century cards.
Booth #656
Leland's Auctions
Leland's is bringing some impressive pieces to sell and showcase at the 2013 National Sports Collectors Convention. Among them is a T206 Honus Wagner. The card comes with a price tag of $1.2 million. Other items include a ball from Roberto Clemente's final game, an 1881 Michigan football program and a Yankees pinstripe #3 jersey worn by George Selkirk, Babe Ruth's replacement.
Leland's will also be actively buying at the show.
Booths 1000P and 1002P
Panini VIP Party
Panini is hosting a very exclusive party on Saturday. It is by invitation only. Collectors can earn an invitation by being one of the first 75 people to spend $7,500 on select Panini products at the show. There's also another promotion that allows five collectors to get in by buying at least $3,500 worth of Panini products at the show using a Dynamics ePlate Visa. Among the party's confirmed guests include Yasiel Puig, Pedro Martinez, Chris Chelios, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Thomas Robinson. DJ Kool will be providing the music.
BERNY
bring it back to saint louis , houston hell try phoenix that would be good as well .