Sports collecting is alive and well in the Northwest

Display from the 2015 show

The longest running sports card and memorabilia show in the country will be in Shoreline.

Washington State Sports Collectors Association (WSSCA) slates their 44th Annual Summer Convention for June 4 and 5, 2016 in Shoreline at Meridian Park Elementary School, N 175th and Meridian Ave N.

Saturday, June 4, 9-5 and Sunday, June 5, 9-3
Admission $3, 12 and under are free

Those that think that sports card and memorabilia collecting is a bygone hobby may want to think again. A new generation of collectors who grew up swapping cards of Jose Canseco and Ken Griffey Jr. are making their way back into a hobby that has seen areas of steady growth in recent years.

Some new adult collectors choose to revisit their childhood cards of the 1980’s, while others, now in the 30’s and 40’s, are choosing to go after the cards they coveted as kids, bearing names like Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth.

“Some guys have deep pockets and go after the big time vintage stuff, but there’s plenty of room for the little guys to have fun, too”, says Conor Donahue, WSSCA VP of Publicity. “Even with just a few bucks in your pocket, there’s no reason you can’t walk out of our show with a stack of cool stuff. Our dealers do a nice job of catering to all budgets.”

Just like the kids of the 1950’s fueled a hobby renaissance in the 1980’s by seeking to rebuild their childhood collections, in the words of the late Yankee great Yogi Berra, ‘Its déjà vu, all over again’. With the stars once idolized in the 80’s now becoming eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame, those players are becoming popular again.

Other than a seemingly endless selection of sports cards ranging from the 19th century to present day, the convention features autographs and collectibles spanning just about every sport and price range. With over 40 dealer tables and the availability of lunch, another perk is the popular door prizes, which typically include autographs, memorabilia and gift certificates good towards anything in the room.

“It’s amazing how many people think this hobby has vanished”, says Donahue. “Shops and shows may be dwindling, but on-line sales are brisk, particularly of quality material. Our shows are meant to get collectors out from behind their computer screens and face to face with other collectors and dealers. It really is a fun atmosphere, for kids and adults alike.”

More information available here.

If you miss the show, there is a local card shop in Lake Forest Park - Diamond in the Mall, Lake Forest Park Town Center, Lake Forest Park 98155, 206-384-7652. (See previous article)