HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1997-03-05, Page 13Second Section - March 5, 1997
Interest dwindles in Exeter Sports Card Show
A combination of higher prices and fewer dealers has contributed to a market slump
By Brenda Burke
T -A Reporter
EXETER - Eight dealers from Crediton, Hensall, Seaforth,
Stratford, Goderich, Ingersoll and Woodstock watch over
their tables stacked with sports cards for browsers to glance
at, take an interest in and hopefully buy.
Ivan Boa, who began the local show in 1993, has noticed a
drop in interest for the cards in general. He became involved
with cards when they hit a popularity streak in the late 80's
and early 90's - a time when prices were driven down due to
high supply and demand.
Those were the good old days when kids collected sports
cards. Then, Boa claims companies competed to see who
could produce the best quality card at the highest price. It
was also when card companies began to add inserts (special
additional cards) to packs - a move that helped drive up
prices.
"Before, everybody was after (cards)," he explained,
"When we first.got into it, $15 bought you a box of cards."
Now a box of 90 to 240 cards is worth $80 to $140. Recently,
metal cards have hit the market at $10 to $11 for a pack of
three'or four.
Youths are not into collecting cards these days, explained
Boa. When they do buy, "they just want certain players."
"A lot of guys now, they specialize," he added. "Nobody
wants to buy sets anymore...Right now there (are) more
people (who) collett
There are fewer dealers involved in the card trade but Boa
claims baby boomers such as himself are,beginning to take
up the challenge.
He estimates 30 -some people attended Saturday's event'
held at the Legion. That's less than half the number of last
year's showing.
"We don't get a big crowd," he admitted, adding those
who do take an interest are out to take a, look, connect with a
dealer and often make a purchase at a later date.
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Ivan Boa, organizer of the show, claims interest insports cards has dwindled following
a popularity streak in the late 1980's and early 1990's.
Jim Smale, of Hensall, was one of eight dealers at the Exeter Sports Card Show held at
the Legion on Saturday. Smale has been collecting hockey and baseball cards since the
early 1950's.
Spring review
More than 100 Villa residents, family and friends enjoyed live entertainment at the
Exeter Villa on Saturday during their annual Spring Review party. Left, Samantha
Gardiner, pictured here with Mary Connolly, Grandma, Barb Keys and Pearl Merkley was
one of the 17 people who performed. She sang songs including "Amazing Grace" and
"Sunshine Mountain."
4
Mike Russelo, of
Goderich, displays ' two
valuable Bobby Orr
cards at the show. The
cards are worth
$2,500 and $ 700 in
"mint condition." Rus-
selo has had the cards
for six months.
411
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all I
ome to Murphy's on St. Patrick's IDay
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Local Entertainment
4 Fri., March 14 - 9 p.m. - 2 a. m. ti
Sat. March 15 - Road Hockey Tournament
Sun., March 16 - Road Hockey Playoffs
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SUNDAY BRUNCH - 10 - 2 ■
Many Prizes to be won all Weekend Long
See bar for details)
Murphy's Pub & Eatery
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125 Main St. Exeter
235-0271
"Your Nel a borhood Pub"
4