By Ray Schulte, SchulteSports.com

Brooks Robinson and Cal Ripken are among the more than 75 athletes who have committed to sign at the Tri-Star Autograph Pavilion at this year's National Sports Collectors Convention in Baltimore. (Mitch Stringer/PressBox)

The multi-billion sports and entertainment collectibles industry eagerly awaits the calendar turning to Aug. 4. For the first time, the National Sports Collectors Convention will be held in Charm City, at the Baltimore Convention Center Aug. 4-8.

The National is the collectible industry’s premier annual showcase. Approximately 700 exhibitors from coast to coast will converge in Baltimore, including new and vintage game-used memorabilia dealers, authentication companies, professional league collectible licensees, trading card manufacturers and dealers, and national auction houses.

In addition, more than 75 athletes including Orioles Hall of Famers Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Cal Ripken, Jim Palmer, Eddie Murray and Earl Weaver; and Colts Hall of Famers Raymond Berry, Art Donovan, Lenny Moore and Gino Marchetti have committed to sign at the Tri-Star Autograph Pavilion. Other baseball and football greats scheduled to attend include Joe Montana, Willie Mays, Jerry Rice, Bart Starr, Dick Butkus, Ozzie Newsome, Jim Brown, Andre Dawson, Barry Sanders, Randy Johnson and Earl Morrall, to name just a few.

Open to the public, the family-oriented event promises to provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for collectors and fans alike. The East Coast hasn’t experienced a collectibles show of this magnitude since 2003 when Atlantic City hosted The National.

Baltimore’s retailers, downtown restaurants, hotels, rental car companies, etc., will financially benefit as 35,000-40,000 people are expected to attend the five-day event. Exhibitors and fans are expected to purchase collectively more than 4,500 rooms per night with approximately 25,000 restaurant customers added.

"We are very excited that the National Sports Collectors Convention will be held in Baltimore for the very first time," said NSCC executive director John Broggi. "Baltimore has an exceptionally strong sports tradition and the city is easily accessible from up and down the Northeast corridor."

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Without question, the NSCC is the largest sports and entertainment show in the country. This is an opportunity to showcase the city of Baltimore and reinforce the rich tradition of sports that exists throughout Maryland.

For more information on how to purchase NSCC admission tickets, visit www.NSCCshow.com.

Auctions Planned To Coincise With The National

Heritage Auction will be conducting a live auction at Sports Legends Museum Aug. 5.
Baltimore-related vintage memorabilia including an 1889 Baltimore Orioles (future New York Yankees) application to join National League document, a 1940s Babe Ruth- signed baseball, and a 1977 Brooks Robinson game-used home uniform and game-used bat will be available.

Seating is limited to 150. Interested bidders must RSVP with Heritage Auctions.

Schulte Auctions will be displaying many of the August online auction items at The National including an 11x14 Babe Ruth-signed photo "To My Darling Sister" Mamie, a Honus Wagner-signed note to Art Bissell, a Mike Curtis game-used helmet and a 1958 Baltimore Colts team-signed football.

Issue 151: July 2010