My Full National Review- Every Pickup, Every Gift, & All Of My Dad's Purchases!!

[@mookiechillson]

This is like watching a blockbuster season finale of my favorite show. What an epic recap - a masterclass in collecting cards, friends and good times!

[@MidLifeCards]

I appreciate you, Mook.

[@50-Fifty-Vintage]

It was great meeting you and getting to spend some quality time with you and your dad. Such a privilege to sell your dad his grail 53 Mantle. That’s a memory I’ll never forget. I never saw your Banks rookie at the show so I’m super impressed with that and your Walter Johnson… INSANE color on that card. Congrats again. Great times!

[@MidLifeCards]

I had a blast hanging with you, Pete. So fun with all the activities!! Awesome pickups that you had!! Very big cards!! Congrats.

[@s.macintosh-jc9rf]

Hi Graig, Thanks for your review of The National and your pickups and your Dad’s too. Y’all had a wonderful time at the show and your collections are so much the richer! Your father got the 1953 Topps Mantle! I almost cried! Best Wishes, Peter

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks for watching, Peter

[@DonOlszewski-th1ir]

Awesome pick ups Graig ! It was good to meet with you and also meet your Dad. I think it’s so cool that you two have a relationship like you do. And card collecting together to boot ! Life doesn’t get much better. I think the community as a whole is just the best. I really like to see what others get and how happy it makes them ! Good people all around ! And how bout Dave showing up and the stuff he has collected and shared with us to see. He’s really a great guy and was glad to meet him too !

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much. Glad you're doing better. Was great seeing you!!

[@vintagesanctuary]

Graig, even the most seasoned of professional plundering pirates stands in awe at your prowess; plucking that pleasantly-priced pristine Peckinpaugh right off the National floor! 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯Speaking of plunder, both you and your dad killed it at the National; bringing home a glorious bounty of gorgeous epic cards!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@MidLifeCards]

I agree that my Pops did a great job. He got some real beauties.

[@ACollectorsDream]

Incredible pickups, both you and your Dad. Awesome spending time with both. Congrats on the beautiful cards.

[@MidLifeCards]

It's always fun spending time with you, my friend.

[@jimfalkler9361]

Hi Graig, those are some awesome pickups. It's cool that you both collect and share time together. I enjoyed meeting you both.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much. Great saying hello to you!!

[@vintagesportscards8265]

Absolutely Patience is key! I’ve definitely got better at it in 40+ years. But also need to be ready when the moment is at hand! Congratulations on the pick ups and the good times in Cleveland

[@MidLifeCards]

Waiting pays off....eventually.

[@willg.2045]

Your National experience seems amazing, Graig. I'm glad it went so well for you!

[@MidLifeCards]

It was a really memorable trip.

[@wax_nostalgic]

The Walter Johnson is such an amazing looking card! The back! Wow!

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks. I'm really happy with it.

[@billyballgamesportscards]

I loved meeting your dad, Graig. You both made amazing pickups! His 53 Mantle, your Ernie, and Walter Johnson, you two killed it! Congrats Graig you guys really had a great show!

[@MidLifeCards]

Great hanging out in person.

[@jpacrylicstudio145]

Great breakdown of your whole National experience! Thank you for the video!

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much.

[@DaveBauer165]

Absolutely great pickups for both you and your dad! It doesn't get much better than the Cracker Jack cards. The Walter Johnson is an amazing pickup and definitely under graded. Your dad's purchases were very impressive. Please tell him hi. You both have great taste in cards!

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much Dave. I hope you made it home safely!! One of the highlights of my collecting career will always be holding and seeing your amazing collection.

[@Tim.K.1976]

What great pickups you and your dad scored and I agree you’re Banks does look better in a PSA slab. I can’t believe I’m saying that but when you’re right you’re right. Thanks for sharing your amazing cards.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much. I really appreciate it.

[@brentrichardsbaseballcards]

Amazing stuff. So happy for Coach as well 🎉

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks, my friend.

[@DonHamlin]

This is a great recap. The detailed thought processes are really interesting. Nice pickups, congrats.

[@MidLifeCards]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much.

[@robstarsports]

Great pickups and even better memories

[@MidLifeCards]

Lifelong memories for sure.

[@ClementeCollector]

Great recap Graig! You definitely got some beautiful cards and Mr.Miller hit a home run!

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks Theo. Great interview with Howard today.

[@ClementeCollector]

@@MidLifeCards Thanks brother!

[@larrygitlin6017]

You have really gotten into early pre-war and you have hit a gold mine in cards. They are so outrageously undergraded and beautiful and you got such great deals. I look at mine now and wonder how I put up with all the dings and creases but I do not remember seeing ones like yours. I went to many a national and swear there are so many more great cards now available than years ago. Great pickups and your Dad picked up a gem in the1953 Mantle. Congratulations and thanks for taking me along for the journey.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks for coming on the journey with us!!

[@TedWilliams1959Fleer]

Those are some really amazing pick ups. Congrats!

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much.

[@RipFan8]

Hi Graig. It was amazing to see you get your Banks Rookie and it is a beauty. All you pickups were great. It was also really nice to meet your father. Man did he pick up some beauties also, specially the 53 Mantle. It been great spending time with you at both Strongsville and the National, as you are a great guy and I'm so glad that we are friends. Talk soon my friend.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks, you too!

[@tonyleebrick9050]

Hey Graig. I am so glad you are enjoying that pirate card. It is a beauty. Forming new friendships was a highlight for me. Everyone of your cards were amazing. That M101-4 is hard to get in that grade. Of course the Banks is an epic card. Your dad’s Mantle is next level for that card. That red corner is in great shape. That card looks over graded. I can’t wait to get to next year’s National and Strongsville will be amazing.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much, my friend. Meeting you and hanging out and talking with you and Tim was one of the best highlights of my entire trip. I look forward to more to come.

[@wax2thefuture647]

Your dads haul screams SHARP!

[@MidLifeCards]

Sharp is his most important quality for his collection.

[@W238thStreet]

Amazing pickups Graig. Congrats on that Banks! That TANNY KOUFAX Retirado is a true masterpiece. You probably got that gem in a Cleveland IHOP.

[@MidLifeCards]

:-) Lots of great pickups including that Tanny. LOL.

[@BringingTheHeat-VBC]

comp, schmomp. It's always nice to set buying records for the sellers. Andy G is a great collector to buy from too. Fabulous haul for yourself and the Coach! The 53 mantle is stunning.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks my friend.

[@wax2thefuture647]

That vintage collection is 🔥🔥🔥 good choices! You’ve got to do a table top display so we can see the evolution of your collection!!!

[@MidLifeCards]

I'm gonna have to do a bigger show and tell at some point in the not too distant future.

[@kellymelonekellymelonekard3087]

Always love your videos Graig, the Walsh is a beauty!!

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much. I really appreciate it.

[@VintageCardVoyage]

Huge congrats on the Banks RC pickup, Graig, and it was great meeting you at the KZbin get-together! Hopefully I'll see you at one of the upcoming Bay Area shows.

[@MidLifeCards]

Great meeting you, too!! Such a fun time in Cleveland.

[@Redneckclector]

Great pickups! That 53 Mantle is sharp!

[@MidLifeCards]

I agree. He got a beauty!!

[@EverydayCardCollector-Jason]

You have hit me right between the eyes with that Ed Walsh Cracker Jack card my friend! You did show me a pic at the you tube gathering, but I still can’t get over how nice that card looks. Congrats on an amazing pick up. I was looking for his catcher Ray Schalk at the National, but did not have any luck. I found one but he was asking too much.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much. Great hanging out with you too.

[@stevegallo8483]

You and your father both did really well at the National. Seeing that your father picked up a 1958 Bobby Richardson reminded me that I recently picked up a 1959 Bobby Richardson. While I'm not a Yankees fan, Bobby Richardson is a South Carolinian from Sumter, SC. Other notable baseball players from SC include Hall of Famer Jim Rice, Shoeless Joe Jackson and Yankees OF Brett Gardner. Made a couple of eBay purchases over the weekend: a 1964 Carl Yastrzemski (fills a hole in the Yaz run) and the 1964 Sox Sockers.

[@MidLifeCards]

I love that 64 Yaz. It's a sweet card. Congrats.

[@jamesmcferran4938]

Love Bobby Richardson!

[@MidLifeCards]

He was a Yankee legend.

[@DansVintageBaseballPC]

Very impressed with your preparation for this event, and it certainly paid off during the Walter Johnson negotiations!

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much. Prepping is part of the fun for me.

[@ACD1994]

Both you and your dad had an incredible National. I assume he will be on the channel soon to talk about the experience as well. And maybe, have some questions that will be answered. 🙂

[@MidLifeCards]

I'll have him on soon and we will talk about the show and some of the questions that people submitted for him.

[@SammyThunder]

I hope to come out to California for the Burbank show in February. I think that’ll be special. Honestly man, always great seeing you. Glad you and Coach made it back safely. I would say decent pickups, but I’d be lying. More like iconic pickups.

[@MidLifeCards]

That would be awesome. Maybe we should try to rally some of the west coast troops to converge on that show. Adam of Vintage Sanctuary, Darren, 3D John, Petty, Adam of Splendid Sports, and maybe even Dylan.

[@jamesmcferran4938]

Like Father like Son! Simply incredible pickups!!!

[@MidLifeCards]

We did well. I'm pumped.

[@peterb4871]

Nice recap. You got some fantastic cards.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much. What a trip.

[@Bostnfn]

Graig it looks like you picked up some amazing stuff at the National and really did a lot for your collection! Congrats! Hope the start to the school year has been smooth! ~Allon

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks. I had a blast and am thrilled with the purchases.

[@RobSchroeder_]

Man, great cards! All of your and your dad's cards look undergraded. I would love to get 3's to 5's that look like those! So jealous of your dad's '53 Mantle. That was my #1 wantlist card this National, and couldn't find one that looked that good. Congrats to you both!

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much. He got a BEAUTY, didn't he?

[@schmoedanz7809]

Awesome cards G. Funny thing I was just looking at the same Walter but with a Polar back was so close but end up getting a Stan Musial bowman rc instead. I hope to get that Walter next time. Take care my friend, God bless

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much. It's a long journey and lots of time for more pickups.

[@azeridave]

Thanks Graig for the video and what happened at the show. I really appreciate it when a seller is willing to work with me on a purchase and HATE sellers' that dont negotiate or get upset on a lower offer. I just recently tried to get a Ohtani rookie auto from a seller on ebay and the seller got upset at me when I asked if he would take a lower offer. The response I got from the seller was, my card is pop 1...mine is the only one in the world! Im not going to negotiate and then when I looked at the ad on ebay, he upped the price of the card to $1000 more! What a jerk. I dont deal with people like that. It ruins the fun in collecting.

[@MidLifeCards]

Most of the dealers were willing to negotiate.

[@azeridave]

@@MidLifeCards Thats what makes it fun. Usually most people are willing to negotiate. Its that small percent of people (5%-10%) that just think thier price is gospel. I ALWAYS ask for the card/item a little lower...whatever I can get off, Ill take. Anyone getting upset about lower offers should probably not be in the business of selling cards. No price is set in stone.

[@user-zn8wr1rf5x]

Nice Banks card...as to the grade, I agree PSA can get it wrong. On this one, if anything, it is I think the apparent toning on the front that might have led the grader to downgrade it. Perhaps also because of an apparent crease in the lower right hand corner on the reverse.

[@MidLifeCards]

I appreciate you watching.

[@GoldenSlumber474]

Gregarious Graig showing his Grail cards & Grift, I mean, Gifts. You gotta love this video’s alliteration! Great grabbing Graig!

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much, my friend.

[@fanstream]

Gaig, your grail pickup Banks card is not VG --- it is EXCELLENT and should be at least an 8 - at least from my POV!. It's a handsome card, whatever grade it has -- cherish it, man!

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much. I'm thrilled with it.

[@collegehoopsguy]

If they could combine Cleveland and Chicago it'd be perfect

[@MidLifeCards]

Totally agree.

[@jdgjhn1]

Tim Payne is a great dealer. I’m on the east coast and I buy from him monthly.

[@MidLifeCards]

Great inventory and great prices.

[@cineM4RL]

Killer Mantle, coach!

[@MidLifeCards]

Agreed. He got a good one.

[@RL3sports]

You and your dad had a great week. The national is a sports fans' comicon. Without the costumes. Did any football cards tempt you?

[@MidLifeCards]

I was looking for football cards too. There was a psa 7 Sammy Baugh 1951 Bowman that I was tempted by.

[@jamesmcferran4938]

OMG! 53 Mantle!!

[@MidLifeCards]

He did it!! I'm super proud of him!!

[@CadenP-l5y]

We got to get a collection tour

[@MidLifeCards]

Sometime soon, I'll share a wider amount of my collection.

[@azeridave]

Graig, Just to have an idea of the costs, can you give an idea of how much it was for the whole trip as far as costs to get there, taxis, show costs and food. I understand that its different for everyone depending on where you stay and what you eat, but I would love to have an idea so maybe next year Ill go to the Chicago show. I live in California as well. Also, what was your budget on the cards? I dont know what to bring and will be going to the Burbank Card show in August in Anaheim. By the way, that is a great idea as far as preparing a price list for the cards you want and putting comps on all grades.

[@MidLifeCards]

Flight: $450 Hotel: $700 / 2 Food: $200 Rental Car: $350 / 2 Ticket to show: $199 Parking: $50

[@azeridave]

@@MidLifeCards Thanks Graig. The statement you made as to why you went...to talk to friends and just hang out and look at cards is something I really didnt consider. I was in the group of people that would say, "geez, its so expensive to go its not worth it". Thanks!

[@chriss5299]

In all of your viewing their..did you happen to see my grail card. 52 Mantle with beard and sunglasses?

[@MidLifeCards]

Yes!! I did see it.....but didn't get it on video.

[@chriss5299]

@@MidLifeCards wondering if ot was for sale or just showing it off?

[@bobwhite4671]

PSA way undergraded your Banks and your Cracker Jack, the grader either needs glasses or was drinking that day! Your dad’s cards were amazing!

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much. We're thrilled with our pickups.

[@jamesesslinger1976]

Hi, how much was the Cracker Jack cards? Thanks!

[@jamesesslinger1976]

$900 for one, nice! I picked up two at last years national.

[@MidLifeCards]

$900 for the Walsh. $225 for the Marsans.