David Perkins provided this week's content:
The Whitman Baltimore Show turned out to be a good one,
despite the weather keeping a number of collectors and dealers away.
Those who traveled to Baltimore on Monday or Tuesday had no
problems getting in. Snow and wind were predicted for Wednesday, and sure
enough, my morning flight from Denver to Baltimore was cancelled just before I
arrived at the airport. It turns out the Baltimore airport was
closed. I checked with United, and learned two runways were open at
Washington Dulles. I was able to get one of the last seats on this
flight, arriving at Dulles about the same time as I would have arrived in
Baltimore. I was told the flight might not be able to land, the pilot had
taken on extra fuel in case the flight was diverted, and that the drive from
Dulles to Baltimore (a little over 60 miles through D.C. traffic) would be
tough to impossible. I checked, and Uber had “four wheel drive cars”
available for only $300.00 one way…
I look out the window of the plane as we landed, and there
appeared to be only an inch or two of snow on the grass with much water and a
little slush on the runway. On the way to the baggage, I asked a “limo
driver holding a sign” how the highways were. He said that they were fine
for the most part.
I booked a regular Uber for $93.00, and was pleased when I
learned it was 4WD Jeep Grand Cherokee (without the $200 premium!), a great
vehicle in the snow. He said the drive might take two hours or more due
to the weather and traffic. I kept asking “where were all the
cars?” Turns out that they had closed the schools, government offices and
businesses – there were hardly any cars on the road the entire distance,
despite driving during what should have been early rush hour. We arrived
at the Convention Center (security) in a little over one hour. Where was
the snow? Why did they close the airport? Oh well, I’m here.
And I’m glad I made it. Thursday was dealer set up,
and Thursday afternoon I was rewarded for my travel efforts when a dealer
offered me a virtually perfect and undergraded 1795 Flowing Hair Dollar in PCGS
AU50 (CAC). Less than an hour later this “Wow Coin” had a new home
with a very happy collector.
Business was actually quite busy on Thursday and Friday
despite some “now shows” and was even good on Saturday. And didn’t stop
up until the time I had to leave for the airport - I accepted a Capped Bust
Dime Consignment and sold a beautiful 1825 Capped Bust Half Dollar in PCGS MS64
(CAC) while packing up to head to the airport. (the "headline coin" for today's newsletter)
And best of all, I saw and talked to a lot of collectors,
dealers, and met quite a few new collectors at the show.
W. David Perkins
Centennial, CO
wdperki(at)attglobal.net
