Sun-Times Show Opens Friday

 Content Originally Published by Sports Collectors Daily on Thursday March 10, 2011.

Past meets present this weekend when the 42nd Chicago Sun-Times Sports Collectibles Convention returns to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

Headline-fresh members of the Green Bay Packers will sign autographs--but so will players from deep in baseball's past.  Dealers selling the latest sports card boxes will set up alongside those who specialize in cards that date back decades.

It's one of the few shows left where a huge autograph guest list won't deter the action on the show floor.  Over 200 booths will be up and open for business when the show opens Friday.

Mounted Memories is now the primary show promoter.

The show is open from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10, with children 7 and under admitted for $5.  VIP passes can be purchased which allow early admission and some free autographs.

One of the headliners at the autograph pavilion is Chicago Bulls' superstar Derrick Rose, whose small allotment of autograph tickets sold out early.  Expect a long line of collectors and fans Friday when 50 more Rose tickets priced at $99-129 go on sale.

Scottie Pippen, who rarely does public autograph signings, is the most expensive autograph ticket on the docket at $149 to $199.  Inscriptions, only two of which are being offered, run an extra $99.

Sam Bradford, Dan Marino, Dick Butkus, Rickey Henderson, Pete Rose, Ernie Banks, Dennis Rodman, Tom Seaver and Dick Butkus are just some of the other retired stars signing.

Clay Matthews, B.J. Raji, A.J. Hawk and several other members of the Super Bowl XLV champion Packers will sign at a wide variety of prices.

Dave Kingman and former NFL star Joe Schmidt canceled this week and it was announced last week that Packers' star Greg Jennings also wouldn't be able to attend.

The Stephens Convention Center will also host this year's National Sports Collectors Convention.

Can't make the show?  Buy autographs via Mounted Memories.