Welcome to Baltimore!
Welcome to the latest Baltimore Expo! Here’s wishing you a very successful show. History is on your side, as Baltimore in recent years has been a hot ticket on the show circuit. In fact, a survey showed that it was the favorite place for dealers. And, dealers certainly know where the action is.
While some purists suggest that dealers are not necessary, and that exhibits, the chance to mingle with other collectors, and the like will do, reality is different. I suggest that 90% of the attendees of any show come with the thought of buying something—a rare coin or bank note, a book, or another item of interest. Or to sell. A week or so ago in Coin World, editor Beth Deisher said that well over half of the annual revenue of the American Numismatic Association comes from dealers—from bourse and auction fees. By any measure, dealers such as yourself are essential to the numismatic hobby.
Returning to the present show and its location, if you take a compass and draw a 300-mile circle around Baltimore, chances are you will enclose half of the active numismatists in the United States. A 500-mile circle, would probably take in 70% or more. No wonder Baltimore is popular!
Another advantage Baltimore has is easy access. Amtrak furnishes comfortable connections to many different places, Interstate highways are generally fast and congestion-free, and the Baltimore-Washington International Airport is convenient, modern, and has a very good on-time flight schedule. (Don’t ask me about LaGuardia in New York!)
I hope that the current Whitman show will meet or exceed your expectations. All the best to you.
