General chit chat and shit talk.

where i live is in the "belt" of top viewing range area. so much drama with this. some businesses and schools closed etc.

Thinking of Visiting Vermont for the Eclipse? Read this!​

Hi! Eclipses are super cool, so makes tons of sense that a ton of y'all will want to visit for it. I'm also super stoked to see the eclipse! However, all memes aside, there are a bunch of logistical concerns people should be aware of. It is possible that during the eclipse northern VT will have it's highest ever number of visitors in history, which creates considerable complications for a rural state like ours. Here are a few key ones:
All lodging in the zone of totality sold out months ago. If you try searching online now, you might be lucky and find a cancellation being sold at stupid high prices (eg I noticed a couple 2-star motel rooms going for $800 a night), but don't make any plans assuming you can find lodging if you don't already have it.
Be prepared to sit in a traffic jam for 6 hours or longer if you plan to return home on Monday after the eclipse. Where I am pulling 6 hours from? While this event is unprecedented, the closest analogue I could find is Wyoming during the 2017 eclipse, as it is another rural state with low road capacity that is within a day's drive of a major metro area: study. Takeaway from that study is that the 2017 eclipse turned a 4 hr drive on I25 back to Denver into a 10 hr one, and that this level of congestion didn't dissipate until 12 hours post event. Now on the one hand, Northern New England and Upstate New York have more major roads than Wyoming, but on the other hand way more people live in the Boston-NYC-Philly-DC megaregion than Denver. There will likely also be bad traffic at other points throughout the weekend (esp Monday morning), but Monday afternoon/evening will almost certainly be the worst.
Do NOT take dirt roads to bypass traffic no matter what your GPS says. It's mud season in VT, and especially with the new snow this week and warmer temps over the weekend, many dirt roads will be impassible even with 4WD. How bad can it get? This bad. Additionally, all the extra traffic this weekend will deepen ruts and increase the likelihood that even if you can get through a rough patch, you'll be blocked by someone who couldn't.
Do NOT hike into remote or high elevation terrain. Even if you're an experienced hiker, eclipse weekend isn't the time for it. Context
Do NOT rely on having cell service. On a normal day many areas of the state, including many spots along major highways, lack cell service. Additionally, having a ton of extra people on a cell network has the potential to massively slow the network, leading to stuff like dropped calls and making large data requests (such as navigation apps) slow to the point of being useless (thanks u/hotseltzer). Get a paper map, or predownload your digital map before you arrive (in google maps for example this can be done manually with the 'offline maps' function).
Unsure where to watch from? Various towns have designated eclipse viewing areas with parking and toilets (eg; here is info for Burlington, St Johnsbury, Newport (thanks u/anniedee82)). The website or facebook page of the town you want to visit is generally a good place to find info. Keep in mind though that many parking areas may fill, so have multiple backup spots in mind.
Pack extra food, water, and warm blankets in your car, and fill up on gas before you arrive. Best case scenario, local businesses will be slammed, so not waiting an hour for a sandwich will be nice. Worst case scenario, traffic could be even worse than expected, or if your car breaks down it might be a day or two until you can get a tow. Be prepared to spend the night in your car, and note that the forecast is for below freezing temps at night in many areas.
My recommendation if you don't already have lodging and want to view the eclipse from VT: Find a hotel an hour or two outside the totality zone (these rooms still exist at halfway decent rates), and reserve it for Sunday and Monday nights. Figure out where you want to view the eclipse ahead of time, pack a full day's worth of meals, and drive to your hotel on Sunday. Wake up before dawn on Monday, drive straight to your viewing spot, and stay there all day. Wait to leave until as late as possible on Monday night (midnight or later is probably best; a nap in your car before you leave would be a good idea), drive to the hotel, sleep, then drive the rest of the way back on Tuesday.
I hope to be proven wrong and have everything go relatively smoothly. I'm not trying to fear monger; I just want people to be prepared and to manage their expectations. And let's be clear; traffic and crowding WILL be bad, the only question is just exactly how bad.
 
Just saw this being auctioned off on ebay...


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I think most of you know that I buy and sell collectibles and antiques for a living. I stick to small stuff now, I don't do furniture or anything big, awkward or heavy. Pinbacks are a passion of mine especially sports. So, I was looking on ebay for things to buy and I found a lot of 52 pins in an auction that was ending in about 13 hours. As I looked closer at it I saw 2 sports pinbacks that I hadn't seen before. The lot was only at $8.00 when I saw it so I put it in my watch list.
As the day went on, I was searching the internet for the 2 pins that I didn't recognize. One was an OJ Simpson advertising pin for "Spot-rite" cleats from when he was their spokesman. The second pin was a Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris pin that said "61 for 61" which was referring to their homerun totals for 1961. I couldn't find either so I asked about them in a couple of Sports memorabilia sites I frequent. One of the sites has over 22,000 members. These are all big time collectors. After leaving my post up for a day, no one had an answer about the value of either pin.
I submitted a photo of the pins to a major sports auction house that has been in business for over 30 years. They had no idea these pins even existed. I ended up winning the lot for $20.50.
I talked to owner of the auction house on the phone about them and he said the Mantle/Maris pin should do very well. He figured it for a minimum of $1.400 dollars and possibly much more. He's excited about getting the pin and will make it one of the featured items in their next auction. They're also bringing it to the Nationals, which is a 5 day event for sports memorabilia dealers and collectors. They have roughly 20,000 people visit it every day. It just so happens that the auction will take place during the Nationals so my pin is going to be fresh in people's minds.
The OJ Simpson pin I'm going to sell outright. I already have an offer of $250 for it, but I think I can get more. So my total profit should be at least $1,700 for the lot I won for $20.50.
 

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I think most of you know that I buy and sell collectibles and antiques for a living. I stick to small stuff now, I don't do furniture or anything big, awkward or heavy. Pinbacks are a passion of mine especially sports. So, I was looking on ebay for things to buy and I found a lot of 52 pins in an auction that was ending in about 13 hours. As I looked closer at it I saw 2 sports pinbacks that I hadn't seen before. The lot was only at $8.00 when I saw it so I put it in my watch list.
As the day went on, I was searching the internet for the 2 pins that I didn't recognize. One was an OJ Simpson advertising pin for "Spot-rite" cleats from when he was their spokesman. The second pin was a Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris pin that said "61 for 61" which was referring to their homerun totals for 1961. I couldn't find either so I asked about them in a couple of Sports memorabilia sites I frequent. One of the sites has over 22,000 members. These are all big time collectors. After leaving my post up for a day, no one had an answer about the value of either pin.
I submitted a photo of the pins to a major sports auction house that has been in business for over 30 years. They had no idea these pins even existed. I ended up winning the lot for $20.50.
I talked to owner of the auction house on the phone about them and he said the Mantle/Maris pin should do very well. He figured it for a minimum of $1.400 dollars and possibly much more. He's excited about getting the pin and will make it one of the featured items in their next auction. They're also bringing it to the Nationals, which is a 5 day event for sports memorabilia dealers and collectors. They have roughly 20,000 people visit it every day. It just so happens that the auction will take place during the Nationals so my pin is going to be fresh in people's minds.
The OJ Simpson pin I'm going to sell outright. I already have an offer of $250 for it, but I think I can get more. So my total profit should be at least $1,700 for the lot I won for $20.50.
very cool,congrats!
 
very cool,congrats!
Thanks. This is kind of like my Indiana Jones moment like when he found the Ark of the Covenant. I found one other person out of all the sports memorabilia websites I frequent that had heard of it and actually had one. He said he had his pin since the late 60's.
Mickey Mantle is one of the most collected players of all time and they're going to love this pin. The only question is how much?
 
I think most of you know that I buy and sell collectibles and antiques for a living. I stick to small stuff now, I don't do furniture or anything big, awkward or heavy. Pinbacks are a passion of mine especially sports. So, I was looking on ebay for things to buy and I found a lot of 52 pins in an auction that was ending in about 13 hours. As I looked closer at it I saw 2 sports pinbacks that I hadn't seen before. The lot was only at $8.00 when I saw it so I put it in my watch list.
As the day went on, I was searching the internet for the 2 pins that I didn't recognize. One was an OJ Simpson advertising pin for "Spot-rite" cleats from when he was their spokesman. The second pin was a Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris pin that said "61 for 61" which was referring to their homerun totals for 1961. I couldn't find either so I asked about them in a couple of Sports memorabilia sites I frequent. One of the sites has over 22,000 members. These are all big time collectors. After leaving my post up for a day, no one had an answer about the value of either pin.
I submitted a photo of the pins to a major sports auction house that has been in business for over 30 years. They had no idea these pins even existed. I ended up winning the lot for $20.50.
I talked to owner of the auction house on the phone about them and he said the Mantle/Maris pin should do very well. He figured it for a minimum of $1.400 dollars and possibly much more. He's excited about getting the pin and will make it one of the featured items in their next auction. They're also bringing it to the Nationals, which is a 5 day event for sports memorabilia dealers and collectors. They have roughly 20,000 people visit it every day. It just so happens that the auction will take place during the Nationals so my pin is going to be fresh in people's minds.
The OJ Simpson pin I'm going to sell outright. I already have an offer of $250 for it, but I think I can get more. So my total profit should be at least $1,700 for the lot I won for $20.50.

damn thats a good haul!
 
I think most of you know that I buy and sell collectibles and antiques for a living. I stick to small stuff now, I don't do furniture or anything big, awkward or heavy. Pinbacks are a passion of mine especially sports. So, I was looking on ebay for things to buy and I found a lot of 52 pins in an auction that was ending in about 13 hours. As I looked closer at it I saw 2 sports pinbacks that I hadn't seen before. The lot was only at $8.00 when I saw it so I put it in my watch list.
As the day went on, I was searching the internet for the 2 pins that I didn't recognize. One was an OJ Simpson advertising pin for "Spot-rite" cleats from when he was their spokesman. The second pin was a Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris pin that said "61 for 61" which was referring to their homerun totals for 1961. I couldn't find either so I asked about them in a couple of Sports memorabilia sites I frequent. One of the sites has over 22,000 members. These are all big time collectors. After leaving my post up for a day, no one had an answer about the value of either pin.
I submitted a photo of the pins to a major sports auction house that has been in business for over 30 years. They had no idea these pins even existed. I ended up winning the lot for $20.50.
I talked to owner of the auction house on the phone about them and he said the Mantle/Maris pin should do very well. He figured it for a minimum of $1.400 dollars and possibly much more. He's excited about getting the pin and will make it one of the featured items in their next auction. They're also bringing it to the Nationals, which is a 5 day event for sports memorabilia dealers and collectors. They have roughly 20,000 people visit it every day. It just so happens that the auction will take place during the Nationals so my pin is going to be fresh in people's minds.
The OJ Simpson pin I'm going to sell outright. I already have an offer of $250 for it, but I think I can get more. So my total profit should be at least $1,700 for the lot I won for $20.50.
That's cool as hell man. I still have a couple hundred comics from when I was a kid. Most were released and bought new from the late 80's into early 90's but I collected some older stuff as well. From what i understand, many of the comics from the 80's don't hold as much value as earlier era's because they printed so many of them. But I have some stuff, special covers, editions and #1's for newer reboots on Wolverine and Spiderman and stuff like that, probably worth a few bucks.
 
Just found this. It's from a smaller sports auction from 2012. The auction I'm consigning mine has more collectors buying from it than this auction.

Lot Number: 246​

Description: Rare "61 For 61" - 1961 Mantle and Maris souvenir pin. Scarce period pin issued as Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris were chasing Babe Ruth's single season homerun record. The piece measures 1.25" across and remains in outstanding condition with just the slightest hint of wear. The first example we have seen: EX/MT-NM

Estimated Price Range: ($500-$750)




Sold for Price: $1,400.00
 
That's cool as hell man. I still have a couple hundred comics from when I was a kid. Most were released and bought new from the late 80's into early 90's but I collected some older stuff as well. From what i understand, many of the comics from the 80's don't hold as much value as earlier era's because they printed so many of them. But I have some stuff, special covers, editions and #1's for newer reboots on Wolverine and Spiderman and stuff like that, probably worth a few bucks.
My buddy's a comic book geek. He goes out to the Comic Con in San Diego and has been trying to help me figure out comics. I know they can be very profitable but I prefer stuff that is a little more durable.
If you have first appearances of characters, that's a great thing. I think there's quite a few 80's and 90's comics that do well. You should check out prices on them, you may have some money there.
 
My buddy's a comic book geek. He goes out to the Comic Con in San Diego and has been trying to help me figure out comics. I know they can be very profitable but I prefer stuff that is a little more durable.
If you have first appearances of characters, that's a great thing. I think there's quite a few 80's and 90's comics that do well. You should check out prices on them, you may have some money there.
I have checked in the past but it's probably been 10-12 years. There's a few at least that are worth a few hundred or so.
 
That's cool as hell man. I still have a couple hundred comics from when I was a kid. Most were released and bought new from the late 80's into early 90's but I collected some older stuff as well. From what i understand, many of the comics from the 80's don't hold as much value as earlier era's because they printed so many of them. But I have some stuff, special covers, editions and #1's for newer reboots on Wolverine and Spiderman and stuff like that, probably worth a few bucks.
Here's a site you can look up the values on. I've sold them a couple pins I had. They're a big company for comic books.
 
Here's a site you can look up the values on. I've sold them a couple pins I had. They're a big company for comic books.
Thanks man! Dude i just looked at the "hotlist" at the top of this page https://gocollect.com/comics and I am pretty sure I have several of the ones shown.
 
Thanks man! Dude i just looked at the "hotlist" at the top of this page https://gocollect.com/comics and I am pretty sure I have several of the ones shown.
That's awesome dude!! I know condition plays a huge part of the price as well as desirability. If your comics are in good condition you may want to consider having them graded by CGC.
 
That's awesome dude!! I know condition plays a huge part of the price as well as desirability. If your comics are in good condition you may want to consider having them graded by CGC.
Most are in mylar with the acid-free backings. Just went through most of them and checked some values... should be easily 2-3K worth, some real nice ones.
 
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