THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 28, 1994 TAG: 9407270122
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
You will not find a 1909 white-bordered card set featuring Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Honus Wagner at the first Suffolk Grand Sports Card, Comics and Collectibles Show.
Wayne Gretzky and David Copperfield got together recently to shell out $250,000 for that valuable piece of property.
But there will be a lot of other items on display by about 50 dealers this weekend at the old Safeway Building on Main Street.
The event, sponsored by the R&R Card Shop ``is the largest ever in Tidewater,'' said Amanda Raimondi, co-owner of the family business.
Sports cards will be the main attraction, but there also will be figurines, pictures, memorabilia and one Hank Foiles.
The former Pittsburgh Pirates catcher, who retired in 1964, is a member of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. He lives in Virginia Beach. Proceeds from his autograph session will be given to his church, St. Stephen's Episcopal.
``We'll have dealers from the Carolinas, Richmond - we have one coming down from New York,'' Raimondi said. ``Some of our customers will have their own tables.''
The Raimondi family members have been collectors for five years. They amassed enough cards to make it a business three years ago. Later they moved from their Holland Road location to Franklin, then back to Suffolk and their present location at 909 West Washington St.
Card sets will be given away as door prizes. Concessions will be provided by the Suffolk Fraternal Order of Police.
``Our plans are to have shows like this about four times a year,'' Raimondi said. MEMO: The Suffolk Grand Sports Card, Comics and Collectibles Show will be 10
a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the old Safeway building, 515
North Main St. Free admission. Call 934-2255.
ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Amanda Raimondi and John Bradshaw display some of the cards, valued
at $800 and up, that will be in the show at the old Safeway
building.
by CNB