We were much pleased to be revisiting the Harvey Hadden Centre in Bilborough, but could not quite believe our last visit had been in 1998 as part of the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the Cartophilic Society.
This year we were celebrating the 100th edition of “Card Times” magazine, which was again sponsoring our golf tournament.
In the hall there were 60 dealers (including a few from overseas), 128 tables and a large area set aside for the swapping of cards. Good attendances, and sales, were reported on both days. The event ran from 10 am until 4 pm. Members of the Society were allowed to enter the halls for free, whilst non-members had to pay £2. For the first time in many years there were more committee members standing for election than there were seats to fill. We therefore decided by ballot, and our former web-master and librarian Mr. Townsend was the unlucky party. On a happier note we welcomed new committee member Mr. Whichelow. And created a new life member in Mr. Wickham.
Following the AGM was the Auction, with 150 lots of the rarest and most sought after items of the year which had been specially selected for the event from the items entered during the past twelve months. At this time Mr. Farquhar was our postal auction secretary, and Mr. Murray stepped up to the rostrum as the day`s auctioneer. You might be interested in a few prices – £1450 for a Casket Football Fixture Card and £3,800 for a box simply described as “assorted types and odds”. We noticed that there had been a few collectors having a very good look at this box during the time it was displayed for viewing. At the other end of the prices realised, a Taddy Clown, and one in good condition, was only sold for £220. And this sale became the highest total yet recorded.
