I attended this meet last year with good results, so I was more than enthusiastic to return for another great year.  I asked my Thai friend Boone if he would be interested in joining me (like last year) but unfortunately he had to work in the Computer Lab that day.  But he offered me his place to stop for the night, which was nice.  This meant, I could get up at a comfortable hour Saturday morning and arrive at the meet refreshed.  I decided to bring my car (instead of my motorcycle) so that I could bring a lot more to the meet.  Plus I got to show off my vanity plate "TIGERS".

Since the meet was basically a repeat of last year's, I don't have as much to say this time around.  Nor did I get as ambitious with the camera.  I also had to leave earlier than usual, due at a party near Philly that afternoon, with my motorcycle friends.  So, here is what I managed to take in at the meet:

The trading floor

tNo doubt about it, lots of trading went on.  One special bonus was Bruce Bufalini and John Northup's arrival with part of the famous Hurd collection (or should I say accumulation?) in tow.  They came with the intention to sell rather than taking most of it back home, so prices were good.  I managed to score some bargains, including a run of Illinois Antique Auto plates, and yes Andy Bernstein was nice to point out an Illinois vanity "TIGGR 2".  Wow, I sure wanted that!

About 40 collectors showed up.  A little down from last year, but not much.  Most of the regulars were back, I saw.
 

Here I am with my table icon.

Andy Pang contemplates a '30s Maryland for his run.  From the  Randy Pierce Table.

Andrew Apgar of DC (soon to be VA) brings his extensive trade stock as usual

Andy Bernstein does some brisk trading at his table.

John Northup - All the way from Michigan.

The highlights of my finds

Unfortunately no Japanese plates this time around, but still not too shabby:
 

I like these plates .... where the year matching the serial.

If you look carefully, notice  "Wild, Wonderful" is a sticker.  To be poltically correct - they covered "Disabled Person", ha, ha!

Part of the run I picked up - this one is my favorite with that 'cool' baby blue color!

The "Tigger too" still in its shrinkwrap.

I've always wanted one of these - the porcelain Antique Vehicle plate that is designed after the undated first issue (except this one was just a tad cheaper).  For the record, a genuine first issue VA sold the week before,  for close to $8000 on eBay.  The bidding results were  printed out at the meet.

Got this from Jock - but I'm guessing the Musher has a box of these.

My only buy of note from the donation auction: An Illinois Hire (or Rental) motorcycle plate.   How many states issue one of these?

---

Copyright 2002, Tigerdude.com
All photos property of the webmaster