Love Of Collecting, Family, Community On Display At Trading Card Shows In Union County

CRANFORD, NJ — Your loved ones are like a brand new pack of baseball cards, and one Cranford family that runs an event in town knows that while you can't choose what's inside, it's the joy that keeps you going.

Steve Conti is the founder of the "Cranford Card Show," a sports and entertainment collectible event celebrating its nearly one-year anniversary on Dec. 14. Through the ups and downs of life, the kid who started collecting when he was eight years old got to revisit his love for the hobby again in his adult years because of his two sons.

"Collecting provides tremendous life lessons," said Conti. "Cards go up and down...the far more valuable lesson in this digital age is having my sons negotiate selling their cards face to face...I've taught them no matter how big or small the deal they make, they end it with a handshake."

The chase for a pack-fresh Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire or Jose Canseco rookie card in the wooden-shade borders of 1987 Topps Baseball used to be this dad's motivation at the end of the tunnel for his collecting drive.

Now, it's just as much about the road through Cranford, packed in the car with his crew to get to another one of what's fast becoming one of the Township's favorite family and community-oriented pastimes.

"We love the town and the community and wanted to make a new, unique event that all could enjoy," said Conti, who also sponsored Cranford's Inaugural Saint Patrick's Day Parade earlier this year.

What started as an idea on a whim at a similar show in Clark led the Cranford youth baseball and football coach to rent out the Cranford VFW on Dec. 22, 2024. Conti, with friends and family behind him, took the leap without any vendors "or clue on how to run a show."

Fast forward to less than a year later, on Sept. 7, and the attendance for both vendors and attendees had doubled to 35 and 400, respectively. They are now in a bigger space at the Cranford Elks Lodge.

As far as the team that helps him, he's one of those supervisors who takes his work home with him. Everyone has a role.

Along with Elizabeth Pierson as Creative Director is Elam Pierson (Content Creator), Charlie and Teddy Conti (vendors), Grandpa Joe Santangelo (Director of Admission), and Nicole and Talia Conti as the aunt and niece team who control food and beverage.

The trading card market has leveled out from its highs during the coronavirus pandemic years, but there are still records being set regularly from major auction houses to eBay on an almost monthly basis. Conti says while he is not immune to the high-dollar hammers or the latest hot news topic causing some divide in the hobby, it was never about the money.

"I just want my family to be involved in an event we can all be proud of and help make memories."

He said he has had multiple offers already to move the show out of Cranford, but the odds of that are about as good as uncovering the next big Rookie Debut Patch chase card or other 1/1 (one-of-one) out of your favorite product.

"Cranford is home...a PSA 10 in my eyes, that's a gem mint!"

The Cranford Card Show will be at the Cranford Elks Lodge (951 Lincoln Ave.) on Dec. 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Admission is free for kids 12 and under and $3 for everyone else.

Contact Steve at cranfordcardshow@gmail.com for more information or vendor opportunities.

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