PMS (POST MAX SHOW) REPORT 2019

The Past, the Present and the Future

This after battle report will follow a similar format as previous years but is packed with new facts which I trust you'll enjoy. MAX 35 is now in the books! Hard to believe this show has been going on for 35 years. That's right, and I haven't missed one yet and do not plan to miss any in the future. It all started back in St. Louis, then Baltimore which was cool. After that, we've trucked to Monroeville, Charlotte, Indianapolis and now for the 10th, and last year in a row, we were back in Monroeville, PA.
  
 
 

Before I forget to tell you, the 2020 MAX Show will be in an exciting new location in York, PA. It will be held from Thursday, September 17th until Saturday, September 19th. This gives you plenty of time to plan ahead. It will be a great time of year to travel as the weather is usually never an issue. In order to get into the show on Thursday, the 17th at 12:00 noon, as an early bird, you need to join the Ohio Valley Military Society. That is a very simple process and I definitely recommend it. 


Otherwise, the two days for the public will be Friday and Saturday and that gives you plenty of time to cover this 74,000 square foot hall. Yes, you heard that correctly! The show will be held in one huge hall, not like the old days with three separate rooms.
  

 
Here Are the Spicy Details About MAX 2019
  
  
  
The weather certainly cooperated as all the days were sunny and warm and the evenings were comfortable.

 
  
The entire OVMS Staff is very familiar with the ins and outs of the MAX Show because many of them are long term attendees. They are seasoned promoters and ran the show like a well-oiled clock.
   


The entire staff, from the management to the security guards, were friendly and cooperative and deserve a big pat on the back for a job well done! Once again, this year the OVMS used constables/sheriffs for security and they had their act together. I felt from start to finish that they were in our court and went out of their way to make this a good experience, not only for the dealers who filled the tables at the Convention Center to full capacity (just under 1,000 tables), but also for the OVMS members and public who did attend.
    
   
 
My crew had a 10-hour drive from Massachusetts due to traffic and construction. They made it back in a little over 9 hours so overall, our journeys were without event. My flights were packed but on time and without issue.

Most of my TEAM (l to r) Kevin, Dave, Bill, Patrick, Jeff
  
The OVMS sets the rules and they stick to their guns. They are consistent in applying and enforcing their rules and we fully support this. For example, they insist that all dealers remain open for business until 4 PM on the Saturday of the show. This allows attendees, who in many cases come from long distances, to be able to cover the entire show. This creates potential selling opportunities for dealers. It also portrays a more professional approach than attendees being run over by dealers trying to make an early exit from the show. It also looks bad to a person who has paid a full admission price to see a half empty hall. I am fully in favor of this rule as long as it's applied in a consistent fashion. We made a number of sales in the last two hours of the show.
  
  

  
I have never missed a MAX Show in the 35 years since it started and have every intention of continuing to support this show. It is still a vital part of the hobby. 
  






I totally encourage those of you who have stopped going to the MAX for one reason or another, or who have never attended a MAX show, to plan on attending next year. If you need additional encouragement or have a question, call us! The new location will stimulate you!

  
Speaking of Attendance, from our perspective, I thought the attendance was a bit less than 2018. I could be wrong as we sure stayed busy at our tables. It was the first show where I had all three volumes of my well received books
THE STORIES BEHIND THE TREASURES OF WORLD WAR II "The Making of a Collectorholic"  available and I sold lots of numbered, personalized and signed books. I was electrified by the kind comments from readers of Volume I, II and III.
  

Once again, I know the people who did attend were pleased by the variety, quality and quantity of the items being offered. I had a number of collectors show me items they bought at this MAX Show that really were bargains! Many times, they said they were able to pick up an item or two for their collection. I really feel that MAX 2019 was a great show for buyers as well as collectors.
  
  
Once again, I was pleased that I had the opportunity to spend a little extra time with some collectors, so it turned out to be beneficial from that standpoint. I met people for the first time and that will pay dividends down the road. I also saw people that had not been to a MAX Show in years return and that was good to see!
  
  
I talked to people from Japan, Greece, the Ukraine and Canada just to name a few. Many of the regulars from the EU were also there. There were some dealers and public that did not attend because it was the 75th anniversary of Market Garden and many people were there instead.
  

  
Sales were good and on a par with the last few years! Once again, thanks to the beauty of the internet, several of my customers asked me to bring items to the show. This certainly helped. Additionally, I have already made four "after show" sales with people who either saw pictures of my items or were at the show and have contacted me in the days after the show to purchase an item they saw on my tables.
 
Purchases were also numerous. Once again, even though I honestly did not have the time to wander the aisles at all, I did manage to get myself in trouble on more than one occasion. I was selective in what I bought but there is plenty that you will see with upcoming updates on the site, so stay tuned!
  
 
 
My Staff consisted of the always present Dave MacKinnon, as well as my son, Patrick, now a seasoned veteran of his eleventh MAX Show. Also, along to his ninth MAX show was my staff photographer, Jeff Demers If you are looking for a professional photographer to shoot one piece or your entire collection for a very reasonable rate, please contact Jeff. He brings new meaning to " Have camera, will travel !" Just take a look at the photos on my website to see his work. 


My dear friend, Kevin Bourgeois, and newcomer Josh Richardson rounded out the Ruptured Duck Show Team.
  
Additionally, we were helped by 12-year-old Peter Sundborg who comes each year with his Dad, Dr. Michael Sundborg. Peter enjoyed his time behind our tables and even made a good sale (to his Father)!
  

 
Special Event  In addition to the MAX seminar held on Friday night, a number of attendees were invited to a very special showing of a Vietnam War exhibit held at The Senator John Heinz History Center.
  
  
  
  
  

  
 Our personal thanks go out to Art Beltrone who was inspirational for a part of the exhibit called Vietnam Graffiti;
   

    
  
 and the OVMS who covered the cost of transportation to the event. It was a moving experience for my son Patrick and me.
   
 
  
 
I hope to see even more of you at the next MAX! Please make plans to attend!
    
Be sure to scope out the variety of pictures we snapped during our last weekend in Monroeville. Now it's off to York, PA!  
     
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You may email us at info@therupturedduck.com 
or call us at (978) 928-4495 as we look forward to 
seeing you at the MAX SHOW 2020!!

The Ruptured Duck Team

About the Ruptured Duck 

Committed to procuring the finest memorabilia from around the world, the Ruptured Duck is the #1 trusted online source of original WWII memorabilia. Authenticated and selected by respected WWII historian, Bill Shea, all items sold on the Ruptured Duck are backed with lifetime guarantees.