I was not able to make the National this year, but was told the 2027 National will be in KC.

When I heard this, I could not help but fondly remember the 2012 National. Charlie Maiseroulle had a sales table directly next to me. We just hit it off and bought and sold quite a bit from each other. If I showed an interest in a piece he would lower the price, If I hesitated, he would lower it again. He had a 110.5 with damage that he practically gave me at the end of the show (I really didn't want it, but I thought it was cool, and super cheap).

Bear Spitler had his display very close to my sales table and display, his girl friend liked the antique glass storage containers that I brought. She came to my sales table and bought a couple of times. The third time she came with Bear, I sold her all the rest of what I had. I got to talk Bear several times. Bear deserved the label, he was a big muscular man, a biker I think. But kind, funny and really into his display (I think that was his first time displaying as well).

I kept the Bill & Jill Auction catalogue; #145. It showcased Charles Brandon and his collection. Charles Brandon and Darryl Wagner (hoists) planned and ran an awesome show. I got started collecting in 2000 and it looks like Charles re-started in 2001. I got involved with Charles trading insulators on ICON I think just a year or two later. This was before he went "BIG" on eBay starting insulators at 99 cents and had the tap measure in the photo for the height.

Quite a few years before the KC show, I decided to go to the Iowa tailgater, and to stop at Charles house on the way. When I got there I was just amazed at the "back store room" with the shelves just lining the walls with INSULATORS! I remember picking out a small box full (like shopping at the grocery store) and was prepared to head to my hotel room. He insisted that I spend the night at his house. I was overwhelmed at his hospitality.

The 2012 show was the first time I displayed at a show. I had a very small display of "red" insulators. I spent a good portion of the show shopping for more red insulators. I have a lot of fun memories from that show. I pre-arranged with Brian Riecker the sale of a red amber 162 that was just beautiful, it added much to my "red" display.

The last memory of that trip was driving back into Fort Collins. The High Park Fire was burning to the west of the City for at least a week before I left, but no danger to Fort Collins. The night we returned (I drove to KC with Mike McCoy) the winds had picked up and drove the fire north of the city. It was iry getting close to home, it looked like the city was on fire.

It was a National that I will never forget for so many reasons. I am already looking forward to the next KC show in 2027.

I looked in my collection of commemoratives and realize that I don't have one from that show. Then I looked at the posting of the commemorates of that show. I have never been into pink commemoratives and Micky Mouse is too big for my shelves.

Does anyone have a milky swirled electric blue SI 257-2.50

I hope my memories don't dampen anyone's spirits, because most of the guys I was closest to at the show have passed; that was not my intention.