I wish I hadn't seen it....

While describing some of his experiences at this years convention at the CCC monthly meeting this afternoon, Ken Hallenbeck spoke about the SlabFree table, chapter, the seminar and slabbing companies that were present at the convention, as well as a number of other convention related observations. During his comments on the presence of SlabFree, he announced that he obtained one of the SlabFree chapter chips, and he "had the sucker slabbed!", holding it up for all to see! His reasoning was, the folks involved in the anti-slabbing effort were radicals, using some pretty strong rhetoric to make that point. I damn near bit my tongue in half while trying to keep my mouth shut. ....and I didn't challenge him on what I view as a radical, "in-your-face" act from someone who claims to be of the opinion that slabbing is only a matter of choice in chip collecting. If I hadn't been so stunned, I would have interrupted him to ask what grade ICG placed on his slabbed chip....

What sucks most about this is, I have an immense amount of respect for Ken and his accomplishments in the world of collecting. I've also spent quite a bit of time over the years talking to him about chips and tokens, consider him a friend and mentor.

Just my opinion, but slabbing a SlabFree chip to make a point isn't something someone who is neutral on the subject would do. I wish he would have let ICG slab a SlabFree chip that they had obtained on their own.

....this was a very tough note to write. ...maybe when our anti-slabbing efforts succeed, Ken will see the light.

Bob