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The owner of Prestige Collectibles was at the National Sports Collectors Convention with an expansive booth full of Japanese sports cards. Klevens has been buying them for almost 35 years.
It’s a hobby he took up while living in Japan. He spent six years living there while running Tokyo’s largest card shop, The Ball Park. Now, he makes regular trips to the Far East from his Ft. Lauderdale, FL home to uncover cards and memorabilia.
It’s great to have the opportunity to talk with Robert.
It begs the question, are his customers here in the States or halfway around the world?
“I have some customers in Japan, but mainly Americans,” explained Kleven, while conducting business at his booth not far from the front entrance. “There is a lot of interest in Sadaharu Oh cards, the Japanese home run king, items from when Babe Ruth toured Japan and the current list of Japanese MLB players.”
Shohei Ohtani’s success in the States has been a boon for Klevens and his business, which features primarily cards from various sports that were released in Japan.
Klevens noted that Americans have long been fascinated with Japanese culture and Japanese sports fans love baseball and follow MLB players. It’s a crossover.
“A lot of Americans also visit Japan and attend games there,” said Klevens.
Rick and Robert talk about that and a lot more.
