Botcon news has been the rave as of late, and we have a very interesting bit of news to share with you: Karl Hartman stopped by and shared some news that he and his brother Jon are set to sell “the second half” of their collection at Botcon 2015. Why is this significant? Karl and Jon Hartman are two of the original founders of the Botcon convention itself. Also, their collection is quite extensive, including some very coveted pieces. The first half of their collection sale came at Botcon 2006, where they even sold Peter Cullen a sealed G1 Optimus Prime figure as a gift for his granddaughter!
Karl Hartman had this to say regarding their upcoming sale:
[INDENT]“Hi folks.
With BotCon being relatively close to us, we’re taking advantage, and bringing the “second half” of our old collection to sell at BotCon. Roughly, this will cover the years of 1998-2006. It’ll be close to 1000 pieces, I believe. Priced to move.
I’ll be updating with more details soon, plus a general list of series that we’ll be bringing, including any rarities. As always, looking forward to seeing lots of old friends one more (last?) time.
See you all soon,
Karl (and Jon)”[/INDENT]
This reporting News Staff member still hears discussions of their legendary sale from 2006, and this second installment could be something equally as exciting! Many thanks to Karl for stopping by our forums to give us a head’s up here! We here at TFW2005.COM wish the Hartmans all of the very best with their collection sale, and we hope that all who attend Botcon 2015 have a great time!
Hiro Prime
That's Harlod to you, sir.
griffin-of-oz
Thanks Karl & Jon for the eye-candy that kept me coming back all weekend to look over the many varied and amazing Transformers toys you had at your tables.
I wasn't able to get much from you as I had hoped, but I did manage to get the last of the Built to Rule sets I was missing, and a replacement Spychanger that I had broken a few years ago.
Bed Bugs
I was there, but was busy working in a dealer booth. Got asked at the last second to help out. Not a fan of the location, but I still had an enjoyable time. I'll be at Botcon next year again, provided they stay out of California again. Didn't get a chance to raid your booth, but I too had similar moments.
It's the best when I got some loose common stuff in a tote and a kid starts digging through it, then they find a couple they like, then I turn to them and say, "You can have have all 3 for $5" or "Tell ya what, you buy this one and I'll give ya these 2 for free". Watching their eyes light up when they realize they they can actually take something home with them despite being surrounded by some high priced collectibles is one of the best feelings ever. I only had that happen a few times though this year, which was disappointing.
Shin-Gouki
Glad things worked out well for you guys!
Karl Hartman
Good evening all.
I'm still trying to recover from the weekend. I seemed to pick up a cold on Monday.
Anyway, I also wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to those that stopped by and said Hi at our booth over the course of the weekend. For me, one of the best parts of the weekend, as usual, was briefly chatting with fans in the registration line, and particularly those for whom this was their first BotCon. To a person, they were so excited to be there, and were looking forward to the entire weekend. They didn't care about any perceived registration issues, or any other "drama" (real or fabricated). They were just there to have a good time.
I met a father and son pair in the registration line, and it was their first BotCon. I gave them my customary "Welcome! I hope you enjoy yourselves!" that I give all first timers in the registration line. Later on, they stopped by the booth, and the son was starting to get into Beast Wars, and he asked me what would be the best for him to get started with Collecting. I said even though the first year toys are really iconic, I suggested transmetals, since they were closest to their show models. He thanked me and went on his way. They later came back and bought a couple things from us, but it was just so near to be able to help first-timers get started with their collection. That's the kind of "paying it forward" that I really love to do. Well, that, and the "red pen of justice" that came out on Sunday morning.
I was really looking forward to meeting CBFF (Brian, is it?), exvee, and seeing Fred Heller again, but alas, I didn't get the chance. Perhaps next year. I love to talk to people in person. I really do.
Perhaps the most important things that happened over the weekend were the pictures that I took with Mr. Frank Welker. One was with my brother, and one was with all 7 of the "perfect Attendance" group: Tony Preto, Pete Sinclair, Harold Tietjens, Chris Ratliff, Chris Mehl, and Eric Knopp. That's always a very important picture that all 7 of us take every year, but this year, it was extra special, because it was with BotCon's "holy grail" guest. I'm so proud that BotCon will always be the first Transformers convention to have had Mr. Welker as a guest.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by the booth to buy things. Some for your own collections, some to resell, some to open and display. I'm happy that the collection has been spread to the four winds and across numerous continents, giving others the joy that it gave us for so many years.
I had a great time, and look forward to seeing everyone next year!
shibamura_prime
…well, you're not wrong… XD
Jon Hartman
Aha! I wondered why he bought both of them. I'm glad you all found something you were happy with.
mykticon
Thank you! I was able to grab a few items and a Commemorative Sideswipe to get autographed later on Saturday. I also picked up a Beast Wars card game that my kids can't stop playing. My son and I took one last swing by the booth late Sunday and grabbed he and his sister Cybertron Mudflap. They haven't stopped playing with any of it since!
Grimlockimus
Kinda curious to hear what happened with those roommates now.
As for myself I got quite a few things from the Hartman brothers.
-MIB Beast Wars Tigerhawk
-MIB Beast Wars Depthcharge
-MOSC Beast Wars Quickstrike
-MOSC Beast Wars TM Rattrap
-MOSC Beast Wars Silverbolt
-Loose Beast Wars TM2 Blackarachnia w/ box and instructions.
But I'm happy to say I bought my Transformers holy grail from them, a set of Botcon 2006 boxset figures. No box included but for the price and the condition they were in I'm very happy with my purchase and it's even more special knowing they came from the Hartman's collection.
Cannot thank you two enough for being there and helping make a lot of collections that much bigger while making your's smaller.
Motor_Master
…why do I see you swinging that around screaming STAR…STAR…STARSABER…. HOOOOOO!!!
shibamura_prime
Everything they had was awesome but none of your Hartman buys were as spectacular as mine.
Jon and Karl, I thank you.
My hotel roommates… not so much.
TransfanG1
Simply insane that you blew through all that stuff….the prices were great but still quite a feat to move that much product in such a short time frame. After seeing what you did this year I totally regret not being there when you did this at the previous Botcon with the early years toys.
DarkWarGrimlock
I think I bought some Mini-Cons from you guys! Thanks!
Onslaught24
Was lookin for ya'll's table but I didn't realize that one was yours until it was too late! Was quite the collection and I'm seriously regretting not stopping by and grabbing at least one thing. Congrats though! Glad I at least got to see what was a legendary collection
Jon Hartman
I just wanted to thank everyone who came to our booth this weekend. It was great to reconnect with people I hadn't seen in several years, and to meet new people for the first time. You all helped make our excursion a success, and I took some delight in seeing peoples' reactions at being able to complete gaps in their collections. To the dealers we might have upset with our crazy-low blowout prices, all I can say is at least you'll never have to see us do something like this again.
The first two pictures here show the booth as it was early Friday afternoon, and the third shows what was left at the end of Sunday. As we dumped our cardboard boxes in the recycle bin today, Grand Moff Tarkin came to my mind when he said "The last remnants of the Old Republic have been swept away." A bit melodramatic to be sure, but that's when it finally hit home for me that the stuff we brought was all gone.
Th0r4z1n3
Just wanted to say thanks for the great deal on those G1 reissues.
undertaker
If I recall correctly from the picture Karl took, 4 of the TFCC combiners and maybe one or two other items were all that remained. (I wouldn't be surprised if someone took those off their hands before they left.)
Grimlockimus
I remember coming back after my initial purchases from them on Sunday and just seeing people piling toys up to buy. It was crazy to see the contrast from one day prior where you saw maybe a full bag or two from people in the room to Sunday where massive hauls from the Hartman table were being lugged around.
Sad to know we won't get a Hartmans Part 3 but I am so glad I was there for this one.
Motor_Master
That happened to me back in 2006, $10 for Micromaster 4 packs, $5 Combaticon limbs (all complete mind you)… thankfully I didn't have that much in my paypal account at the time, so I couldn't go too crazy.
awesome!
Ikkstakk
Don't want to brag, but I picked up one of my grails (Universe 1.0 Razorclaw, don't judge me) for $40 and a bit later, just because he was there looking lonely, FunPub Astrotrain. For $50.
Thank you, Jon and Karl, I was very happy to be there at a historical occasion that will probably never come again.