Adventures in Comics: Flea Marketing Fun

Redartz:  Welcome to the second installment of "Adventures in Comics", where we pull up a seat and tell a few stories (hopefully interesting ones; if not, you get a nap- win/win situation!). Today, we will share some experiences dealing with those wacky arenas of 'anything goes, and probably does'- Flea Markets! 

Young Redartz selling some books at a flea market, c. 1981

I have a distinct fondness for these sales. You truly never know what you may find at one. Often you'll see an abundance of kitschy merchandise, knock-off clothing, expiring food, and just plain junk. Just as often, you'll see homemade art and craft, baked goods, antiques and collectibles, and all manner of things that make you exclaim " Hey, I  had one of those! Havent seen one in  years". Over the years I've done both sides of the table: selling and buying (much more of the latter). In particular, I've found them to be rich sources for comics. 

It literally becomes a treasure hunt, as you scrounge through boxes of old papers on the chance you may find buried four color gold. You rifle through the longboxes full of dollar books, notice the occasional loose comic on a table of unrelated 'stuff'. And sometimes there are actual comics dealers, with loads of back issues . Seldom do I visit a flea market and find absolutely nothing of interest. And now, a few examples:

1. Several years ago, I hit an outdoor flea market one morning (I try to get there as early as possible, but it's getting harder to get out of bed that early unless I have to).  Outdoor markets are the best; exercise, fresh air and comic hunting all in one trip! 
Wandering down the rows of booths, you could see the usual array of merchandise and miscellany. A few comics here and there, but nothing of note. Then I stopped at one booth which had several boxes on a table. Most had newspapers and old magazines, but one box had a dusty-looking pile of comic books. I took a casual look over several of the top books; not the best of condition but I noticed several Silver age books. Asked the dealer what he'd take for the box, liked his price of 60 dollars,  walked back to the car with an armful of comic box. The accompanying photo shows what that box contained. I was quite pleased; although the conditions ranged widely (including many with loose covers, tears, even coverless). I added a pile of fun books to my collection that morning! That was my first experience buying a box lot, and it got me hooked .

 


2. Early last year, my wife and I checked out the big Louisville flea market at the fairgrounds. Not many comics were there on that occasion, but one dealer had this gem on his table. I'd had one years before, bought at the local dime store as a youngster. My model, though , had disappeared over the years. Here was one still boxed, unassembled, with the comic instructions intact! The dealer, a kind gentleman, had a very reasonable price (he did raise it a few bucks upon learning the comic was still inside, but I was glad to pay the extra). The finished model now occupies an honored place on the shelf. It just goes to show; even if you're not finding what you're specifically hunting, you may well score an unanticipated goodie.








3. Just recently, while scouring a local New Year's Day flea market, I scored another box lot. This was a bit riskier; most of the comics were coverless. But the dealer wanted to get rid of the stack for ten dollars, so I figured "why not, it's only 10 bucks". Besides, one little trick I've started has been to scan some of those rough books, load them on my tablet, and I can still download a cover image to go with it. Then I've got more comics to read (digitally, at any rate). 
Anyway, upon going through the stack back home, I found a few with covers, including an old Justice League issue and several Archies. More interesting, there was a coverless copy of "Ghost Comics" 11 from 1954, with Eisner-esque art by Jerry Grandenetti. Interesting, I say, because I'm currently reading "Will Eisner-A Spirited Life", and that story was actually referenced in the book! 
Additionally, there were a couple of old promotional comics, which are another fondness of mine. So it turned out to be ten dollars well spent.

Of course, many are the flea markets I've visited where there has been little of interest. But that's part of the fun, you just never know. Someone out there right now is cleaning out their attic and will be putting the remains up for sale at the flea market soon. What will we find next time? I look forward to finding out. Now how about you; do you have any tales to tell from booth browsing? If not, give one a try. You might just be glad you did...