Redartz: Hello all; glad you could make it. Today we're doing something a little bit different. Many times, in the course of our dialogues, I've noted a fondness for visiting flea markets. That hasn't changed with the pandemic; since some have opened up (with social distancing and masks required), my wife and I have toured several. Now probably most of you have experienced a flea market or two. But for the benefit of those who may not have been 'flea-ing', and for those who have but miss the fun do to pandemic restrictions, we present a 'virtual flea market'. More accurately, you get a play-by-play with scenes from today's market visit. Everyone masked up? Okay, let's see what we can find.
As we enter the place, we take a brief look around to get the lay of the place. For indoor markets, we usually go down each aisle checking out both sides at once. This is a fairly good-sized building, and features a cafe in the back ( unfortunately we already ate).
Incidentally, as we go through we will skip over many booths; those offering 'new' items, discount tables, clothing and the like. Also it's advisable not to buy groceries at flea markets (at least, we never do). We are looking for collectibles, music, antiques, pop culture items; and , well, anything unusual. The first thing that grabs our notice is a booth with some superhero figures and other miscellaneous toys. The Iron Man is pretty cool, but I'm not really looking for figures today, so it's a pass.
We go on a little way and find a dealer with a bunch of books. Among them is a shelf of vintage Dr. Suess hardbacks; just like the ones I (and probably many of you ) learned to read with. In particular, that "Dr. Suess' ABC's" was one of my childhood favorites. A sentimental temptation, but not today. We move on...
A few booths later, we encounter a table with numerous Star Wars memorabilia. Figures older and newer, some books, posters, and miscellany. Probably would catch the eye of some among us!
A bit further, as we round the end of the aisle and start back in the other direction, we come to a booth with a wide variety of glassware. The Coke glasses get my notice, especially the nice holiday-themed ones on the right. On another shelf is a line of Mason jars; a very common antique in the US Midwest (countless families used them for home canning and preserves).
About halfway down the aisle is a big booth with loads of vinyl lp's! We always go throu
gh such stacks, as we have a couple family members who are big vinyl collectors. Also, I've been known to pick up the occasional album to convert on my computer, if the price is right. Most flea markets have LOADS of vinyl available, albeit much of it pretty worn. Today however, I find one to take home. Yes, the first purchase: a nice copy of John Barry's soundtrack to "From Russia With Love". And yes, the price is indeed right.
gh such stacks, as we have a couple family members who are big vinyl collectors. Also, I've been known to pick up the occasional album to convert on my computer, if the price is right. Most flea markets have LOADS of vinyl available, albeit much of it pretty worn. Today however, I find one to take home. Yes, the first purchase: a nice copy of John Barry's soundtrack to "From Russia With Love". And yes, the price is indeed right.We find another interesting LP, this one of the inauguration of President Richard Nixon. Not sure why someone would want 
a recording of an inauguration anyway, but it's a notable bit of history. A good example of "you never know what you might find'..
We move on. On the next aisle one single booth has a couple things that draw us in. One is an attractive old bicycle; a bit beat up but still pretty nice. Sharp color, too. And right behind it is a basket full to overflowing with dolls. One of which, from it's appearance , is none to happy about being there...
Turning another corner and starting down the right side, we see one of those "never seen one of these before" things. Our family closely followed all the Apollo space missions, and had plenty of moon memorabilia. Yet we never had a Command Module Cookie Jar! Any of you ever see one of these?
After a few more unremarkable dealers and craft tables, we arrive at a booth selling cds, dvds and vcr tapes. As with vinyl, I'm always on the lookout for cd's of interest. Both of these were considered: Julee Cruise singing for Angelo Badalamente (from Twin Peaks), and Meco (of 'disco Star Wars' fame) doing an instrumental collage album. The Julie Cruise disc becomes the second item in our purchase cart.
A brief observation at this point: it's a bit disappointing that we've so far seen no comic books whatsoever. However, we do find some toilet tissue...
Well, we're nearing the end of the flea market. One more aisle to go, and here's a promising booth with lots of paper memorabila. First we notice this; anyone else remember S&H Green Stamps? 
And did you folks in the UK ever have anything of the sort: trading stamps; given away at grocery stores 'back in the old days'. You'd save the stamps in a booklet until you accumulated enough to trade them in for a toaster or some such prize. My Mom had a drawer full of these things.
And as we turn around, we finally find a few stacks of comic books! My patient wife goes on ahead to look while I rifle through the boxes. Most of them very recent stock, and little of interest to this collector.
However, one book is worth a look (a look, not a purchase). "Zody the Mod Rob"? Man, you just had to love the 60's!
And with that booth, we come to the conclusion of our flea market. Up to the counter we go, coughing up the funds for the pair of musical items we chose. Then it's back out to the car, and finally off with the mask. Hope you found this 'visit' a bit amusing. Even on those occasions when we don't actually buy anything, we find these flea markets fun to walk through. Sort of like a mini-museum. Any thoughts on anything we've seen today? Any comments on markets you've been to, and oddities you've found? Share on...
