30 Day Baseball Card Challenge

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

It's Not You... It's Me.

Have you ever seen a movie or television show where a husband or wife suddenly realizes the marriage is over?  Well I had that sort of epiphany during my last trip to the Capitol Flea Market.

After about fifteen minutes of walking around, I realized the desire was gone.  There was a time when I looked forward to waking up on Sundays, grabbing Starbucks, and heading down to Capitol in search for hidden treasures.

However standing in line for over twenty minutes, watching a gentleman harass another gentleman for buying multiple tickets, and seeing the same vendors with the same stuff quickly made me realize I'd much rather play 9 holes at the Santa Teresa Golf Club, grab breakfast with a friend, or sleep in an extra hour or two.

Will I miss out on some deals?  Totally.  But what can I say?  I've lost that lovin' feeling.

The good news is there are two other flea markets I'm still fond of, so you'll still see some of my Flea Market Finds from time to time.

But before I officially end things with the Capitol Flea Market, let's take a few minutes and reflect on some of my favorite memories (or should I say purchases) there...


August 2015:  Rookie Card of Hall of Famer 10¢

1966 Topps #254 Ferguson Jenkins

I've never actually documented my greatest dime box purchase, but this card has to be in the running. Vintage hall of fame rookie card for a dime?  Sounds like something from Julie's estate sale haul.


1/3/13:  Mystery Box $2


Buried within this Apple QuickTake 100 box were these three cards:


And this uncut SI for Kids sheet that contains the Tiger Woods rookie:


Tiger has lost his lustre over the past few years, but this sheet still commands over $100 on eBay.  When you factor in the Jerry rookie, Kobe patch, and a Lebron jersey... dollar for dollar... this is one of my greatest flea market finds.


8/4/13:  San Jose Mercury News Printing Plates $10


This takes printing plates and owning a piece of history to the next level.  These San Jose Mercury News printing plates are from the day after Barry hit #756.  Only downside?  It's been almost four years and I still haven't figured out a way to store or display these.


December 2016:  The Shoebox Collection $60


I mainly purchased this box for these two Orrs and a decent stack of vintage stars:

1971-72 Topps #100
1972-73 Topps #100

But when I got home and sifted through all of the cards, I found this on-card autograph of The Great One sitting among a stack of inserts:

1996-97 SPx Tribute #GS1

This card helped turn a questionable purchase into a no-brainer.


March/April 2016:  Danbury Mint SBC Park $3


At first glance, this might look like something you'd find a Dollar Tree in their porcelain decorations area.  But these Danbury Mint replica stadiums sell anywhere from $30 to $100 on eBay.  I'm not a San Francisco Giants fan, but I was able to make one of my friends a very happy camper and it cost me less than a drink at Starbucks.


3/31/14:  1965 Topps #8 1964 NL ERA Leaders $3


Every now and then, you'll stumble across a card you've been hunting down for years.  This is one of those cards.  The card is in poor condition, but it features two hall of famers and it's part of my favorite Topps set from the 60's.  I was very excited to cross this card off of my wantlist.


9/29/13:  Famous Basketball Card $15

1970-71 Topps #123 Pete Maravich RC

I don't like basketball... but I do like iconic basketball cards.  $15?  Yes, please.


7/26/15:  2003 Kids Club Stomper Bobble Belly $1  


I'll wrap things up with Stomper, the Oakland A's mascot.  I had no idea that this bobble was pretty valuable until after I bought it.  I have no plans to sell mine, but I've seen them sell for close to $50.

Well that's it for now.

Sorry Capitol Flea Market.  It's not you... it's me.  Maybe one day I'll give you another chance, but right now I need to feel free to check out other flea markets.

Happy Wednesday and sayonara!

12 comments:

Johnnys Trading Spot said...

Those were some amazing grabs, err I mean Flea Market Finds.

Mike Matson said...

Jeez.. A Fergie rookie for a dime??? If only.. lol

The Lost Collector said...

That Tiger SIFK is a treasure! Like you said, there's still a big market for it.

Nick said...

I know the feeling of seeing a once-great card source drift away. It's sad, but at some point you just have to accept that the glory days are over. Always loved reading your reviews of the Capitol flea market, and here's hoping there's still some gems to be had at the other flea markets in your neck of the woods!

Zippy Zappy said...

This is the type of haul that makes someone fall in love with a swap meet, not the other way around lol.

Still, I do kinda get it. I used to go to my local card show religiously for a year or so before realizing it had nothing to offer me outside of overpriced Bowman Chrome base autos :P.

Man said...

I am jealous-but like the lottery-ya can't win if you don't play

Doe M.G. said...

Great finds story. :)

SumoMenkoMan said...

Holy cow.....you've had some great finds!! Sorry to hear it is coming to an end, but you can focus on the other flea markets now and continue the tradition.

BobWalkthePlank said...

You only get so much time off from work. If something doesn't make you happy it is time to move on to the next thing. Back when my area had card shops and card shows they all ended up like your flea market. Same junk and same people selling said junk. Heres to finding an even better flea market in the near future!

Fuji said...

John Miller - Thanks. It was a lot of fun putting this list together. Brought back some good memories.

Mike Matson - I know, right?

The Lost Collector - I'm surprised. But the guy did change the way a lot of people looked at the sport.

Nick - Thanks Nick! I'm looking forward to walking around the Branham Flea Market tomorrow... although my list of hidden treasures from that flea market is much, much shorter ;)

Zippy Zappy - It was a good run while it lasted. I have a friend who likes to go there every now and then. I'm sure I'll be back at some point. It'll just be to hang out though with little to no expectations of finding hidden treasures.

B Man - It's your turn buddy. I'm passing the torch!

Doe M.G. - Thanks! It only took five or six years worth of walking around that flea market three to four times a month :)

SumoMenkoMan - Thanks. I'm actually kind of relieved to be able to sleep in on Sunday, then wake up and read some blogs.

Matthew Scott - Damn. You captured what I was trying to say in a few sentences. I actually heard about another one in the East Bay... but I'm not sure if I'm ready to drive an hour just to find more 1988 Donruss commons. ;)

GTT said...

Wow, those are some awesome deals!

Fuji said...

Thanks. Miss hitting up the flea market and finding deals.