30 Day Baseball Card Challenge

Monday, March 9, 2015

Flea Market Finds #79: The King, Rapid Robert, and a Dime Box

Someone needs to contact Mother Nature and let her know that there's still over a week until winter ends and spring officially arrives.  I'm not sure if she knows this... but we're suffering from a drought and could use a few more days of rainfall.

Oh well... I guess it's best to make the best out of a bad situation.  So this weekend I took advantage of the beautiful weather and walked around two local flea markets.

When: Saturday and Sunday, March 7th/8th
Where: De Anza and Capitol Flea Market
What: Baseball, Elvis, and Star Wars Memorabilia
How Much?: $33

Purchase #1: Two Bob Feller Signed Baseballs $10

When it comes to signing memorabilia, there are few athletes who can say they signed more than the great Bob Feller.  I own at least seven of autographs and normally I wouldn't go out of my way to look for more.  However on Saturday I stumbled across a vendor with these:


Yeah... official Rawlings American League baseballs signed by the Heater from Van Meter for insane price of $5 each.  I ended up grabbing two, since they were so cheap:



Purchase #2: 1977 Star Wars Jigsaw Puzzle $3


When I was a kid, me and about fifteen other kids in my kindergarten class had Star Wars lunch boxes.  On one side there was a picture of Luke, Ben and the Droids in Mos Eisley Spaceport.  And on the other was this amazing photograph of a TIE fighter shooting at an X-wing.  Since 1977 it's been one of my favorite Star Wars images and when I saw this puzzle sitting on this guy's table, I knew I had to own it.



Purchase #3: Dime Box Cards $4


I honestly didn't think I was going to find anyone with sports cards at the flea market, since there were two collectible shows within a twenty mile radius.  But thanks to non-collectors who are cleaning out there garages, I discovered two different vendors selling cards for 10¢ each.  I ended up buying 30 cards from one guy and 10 from another.  There aren't any Ben Sheets autographs, but I did manage to find some cards for my binders:


The majority of these dime cards are from the 1995 JSW All-Stars set, which were probably unlicensed and considered to be Broders.  That doesn't bother me though, because they're really nice looking cards.  I just wished the artist added statistics on the backs.

Well... that sums up my De Anza Flea Market purchases.  Here's a look at yesterday's Capitol Flea Market purchases...


Purchase #4: 1977 McCormick Decanter $6


I understand that he's The King of Rock and Roll, but honestly I've never been a fan of his music.  However that doesn't mean I can't appreciate a cool item like this.  What you're looking at is a very cool decanter that doubles as a music box.  Here's a video I found on YouTube:



Anyways... I picked this up because it's nearly forty years old and the price was right.  I considered putting it up on eBay, but it's still sealed and has vodka in it.  So for now, it'll be a conversation piece in my liquor cabinet.



Purchase #5: 1993 Star Wars Galaxy Wax Box $10


By now you know that I'm a sucker for cheap wax boxes.  As soon as I saw the box, I knew my magic number was $10 and that was his exact asking price.  If you're not familiar with this set, it features some amazing art and was one of the first Star Wars sets released since Topps produced Return of the Jedi cards in 1983.

Unfortunately back in 1993... Topps wasn't inserting sketch cards, memorabilia cards, or autographs into their packs.  But it should be a fun break and hopefully I'll be able to at least build one set.

I'll wrap up this post with a nice collection of POGs I found at Capitol:


Much like the Star Wars puzzle, these brought back some memories too.  But since I never really got into collecting them, they're just not at the same level as the puzzle sentimentally.  That's why I walked away and let someone else have the opportunity to buy this large collection of POGs and slammers.

Well that's it for today.  Have a wonderful week everyone.

Happy Monday and sayonara!

P.S.  Wanna win some on-card autographs and sweet magnet cards?  Check out Baseball Card Breakdown's contest.  Click here.

18 comments:

Mark said...

I always love your flea market posts, especially since it seems like the stuff found at flea markets in OH/PA are radically different than a lot of the stuff you come across. If you ever see the dealer with the Feller balls again, I'd be happy to pay you back + shipping for one.

Daniel Wilson said...

$5 for a HOF autographed baseball by Bob Feller! Wow! That's awesome! I was lucky enough to meet him several years ago, but that is an amazing deal!

JediJeff said...

I am trying to figure out what I am more jealous about - the Feller ball or the box of Galaxy.

Jupiterhill said...

I am really jealous of your Flea Market Posts. The best I can ever find at local flea markets are overpriced used CD's. One day I hope to find something cool and cheap enough to get.

Dawgbones said...

Damn dude!! You can't even buy a ROMLB for $5, let alone a signed one!! good job on that!

arpsmith said...

Great stuff, congrats on the pick ups, loving the Feller ball and Star Wars stuff. I am tempted to take a trip north just for your flea markets!

Tony L. said...

I'm with Richard -- the Ball ALONE is a $10 purchase...I don't care how many Feller signed, that's worth it.

Yankeejetsfan said...

I am drooling over your Star Wars pick ups. I actually saw that same puzzle at a thrift store and was going to snag it when my mom called my name and I turned my head and when I spun around to grab it it was gone.

I have been wanting to pick up some Star Wars cards lately. I just started a non sports binder and I have a couple vintage Luke Skywalker cards and some more modern Star Wars cards in it already.

Sweet Feller pick up. I had a autographed ball of his, but I gave it to an Indians collector I knew.

Awesome haul my friend. I am totally digging that Elvis decanter. If I ever stumble upon a Beatles one it will be mine.

Corky said...

A double dose of Bob Feller autos and a 1993 Star Wars Galaxy sealed box, definitely a day of "Winning!"

BobWalkthePlank said...

$5 baseballs! That is crazy. Even if I had signed it the ball is worth probably $8-10.

sg488 said...

No matter how many autographs Feller signed in his life,$5 a ball is a great deal for a hall of famer.I would have bought the whole box, keep a few and try to turn the rest over on E-Bay for $10-$15 apiece.

Mark Hoyle said...

Love the Feller

Fuji said...

I totally dropped the ball. I debated on buying the box, but I kept thinking what am I going to do with 9 autographed Feller balls. Lol... in hindsight, I probably could have sold five and made my money back then gave the rest as gifts.

If I come across them next month, I'll buy the rest of them.

Fuji said...

Glad to see another collector with the same passion for Star Wars.

Fuji said...

Don't get the wrong idea... I don't stumble across HOF baseballs for $5 every month. In fact last year, I quit going for a few months, b/c I hit a mean cold streak.

Fuji said...

Come on up... and I'll give you the guided tour :)

Fuji said...

Hey Mike... If you're looking for a cheap, but totally beautiful Star Wars set... check out these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Topps-STAR-WARS-CHROME-PERSPECTIVES-Complete-Refractor-100-card-set-/331501215408?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d2f031eb0

It's a 2014 refractor set that targets 50 SW characters from two different perspectives: Imperial & Rebels.

You can find the complete 100 refractor set for about $25 shipped.

Fuji said...

Yeah. I screwed up. I'm sure he sold the rest, but if he has them again next month, I'll buy whatever he has left.