Flea Market Finds #80: Some Swell Cardboard

When:  Thursday, April 9th
Where:  Capitol Flea Market
What:  Variety of Sports Memorabilia and a View Master
How Much?: $12

The best day to attend the Capitol Flea Market is Thursday.  Not Friday.  Not Saturday.  Not even on Sunday.  It's Thursday.

Don't ask me to explain it, because I can't.  But for some reason, there are tons of vendors and plenty of shoppers too.  That's why I had last Thursday marked on my calendar for over a month.  Spring Break had arrived and there was no chance I'd miss walking around and tracking down some hidden treasures.

Unfortunately... I didn't strike gold, but I didn't walk away empty-handed either.

Purchase #1:  1990 Swell Baseball Greats Wax Box $5

There were several guys with unopened wax and factory sets.  Of course all of it ranged from 1988 Donruss to 1992 Score.  This was the only box that caught my attention.  I've seen Swell baseball cards before, but I've never actually opened a box of this stuff.

I'll save it for a rainy day, which in California might not be until next year.

Purchase #2:  Jaromir Jagr Autographed 8x10 $1

I started collecting and following hockey in the early 90's when the Sharks arrived in San Jose.  Back then Jagr was just starting his bright career.  Twenty-something years later he's done everything from win Stanley Cup Championships to lead the league in scoring.

That's why I was pretty excited to find this autographed photo in a stack of magazines.  I was even happier when the lady said I could have anything in the stack for a dollar.  Is it real?  Well since I wasn't there when the photo was signed, I can't say for sure.  But when I compared it to certified autographs of his, they look the same.  Either way... it set me back a buck.

Purchase #3:  Vintage View-Master $4

This is one of those items I plan to flip the next time I set up at the flea market.  When I saw it, I noticed the Fantasyland discs alone go for $4, so I figured I could at least double... possibly triple my money on this purchase.

Purchase #4:  Klay Thompson Bobblehead $2

This is another flea market flip item.  The Warriors are the hottest item since sliced bread in the Bay Area and these easily fetch $40 if they are new in the box.  Sadly... I don't have the box and the left leg is broken.  But a little glue will resolve that issue and I'm confident I'll still be able to get $10 to $20 for it.

Well that's it for now.  Saturday is the 19th Annual Tristar San Francisco Collectors Show at the Cow Palace.  I'll be looking for a '56 Williams or a '63 Uecker, but I'm not holding my breathe.  At the end of the day, I'll be happy if there are some quality dime boxes and quarter bins to flip through.  Either way... if I find anything, you guys will be the first to know.

Happy Thursday and sayonara!