Being a collector, I enjoy going to flea markets and antique shows.

Sometimes I will set up at a flea market, as I did last weekend.

I used to participate in the outdoor markets. They are less expensive, and I don’t have many, if any, high end items to sell.

Since I have matured, the outdoor markets have lost their appeal.

In the heart of the Midwest, not having to be concerned about rain or or heat or cold really is a plus.

I’ve had my fair share of all three, trying to keep items covered while it’s raining, only to take the tarps off and have it start raining again.

Then there’s looking for a cool, shady spot when you are out in the sun and it’s 90 degrees-plus. Or the other extreme, finding yourself dancing around trying to stay warm.

I’ve never done flea markets on a regular basis.

For years, I did one or more a month. Now I am down to a few a year. Presently, there are several motivations for me to setup:

First, to unload household items we no longer need; second, to sell duplicates or items I no longer want in my collections; and most importantly, to promote the Learning Tree Farm’s Antiques Appraisal Event, which I chair.

I have always enjoyed my experiences at flea markets.

Profiting by Experience

Not only does it give you an opportunity to find a new home for your treasures, you also get to meet many interesting individuals. Notice I did not say anything about making money. I don’t consider that a valid reason for me to take the time and expend the energy to participate in a flea market.

When setting up, you have great expectations. Then you wonder why when it comes time to dismantle. I give a lot of credit to the individuals who do this on a regular basis, especially those brave enough to do outside shows.

Last weekend, I set up at the County Fairgrounds, at a show called Flea-N-Tique, a combination of flea market and antique show.

It used to be two separate shows. When the entrepreneur Gordon was struggling to keep both going, he came up with the idea of combining them, and it has worked.

The show, held in the Coliseum Building, November through April, usually is full. So I committed last July. At that time I had set up at another of his shows called Shop ‘Til You Drop, at an arena on the north side of town. The only part I dislike about doing either show is that both are two-day events.

My booth contains a limited number of postcards, which draw a lot of interest. Another popular item I bought at an auction is postal first-day issues. I bought a box of them. Since I already had a few, I decided to go through them, putting them in order by date and placing them in specially made plastic pages.

In doing so, I found I over 200 duplicates. So they are in my booth. They always receive attention, and last weekend I sold all of them.

The balance of my booth contains miscellaneous items, and items from my collecting interests. I price my items to sell. On Sunday, I have a half-price sale when attendance is not great. My goal each time I set up is to at least sell the large and bulky items.

Attending a flea market can be fun, if just to see the unusual items people have for sale. You might even find yourself saying, “Are they really trying to sell that?” The favorite saying for dealers is, “This isn’t a museum. All items are for sale.”

By the way, I’m proud of myself. I only spent ten dollars at the show.

See you at a flea market.

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net