We set up on Thursday complete with camp tents for sleeping over and had two sites with tables to sell. We were glad the family had some items they could place on our table to sell! This was a first for us! I have to admit I was interested more in the buy-side on this trip and being with family for a few days while we shopped. Also, we didn't have much room left in the van to haul stuff across the United States to sell at the fair or then haul back.
The Flea Market is held in the middle of a cornfield at a country fairground. We had excellent weather. The hospitality and organization was good. The rest rooms and showers were fairly clean and were a welcome respite considering the humidity. I personally found the best time for a shower was 3 a.m. since it was quiet, no lines, with plenty of hot water!
Each morning broke clear and sunny with a plentiful array of vendors ready for business with antique and vintage finds.
Copyright James E. Martin 2015 What Cheer Flea Market
The fairgrounds are surrounded by cornfields, soybeans, and farm roads.
Copyright James E. Martin 2015 What Cheer Borders
One of the vendors displayed a marvelous camper remodeled in bold, mid-century colors and an attractive sales display tent alongside. I have to award them Best-of-Show with a level of class to which we should all aspire. Just lovely!
Copyright James E. Martin 2015 What Cheer Best of Show Display
After getting over my camper lust, I found enough vintage smalls to fill three boxes which we could fit into the van on the return home. Some 1950-60's Yankee and Red Sox baseball cards, some vintage postcards, antique lithograph Santas, some gorgeous Bavarian china items suitable for artistic still life paintings, and three sets of Kissing Cousin curios. I also got some A&W root beer steins of different sizes, four English woodworking planes, some old books, an old miniature piccolo banjo needing some slight repair and refinish, and a vintage children's hand cymbal set. My Mom used to collect those when we were younger.
I was able to find three framed items that I thought were distinctive. The first was a curiously signed and labeled painting in the style of Vincent Van Gogh. It is signed "M. Madden 1986". It is hand-inscribed on the reverse:
V. Van Gogh "Arlie (sic: Arles) Old Mill".
Painted by M.M. van Gogh-GGS-CA (1986)
Further, it is stamped three times with address labels for:
Martin Madden Construction Consultant
Lord International Inc.
Delta Lord University
Cairo, Egypt
Ismalia, A.R.E
Pasadena, California
Original Photo: Copyright James E. Martin 2015 - M. Madden 1986 Van Gogh
The second oil painting was signed "Hulbert after Ziegler". A lovely, wistful image of two individuals gazing off into the distance while enjoying a sunny, breezy day on a hilltop. This rendition is characteristic of the color and style of Eustace Paul Ziegler (1881 -1969) depicting rugged Alaskan individuals in frontier scenery. At this early stage of my research into the painting, this original painting does not yet appear to be an explicit copy of any Zeigler painting or portion thereof. Its compelling image may be original. I wish I knew more about Hulbert.
Original Photo: Copyright James E. Martin 2015 - Hulbert after Ziegler
The third item was a turn-of-the-century lithograph suitable for a dining room that I will label "Still Life of Farm Fruit". My wife found this item and called me back to ask my opinion. It was affordably priced, we have bought others similar to it, and I especially liked it at this time because it informs the graphic depiction of a cantalope with longitudinal rinds which could inspire my potential revisiting of Baskets of Summer Peaches and Cantalope.
Original Photo: Copyright James E. Martin 2015 Still Life of Farm Fruit
We had impending threats of thunderstorms as Sunday approached. For the most part, the storms went by us on both sides from Northeast to Southwest. But we were able to finish Sunday business and break camp before it started raining in mid-afternoon. A great weekend with lots of fun, some memorable finds, and visiting with family!
Copyright James E. Martin 2015 What Cheer Incoming Storm at Close
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