I got up early this morning and drove to the Pasadena City College flea market. It was a chilly 50 degrees, but I was warm after walking around for just a few minutes. I’ve noticed that a few of the vendors were starting to recognize me so that’s kind of nice. When I left the studio I told myself I wasn’t going to buy anything, but I wasn’t able to escape without picking up a Polaroid 150 Field Camera (from the late 50s / early 60s) and bomber jacket for my mannequin. Anyway, here are a few photographs from today’s visit.

Today I spent most of the morning at the Rose Bowl Flea Market. Many of my "keeper" photos today came from the book of William and Wendy Horne who were very gracious in allowing me to photography their boxes of toys and games.

This was an antique version of a posable figure like those you can find in art
stores and IKEA. I see it saying formally, "How do you do."

I loved the bright green of the felt case and the wear and tear on this trumpet.

Scrabble anyone?

This one was too easy. When I got home I noticed that "art" was printed on the left side of the block.

I should have arranged these so that the numbers equaled 42.

I used to have a set of dominos like these when I was growing up.

I know that these pieces came from two different games. If only I could remember the name.

Another game whose name I don’t know.

I used to know someone who said "that’s nutty" all the time. And that might be why I’m partial to this image.

I’ve been told these are pieces from the deluxe version of Scrabble.

One of my favorite authors once wrote, "Stop playing chess — the game is checkers."

I need to find out the name of this game.

I really should have picked out the Monopoly houses that didn’t
belong but I didn’t want to wear out my welcome with this vendor.

Anyone need a hotel?

Snake eyes!

Did you know that blue is most people’s favorite color?

This made me go on a search to buy a bunch of green Army men. I couldn’t find
what I wanted (after about 30 minutes of searching) so I gave up (for now).

I wonder if any of these are casino die? And if anyone’s hopes or dreams were dashed because of them.

It’s getting near that time of year again!

These hair/hat pins were really cool. I wished I had hair or hats.

I asked this vendor if I could photograph these ornaments. After I chatted him up
a bit he offered me one for free. I didn’t take him up on the offer. 

These are bread clips. They keep bread bags closed and the bread fresh. This vendor had purchased a whole pallet of them.

I have no idea what these things were. but I liked the composition.

Green Knobs

Purple Knobs

This vendor was very precise in his tennis shoe alignment.

Several years ago I began my flea market project. I didn’t know it was going to be a "project" when I started and my vision for this collection of photos continues to evolve. Here are few photos from my first early visits to the Rose Bowl Flea Market and the PCC Flea Market (both in Pasadena, California).

Baby Scale

Female Mannequin

Child Mannequin

Mannequin Head

Wood Mannequin

Froggy says thumbs up.

Colored Glass

Tea anyone?

Made me want to visit Nashville (not really).

Wooderson: Say, man, you got a joint?
Mitch: No, not on me, man.
Wooderson: It’d be a lot cooler if you did.

Girls who wear cowboy hats …

Uncle Sam wants YOU Kermit.

Real guns and kids don’t mix. I’m ok with the toys.

Jenny!

Thank goodness for self propelled technology.

Who woulda thunk it?

Very cool vintage advertisements.

E.T. Phone Home

Where’s Waldo?

Nanananananana ….

I loved Big Boy when I was a kid …

Not a Snoopy to be found …

Raggedy Ann & Andy

Pipe clamps. A harbinger of my future work.

Shape, shadows, and lines …

More lines and boxes …