The Conical Glass: eBay Live

Sunday, July 05, 2009

eBay Live

For months, I've been meaning to make it to the Alameda Antique & Collectibles Faire (sic), which takes place on the first Sunday of the month on the decommissioned Navy base. I've been trying to find a few furnishings -- two Mission-style side tables and a set of four dining chairs -- so this morning, I finally got around to making the trek. I arrived shortly after 9 AM, when the admission price goes down to $5. (If you arrive at 6 AM, you pay $15; at 7:30 AM, the fee drops to $10.) Any worries that all of "the good stuff" had been snapped up before I arrived were soon put to rest.

I was totally unprepared for the vastness of this mega-flea market. The only comparisons I can make are to the final scene of "Raiders of the Lost Ark," in that endless warehouse, or to eBay -- as if the entire site had suddenly sprung out of the Web and into reality. To say it's "large" or "huge" would be an understatement. It's enormous.

After walking approximately a half mile from my parking space to the entrance gate, I decided to check out the booths on the right side of the aisle, then, when I came to the end, go up the left side. I was a little disappointed to note that there wasn't a ton of furniture. It was mostly smaller stuff: jewelry, glassware, old toys, sheet music, vintage clothing, Pez dispensers, postcards, etc. Perhaps the oddest thing I saw was an old asbestos shingle cutter. There are over 800 vendors, according to the web site, and all of them are supposed to abide by the rule that everything for sale must be at least 20 years old. I saw a few cheaters -- a "Pirates of the Caribbean" replica ship (from the 2003 Johnny Depp movie), a stack of 2007 magazines, a box of CDs (Beck's Odelay won't turn 20 'til 2016!) -- but mainly the stuff was, indeed, pre-1989. One retailer had a rack of acid-wash jeans -- God forbid those ever come back into style!

The only thing I considered buying was a small dime slot machine marked "Souvenir of Reno." It cost $35. I've always wanted to own a vintage slot machine, preferably one of those huge Bell Fruit Gum nickel slots, but I thought it might be a fun thing to have. I'm not sure if it was a real slot machine or just a coin bank. Unfortunately, I didn't note the location of the booth and lost track of it. Later, I realized that each aisle is marked by a painted letter on the ground, so you will know to go back to, say, Row O. There were also some marvelous vintage U.K. bus destination blinds, but they were a bit pricier (around $250).

The other thing I've always coveted is an art deco tabletop cigarette dispenser like the one in my grandparents' old rental house in Ft. Lauderdale. You pulled on the top and the cigarettes unfurled like the petals of a flower. I don't smoke, but I thought it was ultra-cool. If I had one, I would get some fake cigarettes to keep in it.

Anyway, I struck out on everything I was searching for, but it was fun to look -- up to a point. After about an hour and a half, I was exhausted. It's the same kind of mental and physical overload I get when I spend too long in a big museum -- I need a break. If I return, I'll take advantage of the vast array of food booths for a rest and a snack.

If you're in the Bay Area, the next Antiques Faire is Aug. 2. Bring some good walking shoes and a warm coat (it's right on the water, and there are stiff breezes blowing off the bay).

posted by 125records @ 7:50 PM

3 Comments:

At 9:43 AM, Janet Rudolph said…

Glad you went. Slow day at the Flea Market with only 3/4 of the booths filled (Fourth of July weekend). August should be much better with more dealers and people booths. We found some old signs, a small rug and some new glass bubble paperweights, all reasonably priced. You're right--no chairs. I had a great chocolate banana muffin from the Alameda bakery. If you're back to sugar, try it next time. We were there from 7:30 to 12:30, and we didn't hit all the booths. I got my workout for the day. Little did I know my sister planned a hike for the late afternoon. Doubly tired but tighter..??
At 4:47 PM, Anonymous said…

Hummmm......I think I know where you could secure a "bell, fruit, gum" nickel machine. Needs some work and we have looked for awhile for someone who could work on it for us with no luck. Still full of nickels from way back! When Scott was a Cub Scout and I was the Den Mother, the boys used to play it after the meetings. They thought it was so great to be doing something "against the law" in Michigan!!
At 4:53 PM, 125records said…

Aunt Sally: I was always so fascinated by your old slot machine when I was a kid. Funny the things that stick with you! When I was in Las Vegas there were some very cool vintage slot machines for sale. If you Google "slot machine repair" you will see that there are a few companies out there, but I'll bet it would cost a bundle to ship that thing -- it must weigh a ton (even without the nickels)! Good news is that since your machine is over 25 years old, it's perfectly legal.

Janet: I was there from 9:15-11:30 but the place is so vast (even with 3/4 booths) I'm not surprised I didn't see you & Frank! Maybe we can arrange to meet up for a snack in August. Joe wants to come if his knee is up to it.