Vintage view, Stateside
f you’re destined for the United States this summer or any time of year, most cities throughout the country have at least one celebrated flea market, and in the case of larger destinations, there may be a wide choice of venues.
If you’re staying with friends or family who know the area check out local markets and antique quarters. Get deeper under the skin of the place, by spontaneous cruises of American yard sale culture, a perfect distraction after a Sunday plate of pancakes.
Keep your head, as the odd knick-knack or vintage fabric is one thing, but picking up anything significant could leave you with more than one expensive invoice when you try to wrangle home that delightful piece of Americana.
Larger, valuable items will require shipping and insurance, and whereas they is no import duty on antique goods and pieces valued at under €150, the 13.5% VAT and carriage rates for something heavy can be prohibitive. Revenue works this out on what’s termed a CIF value.
Let’s take for example a music box (certified as over 100 years old), stated as antique by you, declared as having a market value of €100, and costing you €50 to insure and ship home from the US.
The box will cost after import €170.25 to get to your door. You can only get out of VAT entirely if the CIF value (value, cost of shipping and insurance) does not exceed €22. Good luck. www.revenue.ie
The Maxwell Street Market is a beloved of tourists and locals for its eclectic rhythm of music, food, domestic tat, vintage, antique and collectables.
Relocated from its original position twice, but joyously surviving, this 19th century Jewish market has sustained strong musical roots that today delivers an energising soundtrack of blues, Latino and of course, being the Windy City — jazz. Go hungry.
The place is famed for its Mexican dishes (and I don’t mean ceramic). Sundays 7am-3pm. 800, S Desplaines St.
If you have trusting pals with a car, and your timing is right, it has to be the Brimfield Antique Show about a little over an hour out from Boston, in the wilds of Massachusetts.
Dating from the 1950s, there are over 5,000 stalls set in a carnival atmosphere over half a mile of Route 20, offering everything from vintage motorcycles to fine art. Prices are keen, but be prepared to dicker with a full bill-fold (wallet) at the ready.
A favourite of East coast movie stars, this year the show is running on July 14-19, and September 8-13. Go later in the day to avoid the $5-$10 entrance fee in some fields.
If you fancy a trip to a local town and a panoramic view of the bay and the city skyline, the first Sunday of every month there’s the Alameda Pointe Antique and Collector’s Faire. The San Francisco Bay Ferry can get you there from the city, meeting a free shuttle bus to the event.
Set on the runway of an old naval air station, there’s up to 800 sellers and up to 10,000 visitors, feasting, browsing and enjoying the views.
The area has other attractions including the retired aircraft carrier, the USS Hornet. The antique fair is $5 after 9am, and free after 2pm. Alamedapointantiquesfaire.com.
New York, as you would expect, has at least a dozen fabulous flea markets, more if you’re willing to explore what Brooklyn has to offer.
Most famous are probably the twin markets of the Annex-Hell’s Kitchen (West 39th Street between 9th & 10th Avenues) and the Chelsea Market (W. 25th St. btwn Sixth Ave. & Broadway).
Both are hip, brimming with spice and international wonder, manageable to walk and well attended by locals and the glitterati — always a good sign. Look for craft and designer goods by young makers, forging their way into the NY arts scene. 9-6pm every Saturday and Sunday. Annexmarkets.com
If you’re able to handle tootling along on the right side of the highway, and looking for an excuse for the ultimate collectors’ road-trip, try the 127 Yard Sale.
A glorious corridor, 127 makes up the largest yard sale in the world, and spans a route from Addison, Michigan to Gadsden, Alabama. Encompassing fields, pastures, parks and ordinary front yards, 127 is the perfect way to get off the droning Interstates and out into the smaller rural communities.
It’s a journey of over 690 miles (1110km) that includes the famous Lookout Mountain Parkway. Make up your own route as you go, and prepare to be completely smitten by the beauty of Georgia.
This year it’s running fromAugust 6-9. Everything you need to know including Apps, maps and directions is posted at 127yardsale.com.
Enjoying the sights of LA? The Rose Bowl Flea Market is a likely spot to see movie stars and rock Gods rooting for the unusual and kitsch.
On the East side of LA and set by the feted Rose Bowl Stadium, there’s five miles of stall frontage, so check the weather as the heat can prove overwhelming at this and other summer events. Bring food and water as it’s over-priced.
Tickets are $8-$15 in, $20 if you want to run in with the dealers and celebrity guests at 5am. Second Sunday of every month, 5am-4pm.
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