BCEFA FLEA 2019 COLLECTORS UNITE- Page 5

[thecometbringsnofear]

Posted: 9/22/19 at 11:48pm

Certainly agree with everyone commenting on the pricing. I normally go in the morning and then go back around 4:30-5 for the sales, and this year they seemed to be doing far less of that. Stuff seemed priced higher from last year, which was disappointing. I wish that the curtain call table had been given more space, since it was always mobbed. Despite that, I still had a good year and got some exciting finds! 

My haul: 

• Angels In America opening night bag 
• Fun Home pride shirt and Airplane sketch 
• Hercules bracelet, fun home and fortress of solitude pins from the public 
• Bernadette Peters Hello Dolly poster 
• Original Carousel production poster (for a friend) 
• Sweeney Todd at Barrow Street poster 
• Next to Normal OBC playbill, Little Shop OBC playbill, Indecent opening night playbill, Sunday In The Park OBC playbill 

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 9/23/19 at 12:03am

Phillytheatreguy10 said: "The closed show table was crazy and people didn’t move, they just stood there. I think Be More Chill could’ve had its own table as the majority of the stuff there was from that show. I got there at 9:45 and was outby 10:30."

Do you remember what else they had at the closed show table? Just curious. Maybe next year I'll go early again. But I was busy this morning and the year I went early I ended up overspending at first and then leaving early rather than continue lugging my haul around. 

@magictodo123 Thanks for the explanation. Yeah. I don't know. I can't remember if they were leather or canvas bags but they were wider bags with handles (not tote bags) and I remember thinking they would be a funny gag given what happens at the end of Act 1 of Bright Star.

I appreciate hearing that people who went early also found the merch and apparel selection disappointing. It makes me feel better about going later. 

Also, shout out to the girl at The Public table making up songs to the tune of songs from Hercules. For all the complaints about crowds, I didn't think this year was too bad and there were still plenty of people having a good time. 

[Rainah]

Posted: 9/23/19 at 12:14am

SandyDee said: "This was my first BCEFA Flea, and it was exactly what I was expecting. I got there at noon, so I didn't expect much in terms of like...holy grail items.Honestly the Mean Girls and Hadestown tables were the best to walk by. When I got there Hadestown was pimping a photo holding their Tony for $20, which is definitely a decent donation idea. I just wish that they'd just...I dunno moved the tables a bit farther apart for slightly more wiggle room? Admittedly I didn't go early so the side of the crowd was expected, I just didn't really consider how many people would just plant where they stood on the sidewalk.

I walked away with a signed window card for The Crucible (which was literally being discounted from $75to $50 as I was deciding) and a ribbon pin ($1)."

Thing is, the tables WERE more spread out and were moved closer together. No idea why.

I went ridiculously early to wait at Hadestown, anticipating a repeat of Great Comet two years ago. As a newcomer I was very happy with my finds. Lots of collector items I would not be able to get anywhere else. A wine glass from Hamilton (from Satisfied), fan, candle, and opening night gift from hadestown, a bunch of little things that I would like to have but can't afford to buy on ebay and ship... Stuff wise I was happy. Prices seemed very hit and miss, I found Hadestown prices a downright steal (don't know if they went up later in the day I was one of the first), Hamilton to have some decent deals on some items, where some tables seemed overpriced and I could get it elsewhere cheaper.

 

The only thing I wanted and couldn't find was some great comet playbills.

 

Organization wise it seemed a bit of a mess, especially tables with boxes of playbills to root through. Just too many people for that. I had been considering autographs but was very happy to decide I didn't want it that bad and not deal with the madhouse. 

 

The tony award thing is great. I'd totally pay $20 to hold a tony award, just for the novelty.

 

Overall it was a much more exhausting experience than I was expecting but I was really pleased with what I got.

[Rainah]

Posted: 9/23/19 at 12:28am

Rakesh Natarajan said: "Does anyone know what stuff was at the Hadestown table when they first opened? I’m curious about what items were gone within the first few minutes."

From my memory

Eurydice candles signed by amber

Wooden chips with greek on them, given to interns

The opening night gift, a train whistle

"Belladonna kiss" chapstick

Vials of Orpheus stage blood that at least one person running the booth was sketched out by

The little books Orpheus writes lyrics in, all written in by Reeve

Pins, cheaper than at the theatre

Ambers fan, signed

The fates fan, signed by all three

Hades handkerchief, signed, not stage used but exactly the same

There was exactly one painted jean jacket, it was intended for the show but was cut in favour of the current costume, signed by reeve and eva

Flowers used in the show, signed by either reeve and eva or patrick and amber

Workers boots/shoes

Drum sticks and tops

I think I saw guitar picks?

Sheets of lyrics signed by anais

Signed posters and playbills

 

[HighFlyingAdored97]

Posted: 9/23/19 at 12:36am

I found the Hadestown table to be super disappointing. I’m a huge fan of Amber but those candles were creepy looking. They looked like they were going to be used to summon her in a ritual that requires a blood sacrifice.

[atuomala]

Posted: 9/23/19 at 12:54am

teresa2 said: "I wanted a roundabout mug, but I refused to pay 15.00 for it. My friend got a regular broadway show mug at another table for 2.00."

 

I was gobsmacked that Roundabout was asking $15 for mugs from closed shows that maybe only a handful of the people at the market actually saw. Other tables were practically giving the mugs away, meanwhile they wanted retail price. 

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 9/23/19 at 1:08am

Jordan - I had a similar conversation with the man at the Dancers Over 40 table who swore a squiggly line was Stephanie’s signature and I was like - no, sir - it’s not. I had gone fairly early in the morning and was about to buy one of the posters (they had two designs - the Marquee logo and the trio of Chers) when myself and these two girls discovered Stephanie hadn’t signed them and it was very disappointing. One of the girls and I met up again at the table later on and that’s when the man at the table told us about the squiggly line being her signature and both of us told him it wasn’t possible. Toward the end of the day, they were selling School of Rock posters they “believed” were signed by Alex Brightman but from the look of the signature it was not him.

Overall, I think spent the least I’ve ever spent in total (I brought $90 but only spent $28 ) and I’m pretty happy with my findings. I have gotten more into the habit of only buying things I will use or really really want over the years and it’s done me well. As many mentioned, you couldn’t get anywhere near the Curtain Call table and I did try many times, but simply couldn’t deal with the chaos.

As others noted, a lot of stiff prices and people not willing to haggle or lower the price by day’s end. I had been circling a few items at the Dear Evan Hansen table and nothing seemed to be dropping too much.

I always enjoy Flea Market because it’s such a fun day to see friends and performers alike and share in a big day for the Broadway community but it’s definitely messy.

• Dear Evan Hansen unsigned Arena Stage poster ($5)
• Dear Evan Hansen tour poster ($1)
• Dear Evan Hansen Broadway (Taylor Trensch cast) ($1)
• Legally Blonde West End tote bag with “Harvard Law? What? Like it’s hard” on the back ($2)
• Hamilton tour DC tote bag that says Tomorrow there will be more of us ($10)
• I Belong at The Prom button ($2)
• Charlie Brown Christmas mug (a gift for my aunt -$1)
• An Act Of God mug (another gift for my aunt - $1)
• A pad of At This Performance slips that say the role of Solider/Alex in Sunday in the Park with George will be played by Andrew Kober ($5)

Updated On: 9/23/19 at 01:08 AM

[JuneJune]

Posted: 9/23/19 at 1:11am

Was anyone at that table that decided to go "$1 for everything you can hold" at around 4:00? Geez, that was crazy. A lot of pushing towards the front and no one letting anyone leave. I'm guessing this is what Curtain Call looked like before 10:00?

Saw a man walk away with more than a handful of the signed SoR posters. To me, looked like more than double what I got, but it's not like I tried to count. I was luckily able to grab 5, one for me and 4 friends who stayed back and didn't dare try to dive in, lol. I was wondering if anyone knew who the two signatures are?

After looking at everyone's lists so far, I feel a bit sheepish. It's my first flea so I got carried away and splurged on a lot of small items (albeit ones that made me happy, so it's not all for naught), but I didn't really get any "big ticket items." I think the best items I got from today were that School of Rock poster and a Kinky Boots opening night bill for $1.

Updated On: 9/23/19 at 01:11 AM

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 9/23/19 at 1:15am

June - If it’s the poster from the Dancers Over 40 table, the signature on the upper left corner is Justin Colette (closing Dewey on Broadway) and the other signature they claimed to be Alex Brightman but wasn’t I’m not sure who it was.

[Rainah]

Posted: 9/23/19 at 1:51am

HighFlyingAdored97 said: "I found the Hadestown table to be super disappointing. I’m a huge fan of Amber but those candles were creepy looking. They looked like they were going to be used to summon her in a ritual that requires a blood sacrifice. "

There ya go! Great use for the vials of blood they were selling

(I didn't mind the candles but the blood was a bit weird. Orpheus doesn't even get very bloody in papers)

[Marianne2]

Posted: 9/23/19 at 8:00am

Thanks for explaining The Cher Show posters. Glad I was not interested in them at all then. At least I could tell that Kristin Chenoweth did sign my On the 20th Century playbill.

I have to say, I did get a lot of stuff I liked, but it definitely wasn't the best flea market in the 10 years I've been going. Prices were insane at some tables for essentially lackluster items. The creative selling from the past isn't there anymore either. It also is annoying how they advertise this running from 10-7, but it seems like people start packing up between 4 and 6 now. Or is the 7pm end time always been more for the auction part? I've never stayed to watch.

My haul included:
Shuffle Along opening night gift
On the 20th Century signed playbill
Lots of cups
La Cage Aux Folles magnet
Bye Bye Birdie tee
In the Heights Chasing the Dream special from PBS
Frozen from Denver tee
Older Broadway cares tee with show logos on it
Moulin Rouge pride Playbill
Hello Dolly Water bottle

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/23/19 at 8:49am

There seemed to be WAY more Les Miz stuff than usual at the Phantom table, which I was pretty happy about.

I found a bagged La Bohème windowcard at the closed-show table. I had to wait a few hours for the hordes of teens to move.

I definitely paid more for a shirt than I expected, but it was still cheaper than at the actual merch booth. I did pay $1 for an M. Butterfly shirt, which was quite pretty and I didn't dislike the show enough to avoid their stuff.

The baked goods were again very good! Many left over for $1 each at The Lion King.

[Wick3]

Posted: 9/23/19 at 8:57am

ClumsyDude15 said: "I have gotten more into the habit of only buying things I will use or really really want over the years and it’s done me well.As many mentioned, you couldn’t get anywhere near the Curtain Call table and I did try many times, but simply couldn’t deal with the chaos."

I agree with you. This is my 5th time going to flea and I used to buy so many small things from various tables but this time around just bought a few items. Yes that curtain call table was chaotic and I only spent 2 mins there before moving on. I did appreciate the people manning the table raising some items above their heads to advertise to everyone all the Be More chill/Prom merch they had.

My budget was $100 and bought the following:

Dear Evan Hansen teddy bear (Bloomingdale's 2016 edition) - $50 

Beetlejuice bowtie (handmade by wardrobe team member Steph Cathro) - $25

Once on this Island sippy cups - 11 for $10. 

I thought about waiting until later in the day to haggle for the items above but I figure it's for charity and I pay roughly $35-$50 for rush tickets so to me it's fine. I remember that teddy bear back in holiday season 2016 but opted not to get any since I didn't have much disposable income at the time. I wear cute bowties throughout the year so I thought it was innovative for Beetlejuice wardrobe to make a few for BCEFA. Lastly, I loved the look of the orange juice in the Once on this Island sippy cup I had this morning! lmao. Overall am happy with my finds and BCEFA flea experience this year!

[the.hard.part]

Posted: 9/23/19 at 9:38am

I ended up below budget so can't complain.




Purchases:


Newsies opening night messenger bag - $15

LOB Flea cards - 5 for $20

Hadestown Candle - $25

Hadestown wooden token - $1

Hadestown opening night train whistle - $10

Bella Donna Kiss by Orpheus lip balm - 2 for $5

King Kong Rope Keychains - 2 for $1

"We Look to You" sheet music signed by Chad and Matthew - $1

I belong at the Prom button - $1

Bombshell bumper sticker - $1

The Producers checks to Max from Hold me Touch Me - 2 for $1

Million Dollar Quartet Program - $1

Hygge Leaves - $2

Frozen Shirts - 3 for $10

Hercules Bracelet - $1

Stress Groundhog - $1

Once on this Island cup - $1





Freebies:

Kiss Me Kate mints

Les Mis button

Public Theatre button

A Christmas Story sampler CD

Hercules Pom Pom

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 9/23/19 at 9:41am

JuneJune said: "Was anyone at that table that decided to go "$1 for everything you can hold" at around 4:00? Geez, that was crazy. A lot of pushing towards the front and no one letting anyone leave. I'm guessing this is what Curtain Call looked like before 10:00?
 

Ugh, yes there were some terribly rude people at that table. Saw one older guy pushing a cart grab a whole armful of random posters off the table, which included about 15 Network posters and all the posters for another show I forget right now. A young girl was so upset he grabbed literally every poster from some show she was looking for. WTF do you need 10 copies of the same poster for?

And at the Curtain Call table, there were these people who just planted themselves at the front of the table and would not let anyone even get next to them to see what was there. It was obvious they weren't even buying stuff for themselves. (A very large man barking "Give me that!!" to every Small t-shirt being held up?)

Overall I thought the crowds were more manageable than in previous years, but that table was a nightmare. The poor sellers kept having to yell at people trying to get behind the table to stay back.

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 9/23/19 at 10:16am

I thought the crowds at the beginning of the day were not as bad as what I'd experienced in the past.  I too was ready for a backup at Hadestown a la Comet, but that wasn't the case and their prices were a steal for what they had. Overall prices were just too high, I know BCEFA can't regulate that, but they could at the very least tell the people selling next year.  To the person asking about the Curtain call table I was 3 deep and I couldn't see anything physically on the table, what I got was held up in the air lol- in general people there were planted and not moving- they didn't start selling until 10 though, but people were lined up across from it like a race was about to begin.  I think the chaos here, but also to my benefit, was that they seemed to be holding things up like auction style and that may have been why people stayed around- but prices here, as everywhere else seemed too high- $50 for a binder used in the pit of Be More Chill- pass, and again, they had an abundance of Be More chill Stuff- they could've benefited by having one table of that and a table for the rest of their stuff- that could be my OCD, but it would've been more manageable- also, with the Comet table years ago, they kept their line moving, this table could've done that as well because it was insane from the get go. Hopefully next year will be more enjoyable, this may have been an off year reflected by the previous season, I'm not sure why this year was so different then previous years. 

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 9/23/19 at 10:22am

Maybe I'll go early next year for the Curtain Call table if the selection is going to be so dismal elsewhere. I don't mind getting into it. I just want to haul some shirts and closed show merch. I feel like I mostly bought stuff this year because it was priced well and not because I really wanted it. 

I really wish they would put all the tables with Playbills together. I feel like I wasted a lot of time figuring out which tables just had Playbills only to then have to get back through the crowd to move on. 

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/23/19 at 10:27am

There seemed to be a lot more backpacks as opposed to tote bags this year from attendees — the rules should be the same as on the subway. If it's crowded, take it off! (I did.)

[hollebolle]

Posted: 9/23/19 at 10:56am

My haul--

• Canvas To Kill a Mockingbird tote ($5). I think this was originally distributed for an event at Sardi's, per an ebay listing.
• The Prom Tony voter book/brochure ($3). This includes a signed "We Look to You" sheet music. 
• The Prom coasters ($5)
• The Ferryman Tony voter book ($3)
• The Ferryman T-shirt ($5)
• Angels in America USB audiobook ($25). This was an advanced copy of the audiobook from the publisher. Saw it for much cheaper at another table but I'm super happy with this purchase. 
• Unsigned Oklahoma window card ($5)
• Les Mis standing poster thing from the Phantom table ($1). Honestly not even sure what it is. 
• Network/UBS crew hat ($25) for my friend!
• Grab bag of random stuff from Curtain Call table ($5)
• 2 TDF pick-a-tic wins for an Monday Night Magic and Bacchae at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (spent $40)
• Broadway Green Alliance notepad made from Playbill understudy inserts ($5)

Updated On: 9/23/19 at 10:56 AM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/23/19 at 11:00am

Those Alliance notepads were $5 as they were packing up. Every year I stock up on those at the end of the day and get like 3 for $1. That was some bullshirt this year.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 9/23/19 at 11:04am

Jordan Catalano said: "Those Alliance notepads were $5 as they were packing up. Every year I stock up on those at the end of the day and get like 3 for $1. That was some bullshirt this year. "

Jordan I tried for Ritz notepads. Same deal. They wanted $5 no budging. Guess they like carrying them back. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/23/19 at 11:09am

It seems every table this year really enjoys lugging things back.

Of all the stuff I managed to get yesterday though, the weirdest most random find was a big pair of sunglasses signed by Elaine Stritch for $2. How could I pass that up?

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 9/23/19 at 11:12am

Jordan Catalano said: "It seems every table this year really enjoys lugging things back.

Of all the stuff I managed to get yesterday though, the weirdest most random find was a big pair of sunglasses signed by Elaine Stritch for $2. How could I pass that up? "

I mean that’s amazing!!! How is something signed by Stritch $2 and a damn pad is five. They have no idea what they’re doing. 

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 9/23/19 at 11:14am

^ That's a cool find! I wonder if the grand total is going to reflect the pricing being too high- I don't wish the event any ill will, I love it, but it would seem if so much was left over by the end maybe not as much was made in total- I know the big money probably comes from auction items, but I'm curious to see what the outcome is.

Updated On: 9/23/19 at 11:14 AM

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 9/23/19 at 12:12pm

There were several very high priced items sold at the Grand Auction (Phantom's walk-on went for $13,000 and was doubled, a musical note from Dear Evan Hansen was $11,000, I think something else was also around $10,000) so whatever if anything they may have lost at the tables was more than made up for in the auctions. I'm not sure if there'll be any notable difference in the grand total this year. (The previous two years' totals had a huge increase from past years, not sure why, so even if this year is less than 2018 I don't know if that could be blamed on high prices alone.)