As hard as I try, I just have a hard time driving by a flea market and not stopping and just walking around. Believe it or not, there are times I come away with nothing. I know you all find that hard to believe but it is true.

Tuesday I drove by one after dropping my wife off to work, (I am getting in practice for retirement). I walked around and was almost finished and I stopped at this booth and looked in a small wooden display case. You find some really good stuff in those cases. I ask the gentleman if it was okay to open it and look at something inside and he gave me permission. Inside almost hidden under other stuff was this great little level.

This little pocket level came out in the late 1800's. It was made either all japanned, or with a brass top and japanned bottom or all brass. It is made to attach to a ruler and could have been and early combination square. 

When I took it out he said he had gotten it this past week and had no idea what it was. I ask him the price and he said 10.00. I offered 5.00 and he took it. I then explained to him what it was and about the age. I guess I shouldn't have done that after getting it for less. I have bought a couple of them for .50. This one has the vial in it and the bubble works great.

Most of the time when you find them the loop where the screw is has been broken from being over tightened. This one was in great condition. Stanley make it with a leave or a vine design on the top. It has not marking on it, but the catalog says it had no markings. 

So glad I recognized it. There were two other men standing there when I got it out that ask what it was. Said they had never seen one. 

So I made my way on around to the last few booths before heading back to the truck. Then there is was sitting on a table all dirty and tarnished. Not really looking too good but I picked it up to see if there was a name on it. Expecting to see Stanley I was surprised to see H Chapin. I have found a few Chapin folding rulers but this was a first on the level. 

The guy behind the table said that is an old one. I played as though i didn't know much about it and said, "really'. He said yea it has a name on it. I said really, you know anything about the name. He said no, but it must be old to be wood and brass and have a name other than Stanley on it.

Well he was right. H Chapin started in 1836 I believe. Later it became H Chapin and Sons then it became H Chapin's sons and then H Chapin's son and them Chapin-Stephens. 

He said he wanted 35.00 for it. I pointed out a chip on the bottom and one small bad spot on the brass and offered 15.00. He countered with 25.00 and I countered with 20.00 and he took the offer. I believe this ruler to be some where between 1836 and 1870 in age. I cleaned it off with some Murphy's soap and a little Brasso to see what was there. After the leaning it is stamped on the end, No.290.

I told him a little of the history of H Chapin after making the transaction. I didn't get it at a steal, but it was a good price and for the most part in good condition except the spot on the bottom. Both vials work and the bubbles appear to be dead on after all these years. 

So a nice stop at the flea market and I walked away happy with two great finds from the 1800's that will get added to the collection. I got to find a little more room Lew!!!

I love this Patriot Picking so until the next pick....

While the wife's away.......

John,

Nice Finds. 

What have you got to practice for? 

There's a BIG Flea Market at the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds coming up.  

I won't be going no, $$$ 

John,

Nice Finds. 

What have you got to practice for? 

There's a BIG Flea Market at the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds coming up.  

I won't be going no, $$$ 

I know some people think I have already retired as much as I have been off. But there are some really good pickers out there to compete with so I need the practice. Plus I'm working out my time schedule but it keeps getting messed up.

Another neat find, John. 

One really does need to practice for retirement. 

It took me several minutes to realize that I wasn't gong to work any more. Another few minutes to settle down really relax with my morning coffee. The confusion abated by day 2.

Wife asks "what are you doing today". I say "Nothing". She replies, "You did that yesterday. My answer is  "I didn't get finished."

The only downside to retirement is that we get no time off for holidays. 

 

Edited October 17, 201510 yr by Gene Howe

That's what I am afraid of Gene, I will never get finished!

A couple nice finds for sure.  

A couple nice finds for sure.  

Thanks, I love getting out and looking for these items and sharing them.

Nice additions. Sure wish we had more flea markets up this way. Looks like a fun way to spend the day.

Chis it is a lot of fun just looking and every now and then you find a jewel.