A table at the Puce des Vanves is laden with miscellaneous porcelain and curiosities. Note the gold brocade shoes with curled toe pieces, straight out of The Arabian Nights! Susan of Soozphotoz took this photo Sunday morning with her zoom lens, as taking pictures is taboo. Apparently, the stall holders are concerned about Japanese tourists taking pictures of items, then having reproductions made cheaply in Japan.
Old printers' letters purchased at the Antiquities Brocante at Place de Bastille and the flea market at Puces des Vanves. Fifteen "Bs" currently reside atop an old French mercantile cabinet with 18 drawers, mounted above my desk. I also found some letter "Ts" and old rubber stamps featuring initials in script. The letters purchased at Bastille were nearly ten times the price of those at the open-air Puces des Vanves - at the latter, there's no overhead for dealers.
This slim journal from the 1880s contains handwritten poetry and sonnets.
A modern bandbox covered with a reproduction of old paper, three metres of ribbon, a plaster angel, the aforementioned journal and two prayer missals were purchased at Puce des Vanves. The Messe de Mariage (marriage mass) pictured is brown leather, adorned with a silver ornament and lined in green silk moire. The Missel Romain from 1897 also is covered with brown leather and lined in Florentine paper. What do you look for at flea markets?
I love seeing this modern hatbox converted to vintage look with paper. I just rescued a winnie the pooh box from krista's trash. She thinks I'm out of my mind, but I'm going to cover it. Great minds think alike.
Posted by: AnnieElf | 06 March 2007 at 21:09
I'm bringing my daughter to Paris in June as a gradation gift. Your blog is a treasure chest of information for me. The Flea Markets are going to be highlights of our trip as we both love them. I do lots of altered art and hope to find lots of fun stuff to incorporate into my projects.
Dana in VA
Posted by: Dana Smith | 14 February 2007 at 06:15
i love those old printer's letters! you certainly have an eye for great stuff... if i ever make it to paris, i would LOVE to go shopping with you.
Posted by: leonie | 01 December 2006 at 16:58
We WOULD be dangerous together antique shopping! I purchased a bunch of those old type-print wooden letters in Brussels. I love them! And the leather books, and angel. Deary me. Yes, we would definately be trouble together. But a good trouble.
Posted by: Rosa | 01 December 2006 at 01:43
I would have bought those shoes and
the letters.
I love old letters.
The journal is amazing!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Sophie | 30 November 2006 at 20:34
hmmmm... what do I look for a flea markets; good question. art, furniture, postcards, old photos.... (love the B's; what a fun collection)
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | 30 November 2006 at 18:26
I thought it couldn't get any better than the Arabian Nights shoes until I scrolled down to that beautifully scripted, handwritten journal. Gasp! I soooooo want one!
Posted by: bb | 30 November 2006 at 17:38
The French flea markets are a wonderland of history lessons, romance, children songs and for me a marvel of delight.
I like the photos SP has an amazing eye for detail!
Posted by: tongue in cheek | 30 November 2006 at 12:18
oooh, i want that leather journal! Tara, one of these days i am going to get on the eurostar to Paris and go shopping with you :-) x
Posted by: susannah | 30 November 2006 at 12:15
oh, I have to get myself over there before it is all gone - turning 50 in a year and a month - my plan is to visit England & France for my 50th - can you leave some treasures for me?
Posted by: miss*R | 30 November 2006 at 12:06
Your flea market looks like what we call an antiques mall. Our flea markets are pure, newish junk. I like yours much better-- especially the printers letters. I have a few of them, but haven't put them out in years. I suddenly feel inspired to decorate with them!
Posted by: ally bean | 30 November 2006 at 11:17
Whatever calls out to me - though the journal I think would definitely have been calling to me. Postcards, old photos, old toys, silverware, garden ornaments, even roadmaps - anything that could be used in artwork or assemblage - those usually catch my attention.
Wonderful finds, Tara!
Posted by: tinker | 30 November 2006 at 08:44
I would have bought the plaster angel and the journal (gorgeous old handwriting and tres romantique poetry). If I make it to Paris next year, I must go to a marché aux puces!
I have a small collection of printer's blocks. I've used a couple in assemblages; they wonderful.
Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Colette | 30 November 2006 at 05:46
Those shoes are fabulous! I haven't been to a flea market in years, but the last time I went I found a vintage rhinestone necklace that I love and don't wear often enough. I'm always on the lookout for vintage brooches and earrings to use in my artwork, but they have to be inexpensive so I don't feel guilty about cutting off the pins and gluing them to a board.
Posted by: deirdre | 30 November 2006 at 05:16
I seldom go to flea markets however you and Corey certainly are tempting me! In the first pic. I see 3 ~*infusion lamps*~ probably "Lampe Berger"...I have a few myself...they cleanse and purify the air destroying odors..check it out if you havn't one already!
You can get various scented oils for them.So you two were acting like secret agents with that concealed camera!The ribbon and box beautiful!
Posted by: naturegirl | 30 November 2006 at 04:57
I love all the printer's letters -- a bountiful blessing of B's!! much peace & love, JP
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 30 November 2006 at 02:58
Oooooooo! How much fun going to see all these cool goodies! I could spend hours looking ! Thank you so much for sharing!
Posted by: Pam Aries | 30 November 2006 at 01:47
oooh it is so much fun to go to the flea market with you !!
Are you going to sell on ebay ???
Posted by: diana | 30 November 2006 at 01:12
All of your finds are treasures, esp. all those B's. I'd love those and I'm sure they look so amazing where they now live.
Posted by: kristen | 29 November 2006 at 22:09
oh tara, your fleamarket finds are wonderful! what fun...I love perusing fleamarkets looking for antique mustache cups, I have a number of really old ones...
until next time,
sage
Posted by: sage | 29 November 2006 at 20:37
I so want those shoes. Just to look at and hold.
What great finds!
I would love to be a part of your next book read...I don't have the time for this one, alas.
Posted by: GoGo | 29 November 2006 at 20:11
Your photos came out very well although I must admit the items are even more attractive in person...I especially love the little round sewing box. Although I haven't unpacked everything yet, the breakables made it back in perfect condition!
What do I look for when I go to flea markets? Hmmm...seems the same as you do (except at Vanves, I was bound by what would fit in my extra suitcase). Oh yes, and I also seek out photo ops...especially the ones that won't end up with me being chastised!
Will post my own little treasures tomorrow so be on the lookout :-)
Posted by: susan | 29 November 2006 at 19:28
lovely treasures you found. I look for architectural details, old windows, doors, garden ornaments....really I know it when I see it...even though I don't know what I'm looking for.
Posted by: Gemma | 29 November 2006 at 16:51
Oh, I love these finds...the journal--this is amazing--I have always looked for these the (very very very rare) occasions I get out to a market. Something about the "B"s lines en masse is also quite wonderful, isn't it?
Posted by: Delia | 29 November 2006 at 16:12