Features

I-Mockery Pays A Visit To The Rose Bowl Flea Market
by: -RoG-

It's been quite a while since I've been to a good yard sale or even the Melrose Trading Post, so when I recently found out that there was a giant flea market in Pasadena that had been running every month for over 40 years, I had to check it out for myself. The Rose Bowl Flea Market definitely lives up to the many claims that you really can't experience it all in just one day. Games, toys, furniture, art, antiques, clothes, vintage collectibles and more oddities than you can shake a stick at can all be found here. With over 2500 vendors, it was easily the largest flea market I had ever seen, and I figured you guys would like to see it too. So with that in mind, here's a big collection of photos from the March 2009 Rose Bowl Flea Market.


Parking in front of a scenic mountain backdrop... definitely a nice way to start off the day.


No football taking place here today. Today something far more important is going on. The exchange of bizarro goods!


I hadn't seen a two-dollar bill in ages, and when the ticket person gave us two crisp
ones as change for our ticket payment, I knew we had come to the right place.


And so it begins...


Sadly, the remote control had nothing to do with this primate's face.
If it did, I probably would've bought it in a heartbeat.


Need to get in touch with your tribal side? They've gotcha covered.


General Arf R. McGruff?


Not content to join the lion in hunting down Barbie, T-Rex roamed off in search of tastier vittles.


I tried to lure this giant plastic E.T. statue away with Reese's Pieces candies, but it didn't work. Damnit.


Argh! If it wasn't a steep $50, this vintage Gremlins slumber tent would've been my new nightly resting space.


Some nice reproductions of old fruit box labels.


Oh yeah!


These were seriously some of the best shoes I'd ever seen and they were in perfect shape.
Unfortunately, I wear a size 12 and these were size 9. Daaaaaaaaaaaamnit!!!!


Having Glo Worm lying down next to Hulk Hogan just makes him seem like
a big ol' teddy bear instead of a psychotic wrestling superstar, doesn't it?


Whether or not these are actual Ming Dynasty Chinese fighting gloves or just some reproductions remains to be seen,
but it wouldn't surprise me if these bad boys helped inspire the idea for Freddy Krueger's infamous razor glove.


They don't make 'em like this anymore.


Say buddy, do you collect handmade vintage nails from yesteryear? Boy oh boy, have I got the flea market booth for you!


Some kind of futuristic remote-controlled speed boat that wasn't very speedy on concrete.


I don't know what he's up to, but I fucking guarantee it's no good.


Greco-Roman wrestling or male rape? Is there really a difference?


A few somewhat eerie old circus lamps.


BALLS.


The Rose Bowl Flea Market... serving all your amateur dentist needs for over 40 years!


I've yet to see a real flea market without at least a few skulls for sale.


See what I mean?


Yes indeed, you too can own this footstool that was previously owned by Charlize Theron!
Or not. It could've been previously owned by this guy's uncle. Roll the dice and take your chances, bub.

There's still more to see from
the Rose Bowl Flea Market!

Click here to continue onward to page 2!

 

Reader Comments

Forum Virgin
Mar 19th, 2009, 05:13 AM
I think that character on the tip of your tongue is called Captain Crook. He is/was part of the McDonald's cast of characters. I hope that helps. I wonder if they have mega yard sales on the west coast, if they do i'm sure you'll find one and visit it. Thanks for the laughs.
OH GOD
Mar 19th, 2009, 05:35 AM


those aren't intellivision games those are atari 2600 games unless the intellivision games are on the bottom, i couldn't tell what the bottom ones were
Using Ninjitsu of Fushin
Mar 19th, 2009, 06:39 AM
some months ago i was looking through some of my old toys in my mum and dads loft and i found a metal gorilla, i knew it was from some tv show but i couldnt rememebr where. thank you for reminding me all about the bionic six my mum will be happy it has a name F.L.U.F.F.I.
Last of the Time Lords
Mar 19th, 2009, 08:05 AM
This place is awesome! I must have spotted a hundred things I want among those pictures. If I ever get out to California I going there with $1000 and a large wheelbarrow.
drifting in the void
Mar 19th, 2009, 08:06 AM
Congrats for the lamp. Actually looks REALLY stylish
WHAT'S THIS?!
Mar 19th, 2009, 10:34 AM
So there were 2 Evil Knievel lunch boxes there at least (from the pictures you showed us anyway) I thought those things were supposed to be rare now?
ion is good
Mar 19th, 2009, 01:38 PM
in the uk we have carboot sales but no hiter stand ps cool jason lamp
is hopped up on goofballs
Mar 19th, 2009, 01:42 PM
Wow I used to have that Super Powers Batmobile...wonder where that got too...

Also; I want that metal Silver Surfer sign, now!
Pickled Patriarch
Mar 19th, 2009, 02:16 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by hisholiness View Post
I think that character on the tip of your tongue is called Captain Crook. He is/was part of the McDonald's cast of characters. I hope that helps. I wonder if they have mega yard sales on the west coast, if they do i'm sure you'll find one and visit it. Thanks for the laughs.
Captain Crook! That's it... thanks for clearing that one up for me, it was driving me crazy haha. And yeah, I haven't seen any mega yard sales out here yet, but if I catch word of 'em, you know I'll be going. Honestly though, this gargantuan flea market was way better than those mega yard sales could ever hope to be, so I'll keep going to it on a monthly basis most likely.

Quote:
Originally Posted by executioneer View Post
those aren't intellivision games those are atari 2600 games unless the intellivision games are on the bottom
Yeah, I looked through 'em all and they were almost all Intellivision games in that pile. I would've bought some, but I already have loose copies of those ones and I bought a boxed copy of "Truckin'" not too long ago. Can't go wrong with a title like Truckin'. That just screams *action-packed!*

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pentegarn View Post
So there were 2 Evil Knievel lunch boxes there at least (from the pictures you showed us anyway) I thought those things were supposed to be rare now?
Beats me... I'm not up to speed on what lunchboxes are extremely rare, but I'd honestly be surprised if Evil Knievel ones were since he was so popular back in the day. Every kid had an Evil Knievel motorcycle stunt toy and probably the lunchbox to go along with it.
Forum Virgin
Mar 19th, 2009, 02:42 PM
I'm going to have to hit one of the flea markets around here now. Never know what you'll find
Member
Mar 19th, 2009, 03:41 PM
I'll stick with a Tiki God mask.
☆☆☆☆☆
Mar 19th, 2009, 04:34 PM
I loved the little people airport set. It was my favorite to chew on.
Esq.
Mar 19th, 2009, 05:36 PM
thanks for all the pics Rog it was pretty entertaining to see all the old toys and lunchboxes etc.
Forum Virgin
Mar 19th, 2009, 05:39 PM
The Rose Bowl is awesome and huge, but you might also want to try the flea market at the Pasadena City College which is the first Sunday of the month. A lot of the same vendors go to both, but the PCC one is FREE! So, if you want to save 8 smackers per person and forgo the two dollar bills, I'd go there instead. If you're really hooked, the third Sunday of the month you can find more great goodies at the Long Beach Veterans Memorial Stadium. That one is 5 bucks. Happy fleas!
Cat Scratch Fever!
Mar 19th, 2009, 07:17 PM
That one painting you saw with the nude woman and the centaur looks to be work done by Boris Vajello. I have a calendar that has his work on display. He does a lot of fantasy art like that. I dont care how much that one painting was, I'd still get it.
A person.
Mar 19th, 2009, 07:53 PM
Man, some day I need to hit up a flea market. I saw so much stuff in these pictures that I would have loved to get my hands on.
Forum Virgin
Mar 19th, 2009, 08:34 PM
Judging from the ominous red glow of that lamp, I think you might just get some good ol' fashion mutation from that lamp-
Faster than a computer, deadlier than a lazer, its Pickleman!!!!
awesome.
Amicable Herculean
Mar 19th, 2009, 08:56 PM
I had an orgasm from seeing all that Batman merchandise.
the axe and the smasher
Mar 19th, 2009, 11:09 PM
That Trypticon looked like it was in pretty decent shape. Not to mention the Friday the 13th lamp makes me jealous.
filthiest soap dish
Mar 19th, 2009, 11:45 PM
I really want that lamp RoG. I will give you $200, PLEASE I MUST HAVE IT NO LYING PLEEEEEAASSSEEEEE
Basement Monkey
Mar 19th, 2009, 11:49 PM
Congrats on your find, I always love the feeling you get when you discover something rare like that.
The Magnificent Bastard
Mar 20th, 2009, 12:32 AM
I live a couple houses away fr9om an antique store that sells all kinds of stuff like that.

They even have Pillsbury Doughboys, and the Charlie's Angels board game for sale there.
Forum Virgin
Mar 20th, 2009, 01:14 AM
Such an excellent feature. Thanks Rog!
Even if the lamp doesn't look like any movie mask, it's definitely looking good.
Forum Virgin
Mar 20th, 2009, 01:52 AM
I just noticed something. Those Panther Tables are the same as that Panther statue from the Melrose Trading Post on page 1. Except at Melrose they didn't have any glass tops. Also every Flea Market I have been too has had Madballs almost every where I nearly have a complete collection and am only missing a few of the "Bad guys" from the carton (yet they were good in the comic)
grants but one wish
Mar 20th, 2009, 02:07 AM
page 1, pic 12, the grinning face of MJ over the kool aid shoes is mighty worrying... are these shoes just a lure for MJ's sick practises?
Forum Virgin
Mar 20th, 2009, 02:25 AM
Oh. Yeah I forgot. That Monkey head does come with a remote control. I used to sell them at the now defunct Sharper Image store in the local mall. They were fantasticly over priced and you could set them up to be motion activated for several emotional responses (anger, happy, sad, excited...etc).
Member
Mar 20th, 2009, 02:37 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by MeowMixMaster View Post
That one painting you saw with the nude woman and the centaur looks to be work done by Boris Vajello. I have a calendar that has his work on display. He does a lot of fantasy art like that. I dont care how much that one painting was, I'd still get it.
It *looks* like Boris, but it's not. (Fan of his myself.) True, the subject matter is the same, but the style is totally different. Boris' art has a lot more of a smoother quality to it. This one has more of a Frazetta style to it, though I don't think it's him either.

Grats on the lamp, too, Rog! I *love* finding treasures like that when you least expect it. And too true about seeing the action figures in the cases. Those are the type of people you know are just going to whip out the price guide when you ask them how much, heh.
Simpson's Trivia King
Mar 20th, 2009, 04:09 AM
this is awesome dude. I use to live only twenty minutes away from the rosebowl so it's really nice to see a familiar sight.
lurking on the walls
Mar 20th, 2009, 10:31 AM
awsome article RoG!
Check out Newfoundland some time, i'd gladly bring you around here, and there's a flea market here every sunday in a large mall where you can find anything
Forum Virgin
Mar 20th, 2009, 05:28 PM
When I lived in CA, we went to flea markets all the time.

I haven't been to one in over 10 years....
Ultimate Buzzkill
Mar 20th, 2009, 06:24 PM
Oh man, I remember playing with so many of those toys so long ago...and yes, I had the airport too! Many of which I'd forgotten about, such as battle beasts, but I can now vividly recall the tactile sensation of holding my thumb over the heat-sensitive decal to reveal each's elemental affiliation.
It's understandable how those Intellivision boxes were confused with Atari 2600; they had the same games and boxes; I had both of those games in the picture on my 2600. I WANT THOSE PANTHER TABLES!
Also, that creature bust you claim looks familiar, looks an awful lot like a Sleestack from the Kroft Bros "Land of the Lost."
The face of trapped wind.
Mar 20th, 2009, 08:00 PM
wow. that was all out nifty. so many awesome toys and a bunch of random scattered other junk which I would list but I dont feel up to it. it just seems like self-horn tootery, which isnt worth it for a ghostbusters lunchbox and an unpackaged ultimate warrior figure. on the flipside of all that, the jason lamp looks awesome as all hell.
Big In Japan
Mar 20th, 2009, 08:19 PM
Gremlins slumber tent?! Sweeet!
pickled
Mar 20th, 2009, 08:52 PM
Oh man, look at that lamp. You always find the coolest things, Rog.
Kat Kat is offline
Breathes Comics
Mar 20th, 2009, 09:37 PM
Where are you planning to put that lamp, Rog?

Because if I were you I would put it by my bed so I could fall asleep to the soothing demonic red serial killer light it povides.
Forum Virgin
Mar 20th, 2009, 09:46 PM
Hey -Rog- Think you will make it to Seattle for North America's biggest video game convention in September? It would make for a great I-mockery article. Lots of cool shit, and tons of dorks being... dorky.
Forum Virgin
Mar 21st, 2009, 12:01 AM

Looks kind of like Pumpkinhead
Letch
Mar 21st, 2009, 12:13 AM
Rog, i have that monkey head and that is so totally the controller for it. if it isnt it looks exactly like it.
Pickled Patriarch
Mar 21st, 2009, 01:58 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by BABALITY PANCAKES View Post
I really want that lamp RoG. I will give you $200, PLEASE I MUST HAVE IT NO LYING PLEEEEEAASSSEEEEE
Heheh, sorry man, I've been looking for one of those for years. Check your local flea markets and yard sales, you never know what you'll find. If all else fails, there's always eBay.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeyJoJoJr View Post
Congrats on your find, I always love the feeling you get when you discover something rare like that.
Thanks man... I go to so many of these kind o' things, but it's only once in a blue moon that I find something that makes my jaw drop upon seeing it. It's definitely a good feeling when you find things like that... makes the trip all worthwhile.

Quote:
Originally Posted by DrewP View Post
I just noticed something. Those Panther Tables are the same as that Panther statue from the Melrose Trading Post on page 1. Except at Melrose they didn't have any glass tops. Also every Flea Market I have been too has had Madballs almost every where I nearly have a complete collection and am only missing a few of the "Bad guys" from the carton (yet they were good in the comic)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Copper View Post
And too true about seeing the action figures in the cases. Those are the type of people you know are just goingto whip out the price guide when you ask them how much, heh.
Yeah, I can't stand those guys. "Well this figure is graded 75 blahblahblah by the AFA!" Anybody who has their toys "graded" is into collecting them for all the wrong reasons, so you have two reasons not to buy from them: 1) they're overpriced and 2) you shouldn't support them financially out of principle.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bavles View Post
this is awesome dude. I use to live only twenty minutes away from the rosebowl so it's really nice to see a familiar sight.
You ever been to the Rose Bowl Flea Market though? If not, you definitely should next month (Sunday, April 12th) since you live so close. I'll be going again I'm sure.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Marthaeus Autolykos View Post
Oh man, I remember playing with so many of those toys so long ago...and yes, I had the airport too! Many of which I'd forgotten about, such as battle beasts, but I can now vividly recall the tactile sensation of holding my thumb over the heat-sensitive decal to reveal each's elemental affiliation.
It's understandable how those Intellivision boxes were confused with Atari 2600; they had the same games and boxes; I had both of those games in the picture on my 2600. I WANT THOSE PANTHER TABLES!
Also, that creature bust you claim looks familiar, looks an awful lot like a Sleestack from the Kroft Bros "Land of the Lost."
Yeah Battle Beasts were amazingly fun... until those chest decals fell off. I read that they later released special super battle beasts who could defeat all three of the elements. Never saw those when I was a kid though. I'm guessing their element was "gun". As for the boxes, as I told executioneer, there actually were a bunch of Intellivision boxes in that pile (believe me I looked through 'em) but I guess they're not visibile in the one photo I took, oh well.)

Interesting about Sleestack though, I don't think the head shape is quite the same as the Sleestack I know. Sleestack rules.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kat View Post
Where are you planning to put that lamp, Rog? Because if I were you I would put it by my bed so I could fall asleep to the soothing demonic red serial killer light it provides.
It's like you read my mind.

Quote:
Originally Posted by KillerMcGee View Post
Hey -Rog- Think you will make it to Seattle for North America's biggest video game convention in September? It would make for a great I-mockery article. Lots of cool shit, and tons of dorks being... dorky.
PAX? I definitely plan on coming sometime, but it's hard because it's so close after Comic-Con (which I already spend most of my money at) and it's right when Halloween season starts here on I-Mockery, which is my favorite time o' year. I'm sure I'll make it there, it's just hard to say when it'll happen.

Quote:
Originally Posted by cainecollin View Post
Looks kind of like Pumpkinhead
Good call, it actually does resemble Pumpkinhead quite a bit. Maybe it was some art student's attempt at recreating Pumpkinhead, sans the menacing teeth.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Maxwell Demon View Post
Rog, i have that monkey head and that is so totally the controller for it. if it isnt it looks exactly like it.
Are you serious?? Damnit, the vendor told me it didn't go with the monkey head. Maybe he misunderstood my question. Thanks for letting me know either way.
Member
Mar 21st, 2009, 04:57 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mockery View Post
Are you serious?? Damnit, the vendor told me it didn't go with the monkey head. Maybe he misunderstood my question. Thanks for letting me know either way.
Now you have a goal for your next visit!
Member
Mar 21st, 2009, 09:10 AM
It's kinda sad that the first thing I noticed in the giant plastic ET picture was that they were selling the one Mary Kate and Ashley Barbie I didn't have when I was a kid. Damn it!

On a side note....SWORDS! ^_____^

...and why is Superman carrying Richard Pryor on that one book?

I saw that Adam-12 lunchbox at the thrift store once.

ARE YOU SERIOUS!? A SONIC POPSICLE!?

Okay, done spazzing.
Member
Mar 21st, 2009, 01:22 PM
So was the lamp your only purchase there RoG? If not, It'd be kinda cool if ya posted a picture of all the other items that you deemed worthy of your dollars.
Amicable Herculean
Mar 21st, 2009, 07:07 PM
Quote:
why is Superman carrying Richard Pryor on that one book?
That was from the third Superman movie, where Pryor played a guy who teams up with a mad scientist to create an evil Superman.
dead end
Mar 22nd, 2009, 12:43 AM
i'm heman i'm strong as can be
and i brush my teeth with regularity
once in the morning and once at bedtime
and after each meal so my teeth will shine
you'll remember this saying if you rehearse
and you'll be like the masters of the universe
Forum Virgin
Mar 22nd, 2009, 11:45 AM
"At first, I thought I found a gem in the form of an autographed Tick figure for 10 bux. Upon closer inspection,
however, I realized it was just a bunch of family members who wrote "Happy Birthday" all over the box." - that just made my day - I am still laughing! Great flea market - I would love to visit it - but since I cannot, these pictures will have to do!
Forum Virgin
Mar 22nd, 2009, 12:08 PM
"If you're anywhere even remotely near Pasadena, I can't recommend checking out the Rose Bowl Flea Market enough."

Oh, believe me I would. However, 3400 miles from Pasadena is not "remotely near" enough for me. Even the closest flea markets of a scale nearing this are at least a day away from here.

Also, right next to the wrestlin' Smokey, there was something which looked oddly like that Inspector Gadget figure I remember wanting as a kid. That brought back some memories.
Member
Mar 22nd, 2009, 11:51 PM
Never realized how much Jim Carrey looks like Max Headroom.
Forum Virgin
Mar 23rd, 2009, 05:08 AM
"Never realized how much Jim Carrey looks like Max Headroom."

Yeah, I noticed that, too, thought it was another Headroom pin till I recognized the Riddler outfit.

I'd love to go to a sale like this, were the prices pretty reasonable for the used MOTU figures? Saw quite a few there I was never able to pick up growing up (Ram Man, Hordak, Trap Jaw). Those masks looked great, too, and I'd love that Hook ad just to torment a friend of mine at work who refuses to see the movie cuz she insists "Peter Pan never grew up!" Also, now I gotta see if I can locate one of those lamps.
Member
Mar 23rd, 2009, 05:30 PM
Man, I'm jealous of your trip ROG. I went to this same market once in 2002 or so, and every place was just selling a mountain of old clothing (and a few food vendors). The only good thing I bought, and it was probably the only non-clothing, was an old McDonalds Grimace cup.
Look at how the selection has changed! From Grimace cup to Jason lamp!
Forum Virgin
Mar 24th, 2009, 02:23 PM
dude! so many thing i would have bought there! that place looks like a tacky heaven!
Pickled Patriarch
Mar 24th, 2009, 02:41 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Durin413 View Post
So was the lamp your only purchase there RoG? If not, It'd be kinda cool if ya posted a picture of all the other items that you deemed worthy of your dollars.
Yeah it was the only thing I purchased. Normally I would've bought a ton of stuff, but I'm running out of space at my current place and have a lot o' things stored away in boxes. So until I get some more space, I'm trying to exercise restraint by only purchasing the things I reeeeally wanna get... like the lamp.

Quote:
Originally Posted by TuxKamen View Post
I'd love to go to a sale like this, were the prices pretty reasonable for the used MOTU figures? Saw quite a few there I was never able to pick up growing up (Ram Man, Hordak, Trap Jaw).
Yep, they were all reasonably priced between 10 and 20 bux as I recall. They were loose figures for the most part, but they were complete with all their weapons & armor and sometimes even their mini-comics - which definitely isn't the norm when buying figures out of the box at places like this. Was nice to see a vendor who actually kept all those things together. I've seen a ton of Trap Jaw figures where his arm weapons were missing. What fun is that?
Lady-Geek
Mar 25th, 2009, 12:19 PM
i'm SO GLAD you finally showed me some pictures of old things and old jars! that really validates me... i'm starting to tear up a bit... especially the brown bottles and the acupuncture dummy, which i want!
A little slice of wisdom
Mar 25th, 2009, 02:04 PM
OMG! I'VE GOT THAT BORG LUNCHBOX! I didn't know that they had made a Klingon one as well.
aint nobody
Mar 25th, 2009, 08:53 PM
oh holy hells bells so much shit i'd love to have
Who? Me?
Mar 25th, 2009, 11:47 PM
"Some kind of futuristic remote-controlled speed boat that wasn't very speedy on concrete."

I actually had that when I was younger. Some Tyco R/C vehicle that was able to go on land, water, and television, all without any scene transitions. Unfortunately, in my naive mind, I simply HAD to get it, only to learn that it takes five hours of charging to use it for 20 minutes, it really sucks in the water, and the concrete just really does a number on its...wheels? What do you call those things anyway? Corkscrews?
Smell my finger
Mar 26th, 2009, 02:54 PM
yea, that definitely is the controller for the monkey head. my brother had one, it was great for freaking out little kids...and sometimes, late at night, it used to whisper things to me about bird people and time traveling.
Member
Mar 28th, 2009, 11:58 PM
http://www.i-mockery.com/minimocks/r...t/P1220695.jpg
Would you call me a dork if I said this picture reminds me of Hank Hanegraaff?
Emu Emu is offline
Level 29 ♂
Mar 29th, 2009, 12:51 PM
I'm sure there's a legitimate reason to own a room's worth of Nazi memorabilia, but I've never met anybody who did who wasn't a giant creepo.
The Glum Cunt
May 12th, 2009, 05:47 AM
Space friend was one of my favorites.
Insane Writer
Jun 3rd, 2009, 12:03 AM
That creature cast did look vaguely familiar. I'd almost say it reminded me of Alien (the shape of the head) or the zombies from "I Am Legend" (the clay skin). Hmm...
was never good
Jun 6th, 2009, 06:18 AM
I think every flea market has the bizarre nazi fanatic. I never see anyone buy anything from them, so they must be there to fulfill some sort of national quota.
Member
Jun 9th, 2009, 09:13 PM
ROG could you score me some Max Headroom buttons? Also did have any Ghostbusters related stuff?
I hate this hacker crap!
Jun 22nd, 2009, 08:19 PM
Flea Markets contain both comedy gold and actual gold. I need to check if mine has some cool stuff.
Forum Virgin
Sep 12th, 2009, 10:37 PM
Nudie and his mandolin - Nudie suits were/are the apex in country music stage wear. Nudie created those rhinestone masterpiece jackets and sometimes pants that guys like Porter Wagoner and Little Jimmy Dickens wore on stage at the Opry. Elvis' jumpsuits? Nudie did 'em. Even retro cool guys like Dwight Yoakam and Brad Paisley wear them still. Nudie Cohn is a legend.
Forum Virgin
Apr 20th, 2010, 06:56 PM
I had that airport set! That thing was badass.
aint nobody
Apr 4th, 2011, 12:20 AM
didn't even notice the Nightslasher knife til now

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