Benjamen Purvis

Just scored this 1940s Buck Rogers gun for a small fraction of what they go for on eBay. #fleamarketfind

A photo posted by Benjamen Purvis (@benjamenpurvis) on Jun 1, 2014 at 7:43am PDT

Today was one of my best days yet at the flea markets here in PA. I was lucky to find this 1940s Buck Rogers pistol at a fraction of the price they go for on eBay.

I started an instant collection with some 1930s flashlights:

Instant collection: I went home with five of these 1930s – '40s Winchester flashlights, all from the same estate. #fleamarketfind

A photo posted by Benjamen Purvis (@benjamenpurvis) on Jun 1, 2014 at 1:45pm PDT

At first I just bought the one on the far left, but I soon doubled back to the vendor and purchased five others. (I forgot to include one of them in the above photo.) They all came from the same estate. I singled out the one on the far left because it looks just like a light saber:

Not a light saber. This is a 1930s Winchester (the gun company) flashlight. #fleamarketfind

A photo posted by Benjamen Purvis (@benjamenpurvis) on Jun 1, 2014 at 6:58am PDT

Lastly, I scored this 1977 Star Wars lunchbox, with Thermos. The vendor was packing up his table when I spotted it, and accepted my offer of half his asking price.

1977 Star Wars lunchbox and Thermos. Dealer was packing up for the day and accepted my offer of half his marked price. #fleamarketfind

A photo posted by Benjamen Purvis (@benjamenpurvis) on Jun 1, 2014 at 8:16am PDT

I’ll be smiling about this post for awhile.

Wow. Early Indian motorcycle. It's a breathtaking sight.

A photo posted by Benjamen Purvis (@benjamenpurvis) on May 25, 2014 at 7:14am PDT

Spotted this old motorcycle in Adamstown (“Antiques Capital, USA”) this morning. A breathtaking sight.

Check out this 17″ tall, 4-pound milk chocolate King Kong I saw in the window of Li-Lac Chocolates in NYC today. (They wouldn’t allow me to take a photo of it inside, even though I bought something.)

River flooding across the street from our house after yesterday’s downpour.

Earlier today I took a lunchtime excursion to the Renninger’s Antique Extravaganza in Kutztown, PA. Just when I thought I’d be leaving empty-handed, I laid eyes on this stunning sign-painted shoeshine box from early 1900s London. One side has an advertisement for a “drinking chocolate,” but this is the side I’ll always have facing out.