Yesterday was opening day 2009 of the Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market in New Milford, CT. I had heard so much about it from other dealers, but I never had a chance to get there myself.

My girlfriends and I trekked over from Beacon. Our first impression was that it was smaller than we had thought. We all agreed that it was no Stormville. But still, there was plenty to see and we spent the entire afternoon. Oh yeah, about the afternoon….this is an early market! Vendors start setting up about 5am and people are there with flashlights looking through their trucks. I know this from hearsay as I was in bed at 5am. We didn’t arrive until 11am when the booths looked fairly picked through. By 1pm, vendors were starting to pack up.

I was a bit shocked by some of the prices. I saw tschotckes there for $20 and up that I would be selling for $5. The fact is that vintage and antique prices have come down quite a bit due to the recession. It’s like nobody told some of these vendors. Hey, more power to them if people are still paying these prices! Personally, I think you can find better bargains at the Brooklyn Flea, but maybe I’m a bit partial.

Not everything was overpriced. There were deals to be had, especially towards the end of the day. We picked up a kick ass velvet painting of a dog for $5. The ultimate in kitsch decor! My friend bought a lovely shabby chic Victorian dresser for $50.

My best find of the day was the skeeball! I didn’t get a deal on this, although I tried my darnedest. But it was too cool to pass up. 1910 from Asbury Park. I shall try to sell it, but if I don’t get the $325 I need, it’s going to find a new life as a hall tree in my Bed Stuy brownstone. Picture some shelves, some hooks….not a bad little find.