karllectibles

Paper Americana Show - Singerly Fire Company - Elkton, MD - 1/28/12

I will be displaying at the 25th Annual Paper Americana Show on Saturday, January 28, 2012.  The show will be held at the Singerly Fire Company, Route 279 & 213 (300 Newark Avenue), Elkton, Maryland.  There will be a $3.00 admission fee to the show.  The show hours are 10 AM to 4 PM.  There will be over 35 dealers selling books, advertising, photographs, postcards, collectibles and ephemera.   The fire hall is a beautiful venue for this show.  The food served by the ladies fire auxiliary at the show is excellent. O those pies . . .

This will be my fifth year displaying at the show.  I will be featuring postcards, numerous ephemera and paper items, books, postal history, stamps, covers, advertising, matchcovers, collectibles, etc.  Hope to see you at the show.

The Spring Flea Market Season Begins

On Wednesdays, I will be setting up at the Leesport Farmers Market in Leesport, PA.  Yesterday (3/30), I set up next to the tombstone trailer.  The morning started out on the cold side, but warmed up enough so I could take off my winter jacket.  During the summer, there are nearly 400 to 600 dealers set up at this weekly flea market.  I always have a new load for this market featuring plenty of collectibles, antiques, books, and great second-hand items (junque).

Look for my dark green Jeep.  I always try to park it facing the cow pasture in the upper or middle row.  When I arrive at the market, I walk around buying items for my business.  I start setting up my tables by 7:30.  Around 12 Noon, I start packing up.  See you at the market.

If you have never been to the Leesport Farmers Market, you can get directions by visiting their website:

http://www.leesportmarket.com/

 

 

Heritage Antique Center - Adamstown, PA - Extravaganza

Before you know it, the annual Summer version of the Adamstown, Pennsylvania Extravaganza will be upon us.  Throughout the month of June, I will be stocking my booth at the Heritage Antique Center with numerous postcards, ephemera, postal history covers, stamps, books, advertising, sportscards and unique collectibles. 

When entering the store, turn left and go into the next room.  My booth is the second one on the right.

 

The Passing Of A Friend - Rick Harris

A childhood friend of mine has passed away from cancer at the age of 56.  Richard D. Harris (Rick) of Coopersburg, Pennsylvania went home to be with the Lord on May 16, 2010.  I met Rick when my family started attending Bethel Baptist Church in Sellersville, PA back in 1967.  Rick and I were both in the 7^th grade at that time.  He went to the Pennridge school system, while I went to the schools in Quakertown. 

He was a gifted athlete.  While making a lay-up during a basketball game, Rick's hang time in the air was a beautiful thing to watch.   He was Michael Jordan before there was a Michael Jordan.  He could run like a cheetah.  He was strong and graceful.  When it came to team sports, you wanted to be on Rick’s team.   

I bet that no one who was present at a Sunday evening church service back in 1969 thought that Rick Harris was going to leave any kind of legacy to future generations. Four or five of us young men were talking during the service when Pastor Harris, Rick’s father, called us out from the pulpit and told us to meet him after the service. Trust me, we did not get a nice talk about leaving a legacy that evening after church.

Rick was a fast driver as a young man.  He purchased a Cougar from one of the guys in our youth group.  He could fix anything on an automobile back in those days before on-board computers.  He was one of the most generous people that I have ever known with his mechanical skills.  He helped me so many times with some of the junk cars that I owned in the 1980s.  He helped countless others with those God-given skills repair their automobiles. 

We “terrorized” our Sunday school teachers (Dr. Delancey, Warren Stafford, Wayne Clymer and the gentle giant Charlie Dietterich) when we were in high school.  Mr. D took us to the Collegeville Inn one night for an outing. There is not a time that I go through Harleysville and see the spot where that Rick left his meal on the floor of the church van while on the way home.  I guess he had too many frog legs.  Rick and I taught a Sunday school class together with Doug Gerhart for two years back in the mid-1980s.   Those high school boys showed us the truth of Galatians 6:7.  They were a real blessing to me.  Many are married today, raising families and leaving a legacy for their children and others.

Although Rick and I never served in the U.S. Navy, we had our “Shipmates” which was the name of our youth group .  As Nancy Rist mentioned in her Facebook post, our youth group was the main support system we had since we all went to public schools at that time.  Our leaders (Ronnie & Doris Eldridge, Nelson and Blanche Floyd, Bob and Sharon Randall) were all busy raising their own families, but took time for our group.  There were Sunday night hymn sings, Spring banquets,  Buck-Buck games, Delaware River Canoe trips, the youth bus high-jacking, bowling at Earl Bowl, Ken’s Chicken Den meals and many great memories.  These people and events kept us from so much trouble during our teenage years. 

Since I heard the news of Rick's passing, I have thought of so many Bethel Baptist people that are now part of the “Hebrews 12:1 Cloud of Witnesses” who are now cheering us on from Heaven.  My father died of cancer in 1987.  My mother died in December 2009 of ALS.  Ron Eldridge, Elsie Eldridge, Sam Warden, Marian Carter, Al Godshall, John “Mr. Tootsie Roll” Rosenberger, Warren Stafford, Norm Tamburino, Peter Olivero, Marj Green, Lester Moyer and other Bethel Baptist Church family members have become part of that cloud of witnesses.  All of these people always took a moment to ask me how I was and what I was doing.  Some gave loving course corrections.  They challenged and encouraged me to keep on going forward and to serve the Lord.  They all died “with their boots on” serving their Lord.  Now Rick has joined them and is saying to us all: “Keep going, don’t quit, serve the Lord, and serve others.  We will see you again very soon.  You will not believe what God has prepared for you beyond the final finish line.”

Rick married Betty back in 1973.  She was a Quakertown girl.  They had four children of their own and countless foster children.  My wife Darlene and I extend our prayers and thoughts to Betty, their children, Pastor and Mrs. Harris, and Rick's siblings Barbara, Al, Mel, Cindy, Becky and Cathy. 

To his two sons, Richard and Nathan, I have walked in your shoes.  My father died at the age of 55 after a long battle with cancer.  Back in 1987, I was 32 years old which is very close to what age you are at this time.  My father was my best friend.  He always had food on the table for us, clothes on our backs and a roof over our heads.  Your father would try to take my Dad on in a “muscle” contest, but since my father was a combat vet of the Korean War and also a  prisoner guard, he would usually subdue your father with some crazy hold or threaten to hit Rick with a blackjack.  Take care of your mother.  Keep close to your sisters.  Raise your children for the Lord.  Know that your Dad loved you very much.  In our last meeting at the Perkiomenville Flea Market last fall, your father told me all about what you were doing with your lives.  He was very proud of you.

Rick ran a great race by God’s grace.   He was a real blessing to my life, and I thank God for letting me call Rick Harris one of   my friends.  I will see him again.

My buddy Gov sent me this photograph that he took without my knowledge while we were visiting the Atlantic Ocean to watch the sunrise. There has never been a time that I have stood at the ocean and have come away from it feeling unhappy. The vastness of the ocean always reminds me of the vastness of God's mercy.

 

My Trip to "Sunny" Florida

I left cold Pennsylvania on January 7^th to do the flea and antique markets of sunny Florida.  On the 9^th, I set up at the Waldo Flea Market in Waldo, Florida.  Someone forgot to invite the sun.  It was cold every night and not much nicer during the day until the 14^th.  Since I was sleeping in the front seat of my Jeep Cherokee, I had the total “Freezing Florida” experience. 

 

 

It was very cold in Waldo, Florida on the 9th and 10th.  This old quilt became one of my new best friends.  Here are two photos of permanent  vendors at the Waldo Flea Market in Waldo, Florida.  The tent is simply named Redneck Country.

 
 

The weather finally warmed up by the following weekend at Mount Dora, but the damage had already been done.  People go to Florida to escape the cold.  They do not venture outside to the markets and spend money when it is cold.  Sales were terrible.  From a financial viewpoint, the trip was a failure.

Here is a photo of my set-up at Renninger's in Mount Dora. 

My friend Gov and his set-up at Mount Dora:

The trip was also a blessing to me in three major ways.

 My faith and trust in God was renewed and made stronger.  We had many long discussions about things while I sat in the driver’s seat of that Jeep.  He told me that He is still in control of everything, even when all seems to be out of control.  Psalm 46:10 became my reality: Be still, and know that I am God.

My commitment to my marriage was renewed and made stronger.  The ten days that Darlene and I were apart seemed to go on forever.  I love my wife very much and really appreciate all the things that she does for me.  It is good to be back in our home.

My family and my friends really care about me.  I saw my son Karl who lives in North Carolina on the way down to Florida and on the way back up to Pennsylvania.  My other son Ryan called me from South Korea during the trip.  My brother and two sisters called me during the trip.  My Aunt Karin from New Jersey called me to watch out for the frozen iguanas which were falling out of the trees.  My mother-in-law was praying hard for her "favorite" son-in-law.  My good friend Gov let me travel along with him while in Florida, and let me use one of his pop-up tents and tables.  My friends such as Preacher Florence, George, Dan, Jeff, Jack, Pam, Darick, TAP, Gerry, Tom, John, Charles, Jere, Steve, Clarke, Kevin, Jerry, Mike, Jim, Tim, Toni, Dawn, Joe and several others either called, made generous offers, but most important, prayed for me.  Thank you for your love, concern and prayers.

Although I did not make the money that I wanted to on this great adventure, like George Bailey in It's A Wonderful Life,  I once again realize that I am the richest man in town.

Morlatton Post Card Club Show - Lancaster, PA - 11/27 - 28, 2009

I will be setting up at the semi-annual postcard show that is sponsored by the Morlatton Post Card Club.   This two day show will be held on Friday, November 27th and Saturday, November 28th at the Farm & Home Center in Lancaster, PA.  This is a great club show with around 25 dealers in attendance.  The hours will be 10 AM to 6 PM on Friday and 10 AM to 4 PM on Saturday.  The Farm and Home Center is located at 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster, PA.  There is plenty of free parking and great food at the show.  There is a $2.00 admission fee to this show.   

I will have some great deals on postcards and ephemera at the show.  My paper and collectibles items are always a favorite with my customers.  There are maps, matchcovers, brochures, advertising, tokens, covers, philatelic items, FDC, books, etc.  My booth will be located towards the left back corner area of the show room.  Hope to see you at the show.  Karl Hellmann

Ken Sears - It was an HONOR to call you my friend

My dear friend, the lovely Ken Sears, passed from this life and entered Heaven on September 15, 2009.  My heart has been broken by this tremendous personal loss.  Ken was a friend that I could count on to be there, and I thought that we would have many more years to fellowship together.

While working as a lifeguard at the Bob Jones University indoor pool one Saturday afternoon in late 1974, I met my two Canadian friends Ken Sears and Michael Femson for the first time.  They were outside playing street hockey.  I was standing under a large window when our worlds collided.  Someone shot the street hockey puck through the window.  There was glass all over the place.  I had glass in my hair, shirt and even inside the back of my Speedo trunks (That was 35 years and 70 pounds ago - I would be arrested in 33 different states today for wearing them in public).  I had to get into the pool and carefully lower the trunks to get rid of all the glass pieces.  After I got the pool the deck swept clean, I got some clothes on and went outside to see who was responsible.  Holding the missing puck in my hand, I came across six to eight guys wearing hockey jerseys.  Ken Sears was guarding a make-shift goal and wearing his goalie pads.  He said something to the effect that the shot was deflected or wide right.  It was also the first time in my life that I heard the word eh used within a sentence.  Thus began my friendship with Ken and Mike for the next three years while attending BJU in South Carolina.

In May 1977, Ken and I went to Mebane, North Carolina to work at the Florence Memorial Baptist Church.  We drove up there in his massive station wagon that he had named The Blue Wonder.  There were numerous parts thrown in the back compartment of the car and every mile was a miracle.  On the way back to campus on Sunday afternoon, we stopped to get something to eat when I took these photographs.

 
 
 

I graduated a few weeks later, moved back to Pennsylvania and got married to my wife Darlene.  Over the next 30 years, Ken, Mike and I kept in contact with periodic phone calls, but never saw each other in person.  After working for 12 years in Tucson, Arizona as a Product Manager for Velcro USA, my wife and I decided to move back to Pennsylvania in 2007.  Our two sons were now on their own, and we did not want to live out our days in the desert.  We decided to move to Lancaster County to start our own business selling antiques and collectibles.  Ken lived just 15 miles away from our home in Denver.  We resumed our friendship face-to-face.

The above photograph was taken in November 2007 at my home.  Ken was a guest for several fine meals.  He ate anything and everything that was put in front of him.  I fondly remember him asking me for a second Blue Cheese Burger one evening on our back deck, since the first one was soooo good.  Darlene (or The Lovely Darlene as Ken called her) loved having Ken over to our house.  He always included her in our conversations and made her feel important.  He was a real gentleman.  Even our dog Sierra was taking a liking to Ken, or maybe she smelled his dog Vince's scent. 

Ken gave me a great advice and emotional support for my business.  He helped me at two different shows while I was selling my wares.  This photograph was taken on Memorial Day 2008 in Landisville, PA.  Ken talked with my customer’s non-stop that morning.  He was the consummate salesman whether selling baby furniture products to major retailers or a handful of old postcards to a collector at a flea market.  I gave Ken several collectibles over the last two years as presents.  He loved them, especially the Mark Messier or any ice hockey cards.

I saw Ken for the last time on September 4th while helping him move into a new place.  While resting for a few minutes, we talked about future plans, our children, and other issues.  Death was the last thing we were going to discuss since he was only 56 and I was 54 years old.  God saw fit to take Ken while in Las Vegas attending a trade show.  Ken was the Vice President of Juvenile Sales for Chicco USA.  He died of a sudden heart attack in his hotel room.  He is survived by his wife Cindy, sons David and Michael, his daughter Melissa, his mother, two sisters, three brothers, and friends from all around the world.

Ken Sears is now in Heaven.  He did not get there by being a good father, a fine friend, a great guy or a good man.  He went to Heaven because he was a sinner who one day realized that he was not going to Heaven because of his own sin.  While a teenager, he had trusted Jesus Christ as his Savior.   Ken was on a journey to eternity as we all are in this life.  John 3:16 tells us that God sent His Son Jesus to save us and give us eternal life.  You ran a great race by God's Grace.  Although I will never hear Ken say Brother Hellmann during this life again, I will hear that greeting within my first few minutes in Heaven. 

I love you my dear friend and am a better man for knowing you.  The HONOR was all mine. 

 

 

 

Lancaster County Postcard Show - August 15, 2009

I will be setting up at the annual postcard show that is sponsored by the Lancaster County Postcard Club.   Along with my postcard inventory, I will be selling a massive amount of ephmera, paper, postal covers and collectibles.  The show will be held on Saturday August 15, 2009 at the Farm & Home Center in Lancaster, PA.  This is a great club show with around 25 dealers in attendance.  The hours will be 9 AM to 5 PM.  The Farm and Home Center is located at 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster, PA.  The show features postcard exhibits, free parking, door prizes, home cooking, and air conditioned facilities. Admission is $2.50 per person.

The club's website: http://www.playle.com/clubs/lancaster/

The Flea Market Fairy Cometh . . . Not!

I enjoy talking with fellow flea marketers on how to run a better business.  I was having such a conversation with Steve and John this morning around 4:30 in the parking lot of Saturday's Market in Middletown, Pennsylvania.  "Boston" John made two very good observations during our discussion in the hour before the dawn of a new day.

1)  You must show up for work every day and work this business to make it a SUCCESS.

2)  The "Flea Market Fairy" is not going to come and magically buy all you stuff, so get to WORK.

I had been guilty of not showing up for work just this week.  I had to repent on the spot and go forward.

Now I had never heard of the Flea Market Fairy before this morning.  I will be on the lookout for him, her or shem.

John bought us a fine breakfast just after 5:00 at Poppy's Restaurant inside the market.  With a full belly and newly clogged veins and arteries plus a renewed resolve in my spirit to 'show up" that day for work, I walked back to my booth to set up for the market. 

The only disturbing sound I heard all morning was a shrilled "Helloooooooooooooooooooo"!, but that is another story for another day.  We caught a shoplifter named Gladys who then continued to steal right in front of her two kids.  Where is the Flea Market Fairy with their bull whip when you need them?

Boston John - Thanks for the breakfast.