How to sort the treasure from the trash at Munich's flea and antique markets
It’s one of those things you either love or hate. For some, a fleamarket is a treasure-hunting paradise; for others, the thought of trawling through mountains of other folks’ junk is nothing short of a nightmare—and a dirty one at that. But whether you’re hooked on haggling, or a flea market phobic, one aspect cannot fail to captivate even the most hardened minimalists. Yes, we’ve all heard tales of people who snap up a little knick-knack costing no more than a few cents, “just because I liked it,” only to discover that it’s actually a rarity worth thousands. But there’s more skill to this game than those supposedly naive bounty hunters would have us believe. For starters, it’s crucial to get to markets early. Professional dealers swoop as soon as the gates open, and within an hour, can have cleared the place out of anything worth having. Next, it’s important to remember that the antique market, like any other, fluctuates according to supply and demand. If you know what’s in fashion and what’s selling well, you’ll have a good chance of success. If you’re up to predicting trends, so much the better. Not that anyone is saying it’s easy. But you could do worse than scouring the latest living and design magazines. “If, say, there’s a picture of an old rusty garden table on the front of some interiors magazine, it won’t be long before crowds of Grünwald blondies are out looking for a similar one,” says Munich antique dealer Roger Emery. “The media does have a big influence on the market, but you’ve got to spot it quickly. By the time most people catch on, it’s too late.” While trends for individual styles come and go fairly quickly, specific eras stay in demand slightly longer. At the moment, collectibles from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s are hot items. “Think of the sort of things IKEA would have sold 40 years ago—that’s what you should be looking out for,” says Emery. For a real moneyspinner, you’ve got to look for originality. Anything with a design number on it, signaling a limited edition, is a good bet. And if you’ve time to do a spot of homework, read up on a few designers and look out for their names. Ok, you might not stumble across an original Van Gogh, but if you’ve the name of the odd Finnish ceramic artist or Italian designer up your sleeve, you can at least look out for something that is likely to make a lot more money than a piece produced en masse in a factory. So much for what you should be looking for. What items are best avoided? Although garden accessories can be a tempting buy, bargain hunters should be aware of the pitfalls. A lot of reproduction iron and stone has come across from China, and after a few weeks outside, it can develop a thin, moss-like film. Another one to watch is glass. Unless you can spot the difference between cut and pressed glass, experts advise steering clear of it. “There’s no denying that knowledge plays a big part,” says Emery. “But it only comes with practice. Go to markets as often as you can, touch things and follow your gut instinct.” If instincts are not your strong point, Emery recommends you buy a copy of Miller’s—an annually updated price guide for collectibles and antiques. Consult it regularly and you’ll soon get an idea of whether asking prices are reasonable. Speaking of prices, half the fun of flea markets is bartering. “The dealers expect it,” says Emery. “It should be no trouble to get something down by at least 20 to 30 percent, or by as much as 50 percent if you’re lucky.” If you’ve questions about goods, don’t be afraid to ask the stallholders. In fact, if you can establish the trust of dealers, all the better. Jeko Voracek, who describes himself as the “circus director” of Munich’s Kreitmair Antique Market is of little doubt that contacts count for everything. “I know of regulars who bring cakes for their favorite dealers,” he says. “Not only are you likely to get more tips, but you also know they aren’t going to disappear and leave you with no comeback, should something turn out not to be what you thought it was.” Keen to maintain some degree of regulation among the 600 traders who travel to Kreitmair from across Europe, Voracek does encourage shoppers to approach him if they have a problem with dealers or wares. “If I think someone has been overcharged for something, I’d go with them to the dealer and get him to give them their money back,” he says. “It’s about reputation—both mine and theirs.” If you’re after a second opinion, most Munich auction houses are happy to look at items and offer a guide to their value, without expecting payment. “At the end of the day, it’s all about having a good time,” says Voracek. “If you can find something you like, at a price you consider reasonable, it’s a good buy.” And remember, you’ve got to kiss a lot of frogs before you find a prince. Munich’s Hunting Grounds: