The Rheinaue Park German Flea Market

Hansmartin Hertlein, a friend since my undergraduate days (1959-1963) at Lehigh University, celebrated his seventieth birthday on August 22.  Linda and I were invited to his party.  Since Hansmartin would be in his native Germany at the time of his birthday, it was an easy decision.  Any excuse to travel to Germany is welcome.

Hansmartin maintains a home in Lohmar, about a half-hour westward drive from Bonn.  This year August 22, a Sunday, fell on the third weekend in August.  An alarm bell went off in my head.  Five years ago I traveled to Germany in late August.  During my visit, I attended the great flea market held along the Rhine River south of Bonn.

I crossed my fingers, e-mailed Hansmartin, and asked if by chance the flea market was scheduled for Saturday, August 21.  A quick response indicated that it was.  I was in seventh heaven.  I also breathed a sigh of relief that the flea market and Hansmartin’s birthday dates did not conflict.

Every German within four hours driving distance appears to know about the great flea market in the Rheinaue Park.  This is a good thing.  I was unable to find any advertising for the market.  Trust me, I looked.

Prior to my visit, I thought the market was an annual event, i.e., occurring once a year in August.  Hansmartin informed me that it is held the third Saturday of the month beginning in April and ending in October.

During my visit to Germany, I also planned to visit the Rheinisches Freilichtmuseum (Rhineland Open Air Museum) in Kommern.  In attempting to contact the museum, I called Hansmartin and asked if he could obtain the telephone number for me.  My call corresponded with a visit to his home by Anja, Hansmartin’s daughter.  Hansmartin had the call on his speaker phone.  When Anja heard my request, she responded, “why don’t you simply check it out on the Internet?”  Duh!  I still am one of those old-fashioned types who prefer to look up phone numbers and addresses in telephone books or call someone who can help.

I mention this because when I wrote the previous column providing the dates of the Rheinaue Park flea market, I initially guessed May to October, forgetting to ask my German friends for the exact dates.  Once again, the alarm bell went off – DO AN INTERNET SEARCH.  I saved the column, connected to the Internet, did a Google search of “Rheinaue +market” and in a matter of seconds reached the Günnewig Hotel Bristol’s website that had a calendar of events.  The listings included:

“Big Flea Market in Rheinaue Park / On the 17th April, 15th May, 19th June, 17th July, 21st August, 18th September and 16th October 2004 / This flea market, which sells only second hand goods, is one of the biggest in Germany.  The collection of kitsch and art stretches for about 4 km.”

Since my initial visit, I always have referred to the flea market as the “great flea market in Bonn.”  Hence, when I headed off to the flea market from Lohmar early Saturday morning, August 21, I headed for Bonn.  Big mistake!  The flea market is not in Bonn.  The Rheinaue Park is located on the east bank of the Rhine north of Bad Godesberg.

After crossing the Rhine into Bonn and not seeing the flea market, I began following the Rhine River north.  I assumed that I eventually would see signs directing me to the flea market.  Guess again!  The only signs I saw were those for Rheinaue Park.

If I did not know better, I would assume that the Germans do not want outsiders to know about the Rheinaue Park flea market.  It is one of the best-kept secrets, and it occurs seven times a year.  I suspect the flea market is now so established that its promoters see no need for advertising.  I understand.  However, they could post a few directional signs for first time and occasional attendees.

I did remember from my visit five years earlier that parking was at a premium.  If you cross the Rhine using the bridge into Bad Godesberg, exit immediately and park in the first space you find.  Otherwise, travel north along the highway paralleling the Rhine until you find a major side street and turn left.  The flea market is four kilometers long, approximately two and one-quarter miles.  Again, grab the first parking space you see.  If you arrive late, expect a ten to fifteen minute walk to reach the park.

Linda and I arrived around 9:30 AM.  The market opened at 8:00 PM.  I drove and followed several cars up a side street.  I parked with half the car on the sidewalk and half on the street.  Since everyone else was doing it, I figured “why not?”  It was a good spot.  The walk to the flea market took a little over ten minutes.

Based on previous visits to German markets, I was aware that there was a distinct difference between markets.  I divide them into four groups: (1) markets with primarily recyclable items ranging in age from recently discontinued goods to items from the 1980s, equivalent to an American garage sale; (2) markets with a combination of recyclable items and with items dating back to the late 1940s; (3) antiques and collectibles markets; and (4) small (thirty to fifty dealer) outdoor/indoor antiques shows with most items dating prior to 1940.

The Rheinaue Park flea market falls into the second of these four classifications.  It is possible to find pre-1940 material, but one has to hunt it.  When one does find it, the seller generally has a good understanding of the standard secondary market value.

Bargains are found two ways: (a) buying recent items at the beginning of their collecting cycle and (b) buying European items that are collected in America at a fraction of the cost charged by American dealers.  Buying is easy because all transactions are in Euros.  A year ago that meant a one to one exchange.  Today, the quickest conversion method is to think of each Euro as $1.20.

Rinker on Collectibles readers know that I am fascinated by European industrial design.  Many European electrical appliances and other functional household products have extremely pleasing forms.  I could easily have filled up a suitcase with several dozen examples.  Since Linda and I traveled light for this trip, I resisted the temptation.

I have been quietly collecting fondue pots.  I love the form.  If I saw one at the Rheinaue Park flea market, I saw dozens, many of which I did not have in my collection.  Alas, fondue pots also are bulky.  Once again, I resisted the temptation to buy.

Forget fondue pots.  How about fondue plates?  I do not know why I never saw the variety and variations in these before.  At one booth, I had six in my hand and was ready to buy them when the “how are you going to get these home safely” alarm bell rang.  I put them down and walked away.

The fact that my hands already were carrying several bags was the primary reason for my walking away from the high quality designed household products, fondue pots, and fondue plates.  While taping segments for Collector Inspector, my television show on Saturdays at 2:00 PM ET and PT on Home & Garden Television (HGTV), at the Brimfield flea markets this past May, I visited the booth of Modhaus (see www.modhaus.com).  There Linda, who had come along to offer encouragement and support, and I discovered European Retro (1950s-1970s) ceramics.  We fell in love with it.  It was a perfect fit for the Retro living room included in a classroom renovation at our home in Vera Cruz.  We hoped to find additional pieces at the Rheinaue Park flea market, and we did.

The Rheinaue Park flea market is held outdoors.  When Linda and I left Lohmar, the sky was cloudy and gray.  Rain was predicted.  I had to leave the flea market no later than 12:30 PM in order to return to Lohmar to do my weekly Saturday morning radio show, “Whatcha Got,” on WSAU in Wausau.  Our timing could not have been better.  As Linda and I approached our car, we felt drops.  A quick run resulted in our being inside the car and driving down the highway when the rain struck.

As we drove over the Bad Godesberg Rhine River bridge, I took a quick and final glance at the flea market area.  Dealers were scrambling.  Most were fighting a losing battle.  As I drove off, I realized once again why I chose to sell information about antiques and collectibles and not the actual objects themselves.  Yet, I admire the dealers who stick it out through the good and bad times.  Without them, I would have no information to sell or, even worse, no goodies to add to my shelves.

Rinker Enterprises and Harry L. Rinker are on the Internet.  Check out www.harryrinker.com.

Watch Harry as the COLLECTOR INSPECTOR on weekdays at 11:30 AM ET/PT on Home & Garden Television (HGTV).  Check your local TV schedule for the exact time in other time zones.
 

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