Antique Signs, Rock Albums, Toys, Glassware and More Sold at What Cheer Flea Market

WHAT CHEER – The What Cheer Flea Market was held Oct. 3-6, drawing in vendors from across the state to the Keokuk County Fairgrounds. The News-Review spoke with several vendors about their collections.

Sunshine Auctions, run by Gary and Kathy Short of Ottumwa, sold 70s and 80s Rock and Roll albums and posters. “It’s just something that we love to do,” said Kathy. “We play them and listen to them and have just got too many. We’ve got to share with everybody else.”

This was the Shorts’ ninth year at the What Cheer Flea Market. Kathy stated that her favorite band is REO Speedwagon, while her husband’s is Fleetwood Mac.

Eric Taylor sold a variety of knicknacks, toys, and collectibles. He’s been going to flea markets since he was a kid. “I was a collector of all kinds of things. Just growing up, I always metal detected and collected that way. And my family’s into it,” said Taylor.

His favorite things to collect are tokens and coins, but his favorite thing to sell are toys. Recently, he found a collection of rare Masters of the Universe Collectibles and made quite a bit of money reselling them.

Kathy Handy of Fremont sold a variety of household items, most notable a collection of colored glassware. She and her husband have been collecting, buying and reselling glassware at flea markets for more than twenty years. Kathy’s favorite thing to collect is cobalt blue glassware. “It’s just fun cause you never know what you’re going to find,” said Kathy. “You meet a lot of nice people.”

Jerry Waters sold a variety of old advertising, including thermometers and signs. He’s been selling for years for extra spending money. His favorite things to sell are old gas and oil signs, and his favorite part of his collection is a Union Workman Tobacco thermometer from the 80s.

Julie Larman and her husband Ben sold a variety of signs, kitchen supplies, jewelry, tools and ammo. They’ve been coming to What Cheer for 15 years now. “It’s fun,” said Julie. You meet a lot of wonderful people. It’s kinda like camping. You get yourself friends and you just keep coming back for more.”