The Golden Flea: A Story of Obsession and Collecting

by Michael Rips

Across America and around the world, people wander through flea markets to search for lost treasures. For decades, no such market was more renowned than the legendary Chelsea flea market, which sprawled over several blocks and within an old garage on the west side of Manhattan. Visitors would trawl through booths crammed with vintage dresses, rare books, ancient swords, glass eyeballs, Afghan rugs, West African fetish dolls, Old Master paintings, and much more.


In The Golden Flea, the acclaimed writer Michael Rips takes readers on a trip through this charmed world. With a beguiling style that has won praise from Joan Didion and Susan Orlean, Rips recounts his obsession with the flea and its treasures and provides a fascinating account of the business of buying and selling antiques. Along the way, he introduces us to the flea’s lovable oddball cast of vendors, pickers, and collectors, including a haberdasher who only sells to those he deems worthy; an art dealer whose obscure paintings often go for enormous sums; a troubadour who sings to attract customers; and the Prophet, who finds wisdom among all the treasures and trash.


As Rips’s passion for collecting grows and the flea’s last days loom, he undertakes a quest to prove the provenance of a mysterious painting that just might be the one.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Art, Biography Memoir, History, Biography

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 21, 2020

About the author

Michael Rips is the author of The Golden Flea, Pasquale’s Nose, and The Face of a Naked Lady. He is the executive director of the Art Students League of New York and lives in the Chelsea Hotel in New York City.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I closed this book with a big smile on my face!

4 stars.

Full review to come.

Thank you so much to W.W. Norton & Company and to Goodreads Giveaways for sending me an ARC Physical Copy of this book.

This JUST came out on April 21, 2020 and I would highly recommend it.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

It takes a village. . . .to raise us up. Not just the littles. The Bigs, too.

The Golden Flea: A Story of Obsession and Collecting is indeed a story about obsession and collecting, but it is more about a particular community, over many years. It is a love letter, to be specific, with details of all the favorite moments in the affair, with all the favorite characters - endearing main characters, quirky sidekicks, dependable supporting cast members, mysterious shades, and a few if not wicked then at least avoidable notables - and all with their own super and micro powers. Where can they be found? At the Chelsea Flea Market on the west side of Manhattan.

This book is an absolute joy to read! I enjoyed the writing, which kept me interested and curious. The end was satisfying, that once finished kept this reader thinking, googling and wondering how to check these flea markets out the next time one is in New York (or anywhere? Maybe there are more of these in other cities?). It had never crossed my 21st century mind to seek out places like this - in spite of the fact that years ago I used to frequent the drive-in swap meets of Southern California. . . .so it brought my own secret obsessions and odd collection memories hard up against my brain cells: Smells one tastes; Tastes one feels in ears and bones; Luscious visions that fill surprising parts; Sounds that break the heart while recognizing something eternal, spiritual, evocatively familiar. . . all from that big, bustling movement of individuals in a community that returns to this place day in and day out, and all for a specific purpose. . . to share their obsessions, their collections, their special tokens and objects of power. . . .uniquely separate, wholly complete, constantly changing.

4.5 stars for the inspiration resurrecting old desires and birthing new ones. . . .

A sincere thank you to Michael Rips, W.W. Norton & Company and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review.

[Jeanette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing although I think it is a fascinating subject. Someone else needs to write the book I, in particular, am looking for. Someone like Sanford (Sanford & Son) or maybe an urban garbage man or one of those pick up masters which get there first and resell on the weekends.

[Cookie M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

To really understand "The Golden Flea," the story of an almost mythical flea market which existed for years in the Chelsea region of NYC you need to have the !gene that makes you want to surround yourself with stuff. Cool stuff, even if you are the only one who truly appreciates how cool it is. To be a collector. Not a hoarder, although to a spotlessly clean obsessed person, we may look the same. We are not. Hoarders save stuff because maybe somebody might want that shoebox full of dried up acrylic paints, and they cannot bring themselves to even bring it near a trash bag.
We collectors have our passions. We can fill our houses up with 19th Century promotional doodads from Farm All Tractors, or Occupied Japan ceramic woodland creature figurines.
And flea markets and auctions are where we feed our passions.

The Chelsea Flea was held every weekend in a parking garage, and it sold everything, junk to fine art.
Collectors, decorators, pickers, tourists and all sorts of people habituated it. The vendors were characters and author Michael Rips knew them intimately.
He became a citizen of The Flea, caught up in its magic, filling his own home with treasures valuable only to himself, searching for that one item, the shining star, the priceless treasure buried in the mountains of junk in the booths of The Golden Flea.

I received this book free from W.W. Norton & Company in exchange for an honest review.

[Theresa Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an exceptional book. It really was. I enjoyed it so much. Rips has a lovely elegant, at times dated, at times modern tone that I just loved. His stories are so warm and rich and true, about the importance of the Flea, as they exist in nearly every major city in the country. His understanding of the pretentiousness of the American art scene, with its resident snobbery is so spot on and how many of these people miss things right under their noses, like a valuable Sam Francis painting that they thought was garbage. I particularly enjoyed chapters 12 and 13 and then the final three pages. Such a great book. Highly recommended.

[Kathryn in FL · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read more than 60 pages soon after its release.

This story on a fascinating topic (to me) being an antique shopper and seeker of novel things found this almost as boring as watching paint dry. I thought it was me, perhaps it was but others have similarly failed to be engaged so perhaps something could have made this a bit more engaging?

I hope others will enjoy it much more than I did.

[Malia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have loved antique stores, flea markets, garage sales, etc. for my whole life, and I'm quite surprised I never managed to go to this particular flea market during the years I lived in New York (I spent most of my time at one on the Upper West Side). So I am squarely in the demographic for this book.

There's a real tension between being the right person to write a book because you're so immersed in the topic and being the wrong person to write a book because you're too immersed in the topic. I feel this book suffered for being the latter case. I needed some details to ground this book, what year were we ever in, to start, things I would have wanted to be included were I editing this book.

There's something interesting here about collecting vs. hoarding and interest and obsession. There are also the ideas about what is value and who is the arbiter of it and what is authenticity and all of that. I don't think I had any particularly new thoughts in those arenas while reading this, even if they are interesting things to think about. And I think the author is so caught up in the objects he collected and the people he surrounded himself by that he spent too much space self mythologizing and not enough time being interesting. This is a quirk of some people I know IRL, those who think being in the company of interesting people confers interestingness to them.

I wanted this to be tighter; a book about a flea market that meanders like a flea market is kind of a stale idea to me, but I still found some patches of delight in the objects and people crowded together in the flea that kept me from putting it down.

***Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.***

[Rather.be.reading1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE flea markets, thrift stores and antique stores and this was right up my alley! I enjoyed learning about the Chelsea Flea Market in Manhattan, which I have never been to. I love all of the characters he talks about and the way Michael Rips made me feel like I was there with him and could get a clear picture of the Chelsea Flea Market. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Gina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love flea markets. I regularly visit and purchase from vintage and antique stores, but there's something about roaming a great flea market where you never know what to expect or find. I've been to numerous fleas all over the country, and the best ever is the Mountain Top Flea Market in Alabama, open every Sunday rain or shine (but not during a pandemic) at 5 am since 1973. Hands down the best. Where else can you get some of the best boiled or fried peanuts ever but know they also have a specific rule that reads "No turtles can be sold"?

So, it's with hopeful enjoyment I chose Rips' homage to his favorite flea market thinking it might mirror my own love for my favorite. I was expecting an overview and history of the Chelsea Flea Market set amidst commentary for the history and experience of all flea markets. I'm not sure where that expectation came from, a little from the blurb and other reviews. This is absolutely not that. It's an author's self-centered examination of his own hobby with little to no point to speak of, other than some limited character study of those who have booths or who shop there. I was bored senseless and struggled to finish it. There's probably some redeeming value in there somewhere, but it was lost on me.

[Shirley McElhaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Golden Flea" ~ authored by .Michel Rips, Executive Director Of The Art Students' League of NYC. Easily read it. In an afternoon; and pretty much so because it is both delightful and fascinating. At one time, the largest flea market in the world, The Chelsea Flea Market in the West side of Manhattan. Behold the treasures and step inside the vendors'' booths. Meet the some of the vendors, themselves such as Paul, Steve, and Jokkho eccentric and inspiring, to only name a few, offerings from trinkets to glass eyeballs, silver flasks, lithographs, and Old Masters art. The book is enchanting and magical with history.

[Tom Fish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review here: https://not-that-you-asked.com/2022/0...

Didn't picture my first five star read of 2022 being a man's memoir about spending decades hunting through flea markets but here we are.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

The Golden Flea is a weirdly charming and engaging story of collecting, collectors, and flea markets against the backdrop of the author's particular obsession with the now-defunct Chelsea Flea Market in Manhattan. Released 21st April 2020 by W. W. Norton & co., it's 224 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.

This is not in any way a how-to guide, there are no tips or tricks for finding hidden treasures. This is a direct and simply told story of the author's experiences with the flea market and a slice of life memoir of some of the buyers and sellers he encounters along the way. The story, I think, is indelibly American, and more specifically New York. Especially the interactions and language are indubitably New York, this story couldn't be told in this way in San Jose, CA or London, or Paris.

I'm a collector and obsessive in my (very niche) habits. I love (and restore, and use) fountain pens, embroidery samplers (especially English, 17th-18th century), and books. I understand the heartbreak and thrill of the chase and the stupendous glee of the win. This author definitely "gets it" too.

The language is rough and often perjorative, but not gratuitous. The author has some good points about mental health and potentially obsessive collecting and the meta-narrative is well wrapped inside the story of a guy who really really liked to go to the flea market and the people he encountered on his sojourns.

I found it engaging and worthwhile. I can understand readers wanting a different book being disappointed in it. Four stars for me (one of the weirdos asking innocently, "do you happen to have any old linens or embroidered pillowcases or hankies" at the crack of dawn on a Saturday).

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Nancy Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging read for collectors of all stages; also writers, artists, historians, and all who enjoy a timeless tale of human livelihoods. The society and culture - the being of the Chelsea Flea-is so vividly described that readers will feel as if they have been there themselves. The attention to detail that Michael Rips gives the almost infinite treasures is exquisite. His use of sophisticated language challenges the reader to delve deep into the meaning of both the words and the experiences he and the Chelsea Flea family encounter.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A ripping good read, full of lively characters and memorable scenes. Recommended.

[Katy Wheatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Golden Flea tells the story of how Michael Rips went from being a man who was not bothered about owning things to a man who was seduced by the allure of New York's legendary flea market in Chelsea, and who began collecting all kinds of things. Collecting became an unbreakable obsession and the only thing that delighted him more than the finds were the stories of the people he met who shared his delight in stuff. I loved this.

[Maebh Delahunty · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can you tell the difference between junk and treasure? Does it matter?

[Hannah M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating, mesmerizing glimpse into the world of the flea market and those who inhabit it, "those for whom life’s chaos is more tangible than its certainties": Jokkho, "the guardian deity of the flea"; Paul, "the central and numinous figure in a Byzantine mosaic"; Frank, "the Mayor of the Flea"; Ibrahim Diop and his brothers; and other semi-mythological figures, such as the Prophet, the Cowboy, the Dane, and the Assembly of Elegant Men. In a self-aware storyteller's tone that never treads too far into matter-of-factness, Rips chronicles his adventures and encounters almost as if he were descending into a cave of wonders, where the vendors, pickers, buyers, collectors, hoarders, and dealers are treasures themselves.

Long live the flea.

[Kendra · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick read and and quirky book about the author's many interactions with the dealers and sellers at the Chelsea Flea Market. Wandering and broad in scope, this book might appeal to readers who enjoy slice-of-life material, reading about New York and New Yorkers, and human nature. I found it a bit dull--there's quite a bit of repetition in the figures the author writes about and their habits, good, bad, or otherwise--and I, unlike the author, got tired of reading about the same jerks berating potential customers and being cliquish and elitist. I don't share the author's infatuation with the rude and prickly stereotype he celebrates in the book, and so this one is just not for me.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will have to thank my librarian friend Andrew for this recommendation. An amazing journey of intertwined stories, about the relationships between objects and people.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like flea markets, Rips will take you into the heart of a gigantic and famous market in NYC. This isn't the quaint Martha Stewart swap meet where old silverware and fine linens are scooped up with pride. The Chelsea Flea Market lines block after block in NYC and includes a garage in Manhattan. As Rips describes it, the Market is a wondrous place and hard core, with valuable paintings selling for a portion of their worth, if you just know how to find them; artifacts from around the world; vintage finery unlike any elsewhere; and sellers who makes a fine living to those just scraping by. Rips becomes addicted to the place, getting to know the vendors well and the eccentric regulars who, like him, cannot stop going there. He realizes the toll his addiction is taking: he's buying so many interesting objects that they are taking over his home and his life. And yet he returns to the flea again and again, seeking the unusual treasure and knowing he will find it, whether it's an object, a vendor, or a customer. I was in his world as he described a table in which unrelated, but interesting objects are laid out; as Rips ponders them, the seller is so compelling about their connection that Rips buys every one. This is a book that doesn't seek to be profound, but has those moments due to the fine writing and the author's ability to observe and accept the human condition.

[Jill Elizabeth]

How did a book with such an interesting premise lose me so fast?? I was highly intrigued by the concept here - my husband is an avowed treasure hunter of old stuff, so I've spent some time investigating flea markets. They are nearly always populated by a strange slate of personalities and I've often wondered about the back story behind them and their stuff. I figured this book was a great chance to peek behind the curtain, and stayed out eagerly. Unfortunately, I found the writing somewhat flat in tone and the personalities more grating than quirky. There was less emphasis on the unusual nature of the items OR people and more detail that felt gratuitous and overly descriptive - but in a way that actually stifled my interest rather than stoked it. For such a short book, this one felt like a slog and was just not for me...

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author does a fantastic job at showing the complexity of a world rarely seen or understood - a world so unique I offended questioned the veracity of his story mad the stories of his characters. But each vignette added layers to the world of the New York Flea and the struggles of individual lives.

I kept wishing for a clearer insight a to why he wrote this book - to dig in more as to why his perspective of things changed. But when I left that go I tried to examen my own relationship with things (as an addicted thrifter) and that helped.

I think this book would be lost on people without an understanding of NYC (not as a tourist destination) or who have never dug through other people’s junk looking for overlooked treasures.

[Isabella Fray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book in my favorite second-hand bookstore where the shelves are packed to bursting. This is the second book I’ve read that I found at this store concerning very specific subset of people. I’ve been to some large flea markets in New England but didn’t have much interest growing up beyond a vague wish to discover a magical object and start a quest. I still do not often visit antique stores looking, but I do love to search the ground for dropped things, or the creek behind my house for objects washed in by storms. I don’t know to whom I recommend this book, but i finished it in a sitting and was very immersed.

[Gail Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars. This book is definitely for the hunters and pickers among us. I for one love the 'potential' of a good flea market and it was interesting to see how the author, #Michael Rips could capture the quirky characters, the dank smell and the obsession of 'just one more box' that can possess the flea market attendee. #TheGoldenFlea was detailed and loaded with stories of the history of many items. But were they just stories made up or were they truly based on fact, that, is where the magic of a flea market grab you.
Some sections were a bit too long, SO much detail, that I moved into the 'I don't care arena just tell me the price'. There was one notable description that was almost an entire page long! But that is indeed how many vendors are in a flea market.
I will be writing further about The Golden Flea on my blog, because the people who filled the pages and the stories they told are worth a further look. They are Life.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Golden Flea
Author: Michael Rips
Genre: Nonfiction
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

The Golden Flea was so far outside my normal reading taste that I’m not even sure why it caught my eye—and I LOVED it! I was intrigued from the very first page, and I ended up being totally captivated. (Except the fetishes. Those were just gross.) Rips’ writing brings to life vibrant people and a colorful setting—in a completely unexpected place. The characters are quirky but fascinating, and I was sad to realize the Chelsea Flea Market and its inhabitants are a thing of the past.

(Galley courtesy of W.W. Norton & Company in exchange for an honest review.)

More reviews at Tomorrow is Another Day

[Fayette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I visit the Chelsea Flea whenever I am in NY and did, in fact, visit the weekend before I read this book. I spotted a “slave bracelet” there, a combo ring/clasp bracelet that the dealer told me came from her own collection and which she wore herself. I’m still thinking about it. The quality was questionable, and the price was high, but man…it was an interesting piece. I hope she’s there when I go back again.

Love the people, the game, and the world of flea. While reading this book I sometimes laughed out loud. Fun read.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much liked this book once I figured out it was NOT a history of Chelsea Flea Market, but more a memoir of the author's introduction to collecting and the resulting obsession with odd things from the past. The characters from the flea are wonderful as are their back stories, and I chuckled over some of the things Rips brought home -- how do you "feed" an African idol with "lady blood," anyway? And why would you want such a thing in your house? The collecting and obsessing came across quite clearly. Short interesting memoir. Glad I read it.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by a friend who loves to visit flea markets. I found it interesting but not compelling reading. I am glad to have learned a little bit about the world of flea marketing and a little bit about those who inhabit them, but I think this book might be more interesting to flea market aficionados, especially to those who were familiar with the Chelsea market, than it was to me.

[Matthew Ogborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three and a half stars for this whimsical and occasionally sad portrayal of the New York City flea market scene that the author became entranced with for decades. The characters, their eclectic backgrounds and at turns comical and moving reasons for buying, selling, collecting and hoarding combine for a book perfect to dip in and out of over coffee while ruminating about my own fascination with the thrift shops of life.