Batman Napkins

Batman Napkins

circa 1989

purchased for $.25

Theme birthday kits were some of the cheapest, thinnest materials you could find anywhere. The party hats had those little white rubber bands held on by the single staple. The cups were so waxy my mom didn't know if she should light them or the candles on the cake. And then we come to the worst, slash best, slash worst again theme birthday party supply of all time: the tablecloth. The tablecloth included in those birthday kits was thinner than the tissue paper that came with "Don't Break The Ice".

When I was a kid, if your birthday party wasn't "themed", it wasn't cool. Whether it be Ninja Turtles, Transformers, or Thundercats, a theme party was essential. And in 1989, Batman was THE party theme of choice. The Batman movie had just come out in theaters, and it was the coolest movie that I was allowed to see up until that point in my life. I had a Batman Theme Party in October of '89, and it may go down as the best birthday party in history.

Van Halen Mirror - from Seaside Heights, NJ 1983

Van Halen Mirror

Boardwalk Prize from Seaside Heights, NJ

circa - Summer of '83

purchased for $1

I feel like the crappy prizes at the boardwalk used to be soooo much better. Personally, I would have opted for the Bon Jovi mirror, but I guess Van Halen could hang with Jon Bon. That lion jumping through the logo is badass. Oh man I can still see the bright pink fringed "Seaside Heights" shirts and cutoff jean shorts.

Invader From Space - Electronic Game

Enoch's Invader From Space

Electronic Game

Circa 1980

Purchased for $10

This game is basically a complete rip-off of Space Invaders. It's like creating a game called "Brothers Whose Names Are Mario". But it is still pretty cool, and super fun. The color screen and game sounds are top-notch...for 1980.

A Nightmare On Elm Street 2 - 3D Poster

A Nightmare On Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge

3D Poster

circa 1986

purchased for $1

At 6 years old, this may have been the first horror movie I ever saw. Holy crap. There will never be horror movies like this again, with all these crappy CG special effects nowadays. This poster is apparently pretty rare. It was made for display at video rental stores. The tagline says "THE MAN OF YOUR DREAMS IS BACK". Found it at a flea market for a buck. Just saw one sell on ebay for $90.

Big Eyed Girls - paintings by EDEN

Big Eyed Girls

artist: EDEN (first name unknown)

circa 1970's

purchased for $10

Apparently, in the 60's and 70's, there was a wave of artists (Keane, Eden, Gig, Igor) doing paintings of people and animals with big eyes. To me, Eden was the best of this group. And these prints are some of the best of his (or her) work. These are super cute.

Johnny Cash - I Walk The Line 45

Johnny Cash - "I Walk The Line" b/w "Orange Blossom Special" 

45 RPM 7" Single

© 1964/1965 Columbia Records

purchased for $1.00

There is a guy at an indoor flea market in Willingboro, NJ that has THOUSANDS of 45s. All for $1 each. Major thanks to the people who were with me that put up with me while I made sure I got through EVERY SINGLE ONE. So this guy said he had owned a record store for 40 years, and this was all unplayed stock from the store. I found FIVE of these Johnny Cash records, so I got them all. Now I'm selling a few on eBay to cover the cost of the ones that I'm going to keep! This obsession is like a record baby, round and round.

Around Christmas this year, I found a jukebox on ebay for $100! It's in perfect working order, and it was selling from the town next to me. Now I'm having fun filling it up with my favorite 45s. I will make a post dedicated to that jukebox in the near future. Happy rummaging!

Wonder Woman - Party Invitations

Wonder Woman Party Invitations

DC Comics (circa 1977)

purchased for $.25

SOLD for $34.00

I have no idea why I was looking through a basket of party invitations at one of my local thrift shops, but I was. Well it was prettttty worth it. I found this sealed pack of Wonder Woman invitations from 1977, and a pack of Masters Of The Universe as well! So I'm keeping the MOTU pack and I quickly sold the Wonder Woman set on eBay...for $34.00! Pretty silly if you ask me, but hey, I'll take it! It will fund my next batch of crap.