American Pickers

[packs]

Not sure if you guys also watch the show Auction Kings but they had a Ty Cobb tin on once that went for I think 5K.

[billyb]

I believe one of their episodes, baseball cards was quickly mentioned with other items, but they did not show them digging up the cards.

Lance,
Do you ever visit their store in Nashville??? If so, did they have any baseball memorbilia??

[thecatspajamas]

Originally Posted by billyb

Lance,
Do you ever visit their store in Nashville??? If so, did they have any baseball memorbilia??

I have not. I know about where it is, but since I no longer work downtown, don't get over that way very often, and am on other (wife-appointed) missions when I do happen to be in the area. I probably should have dropped by when they had all those military team uniforms, but who knows how long had passed from when they picked those up to when the show aired. It is pretty neat seeing some of the local dealers on there from time to time giving appraisals though, including the owner of the comic shop (The Great Escape) that I frequented for years.

[aelefson]

Hi-
I have been to their store in Nashville, but I was very disappointed in their offerings. They had very little actual antiques. Most of what they had was show merchandise (similar to Pawn Stars). They had one of the WWII baseball uniforms priced at 1200.00 with holes. That was the only sports item.
That leads me to my largest issue with the show. I feel they are dishonest about their expected retail price on many of these items. If you watch the baseball uniform episode, they bought the whole box for 200.00 (I think) and they said most of them were ratty. I do not remember if they said what they anticipated selling them for, but it definitely was not 1200.00 for one (in rough shape).
I have seen other items, especially folk art that would sell for much higher prices than what they quote, although that could be a factor of location (Iowa pricing versus Northeast pricing).
I have also been surprised the other way as a boy scout lot sold for much more than it would have to a scout collector in another episode. In that specific case I think they were targeting a different market and might very well get their price (they paid 700-800 for a 1937 Jamboree grouping that did not have the more valuable patches that collectors pay well for).
All that being said, I do like the show as it focuses more on antiques than most other programs.

Alan Elefson

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by aelefson

Hi-
I have been to their store in Nashville, but I was very disappointed in their offerings. They had very little actual antiques. Most of what they had was show merchandise (similar to Pawn Stars). They had one of the WWII baseball uniforms priced at 1200.00 with holes. That was the only sports item.
That leads me to my largest issue with the show. I feel they are dishonest about their expected retail price on many of these items. If you watch the baseball uniform episode, they bought the whole box for 200.00 (I think) and they said most of them were ratty. I do not remember if they said what they anticipated selling them for, but it definitely was not 1200.00 for one (in rough shape).
I have seen other items, especially folk art that would sell for much higher prices than what they quote, although that could be a factor of location (Iowa pricing versus Northeast pricing).
I have also been surprised the other way as a boy scout lot sold for much more than it would have to a scout collector in another episode. In that specific case I think they were targeting a different market and might very well get their price (they paid 700-800 for a 1937 Jamboree grouping that did not have the more valuable patches that collectors pay well for).
All that being said, I do like the show as it focuses more on antiques than most other programs.

Alan Elefson

It is better than the alternative though. I get so frustrated watching all of the storage unit shows where they pull out garbage and quote a price 5 times higher than it is actual worth. I feel like most of the prices on American Pickers is spot on. They might mark things up a bit in the store, but I am sure it is because they can get a bit of a premium over retail since it is coming from their particular shops.

[Tigerden]

On one episode they purchased two early laced leather basketballs for about $50.00 each or less which were in great shape and easily worth $150.00 in today's market. I believe they also bought a low grade wing front style leather football for $25.00 on another episode.

[campyfan39]

I have always wondered why they don't come across more cards.
all these hoarders they meet with you would think they would uncover some great stashes.

[almostdone]

The one thing I like about this show more than most of the others is that they seem to actually have some respect for the people they are picking from. A lot of other shows treat the sellers like they are stupid and uneducated.
Drew

[ruth-gehrig]

American Pickers were at my dads over the summer filming. His episode aired last Wednesday. If you missed it the episode will rerun next Wednesday at 7pm central (an hour before the next new episode. My dad has a green shirt on and is looking under the hood of an old Crosley car (think old smart car) when they first pull up. He sells Mike a motorcycle coin operated ride on toy and a neon taxi sign among other items. My dad, also named Mike, has known Mike Wolfe many years before the show began airing. When they we're filming at my dads I asked Mike if they ever come across much vintage sports items and he said they didn't. He also said they don't even consider most cards and advertising sports items because of the reproduction factor although I'm not sure why he wouldn't want to learn more about telling the difference between genuine and fake. They left and the next day picked my uncle who lives next door to my dad. His episode airs Nov. 20.

[GrayGhost]

Originally Posted by ruth-gehrig

American Pickers were at my dads over the summer filming. His episode aired last Wednesday. If you missed it the episode will rerun next Wednesday at 7pm central (an hour before the next new episode. My dad has a green shirt on and is looking under the hood of an old Crosley car (think old smart car) when they first pull up. He sells Mike a motorcycle coin operated ride on toy and a neon taxi sign among other items. My dad, also named Mike, has known Mike Wolfe many years before the show began airing. When they we're filming at my dads I asked Mike if they ever come across much vintage sports items and he said they didn't. He also said they don't even consider most cards and advertising sports items because of the reproduction factor although I'm not sure why he wouldn't want to learn more about telling the difference between genuine and fake. They left and the next day picked my uncle who lives next door to my dad. His episode airs Nov. 20.

GREAT story. I saw that show, coin op ride was awesome. Thanks for the cool info sir

[ClownQuestionBro]

Originally Posted by ruth-gehrig

American Pickers were at my dads over the summer filming. His episode aired last Wednesday. If you missed it the episode will rerun next Wednesday at 7pm central (an hour before the next new episode. My dad has a green shirt on and is looking under the hood of an old Crosley car (think old smart car) when they first pull up. He sells Mike a motorcycle coin operated ride on toy and a neon taxi sign among other items. My dad, also named Mike, has known Mike Wolfe many years before the show began airing. When they we're filming at my dads I asked Mike if they ever come across much vintage sports items and he said they didn't. He also said they don't even consider most cards and advertising sports items because of the reproduction factor although I'm not sure why he wouldn't want to learn more about telling the difference between genuine and fake. They left and the next day picked my uncle who lives next door to my dad. His episode airs Nov. 20.

Awesome! i saw that episode.
I think sports is outside of their expertise. They love bikes and motorcycles, but seem to steer clear of sports stuff. They'll pay hundreds for some old motorcycle part that i wouldnt know from a boat anchor, but i would imagine overlooking some nice sports antiques.
As for their prices, i bet the stuff that gets featured on the show brings in an inflated price because people will pay more for something that was made "famous" on an actual American Pickers episode.
I enjoy the show though, but like you guys, wish they'd find some sportscards/memoribilia once in a while.