- 2 days ago
find more Series on RealTV :
https://realtv.mytvchannel.org
https://realtv.mytvchannel.org
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00We're in Hobo Jack land?
00:01Dude, you're in Hobo Village coming up here.
00:03Hobo Jack's one of those kind of people.
00:05Money doesn't drive him. He needs stuff.
00:08And that's exactly what he's got.
00:11Jack got an avalanche!
00:13What happened to Hobo Jack?
00:14We died in a junkalanch.
00:18A warehouse full of junk?
00:19That's a picker's dream.
00:21This is 36,000 square feet.
00:23Dang!
00:25This bicycle is a J.C. Higgins Color Flow.
00:28It's original paint.
00:29This was the top-of-the-line J.C. Higgins bike back in the day.
00:32This is cool.
00:35Oh, wow, man. You got all kinds of stuff.
00:37Ooh, this thing's heavy, man.
00:39It came out of a lodge.
00:41I bought that chair from the Masons.
00:44Ooh, yeah.
00:45This chair has the Masonic square and compass on it
00:48and looks really authentic.
00:50I'm Mike Wolf.
00:51And I'm Frank Fress.
00:53And we're pickers.
00:55We travel the back roads of America.
00:58We're looking to buy rusty gold.
01:01We make a living telling the history of America
01:03one piece at a time.
01:18Danny sent us to Chicago.
01:20She's got a great lead.
01:21We're just waiting for a call with some details.
01:25You know, one thing about Chicago, I mean, it's a vibrant town.
01:27I mean, we live about two and a half hours away from here.
01:30But boy, if you want the vibe of the big city,
01:32Chicago's where you need to be.
01:34Danny D.
01:35What's going on?
01:36All right, I'm going to send you to this really cool guy.
01:39His name is Bill.
01:40Uh-huh.
01:41Really nice guy.
01:41I like him a lot.
01:42He does props for movies.
01:44Why is he selling stuff?
01:46Oh, the guy's got three floors.
01:47It's bursting at the seams.
01:48He just wants somebody to come in and just get rid of some of it.
01:51Oh, my God.
01:53That's smoking.
01:54Three floors.
01:54So you can go in, pick to your heart's delight.
01:57Awesome job.
01:58Send us some coordinates.
01:59We'll get on it.
02:00Okay.
02:00Danielle's really stepping up to the plate.
02:02If this leads as good as she says, we're in for a big score.
02:06This is it.
02:08Look how big this place is.
02:10Even though we're kind of back roads guys,
02:12a warehouse in Chicago full of junk, that's a picker's dream.
02:16All right, let's hit it.
02:20Right at the loading dock, I can see what Danielle was talking about.
02:23This place is busting at the seams with stuff everywhere.
02:26Wow, this place is huge.
02:27Rock Island, all of us.
02:29Oh, yeah.
02:30Hello.
02:31Man, this place is killer.
02:33Can I help you guys?
02:34Hey, how you doing?
02:35Hey, man.
02:36Are you Bill?
02:36I'm Bill, yeah.
02:37Bill, my name's Frank.
02:38Hi, Frank.
02:39Hey, I'm Mike.
02:40Mike, hi.
02:40How you doing?
02:41I'm from Antique Archeology.
02:42Oh, yeah.
02:42Can you talk to Danielle?
02:43Yes, yes.
02:44Cool.
02:44Here, I'm going to give you a flyer.
02:45That's just a list of the kind of stuff.
02:47I mean, she probably went through some of this stuff.
02:48I think I got everything here for you.
02:49You got everything on there.
02:50Well, she said you had three floors here.
02:52Oh, we do, yes.
02:53This is 36,000 square feet.
02:55Dang.
02:56How long have you been in the prop business?
02:58I've been doing this for over 20 years.
03:00No kidding.
03:00Yep.
03:01Wow, so you've amassed this much stuff.
03:03Yes, I have.
03:06Can we keep a look around?
03:07Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
03:08Please do.
03:09This place is amazing.
03:10I'm talking stuff stacked to the ceiling.
03:12He's got bicycles, advertising sign, architectural stuff.
03:15It's all here.
03:16So you've been setting stuff up here for a long time.
03:18Yes.
03:19I started in the jukebox video game business.
03:22And somewhere down the line, I bought gumball machines.
03:24And I said, oh, this is a nice little thing to start collecting.
03:27So I kept working and buying and getting different items.
03:31And it just kept building and building.
03:33This is awesome, man.
03:34Look at all the predictors.
03:36I know.
03:36It started out with two garages, a lot of stuff.
03:38And it just kept on snowballing until I got what's here in the building.
03:43Dang.
03:44Is this your office?
03:45Yeah, it's my office.
03:46Today, what I'm looking for is something unique, something you just can't find anywhere.
03:50This is all old movie posters, huh?
03:52Mm-hmm.
03:52Ooh, look at that.
03:53You got Planet of the Apes?
03:54No, I don't.
03:55That one, I know I don't.
03:56Bruce Lee, Mike.
03:59That's your favorite, dude.
04:00Look at that.
04:01Kato in the Green Hornet.
04:031974, Ridge.
04:0474, baby.
04:05You know, it's got great graphics, great color.
04:07I mean, these are very collectible.
04:08And this is an original one, too.
04:10How much?
04:11How much?
04:12A hundred on that one.
04:14I love Bruce Lee, but you don't love him that much?
04:17I don't love him that much.
04:17There's a lot of vintage posters just scattered around.
04:20So I want to take my time and find that special one.
04:31Well, how many posters are you interested in?
04:33Maybe we'll make a bundle.
04:34When Bill says bundle, he's speaking my language.
04:37Wow.
04:41I'm looking around and I find this Godzilla.
04:42It's made in the 70s also.
04:44He's breathing fire.
04:45You know, Tokyo.
04:46He's smashing people and stuff.
04:49I like the Godzilla one.
04:50And I like the Bruce Lee Green Hornet one.
04:52Here, I'll tell you what.
04:53I'll do $75 a piece.
04:55How's that sound?
04:56Mmm.
04:57It's $75 each.
04:58I can't make enough money on these posters.
05:00I need to get the price lower.
05:02Tell you what, I'd take them for $50 a piece right now, though.
05:05I mean, these are great prints.
05:07$50?
05:08$50.
05:09All right, I'll take it.
05:10That's a great buy.
05:11You get these things framed up.
05:12These are worth $200 a piece.
05:14Easy.
05:15Let's see what else we got.
05:21I find this bin full of old photographs and one in particular catches my eye.
05:26Oh, this is cool.
05:26Look at the motorcycle, Frankie.
05:28It's dated to 1913.
05:29It's kind of cool.
05:30A couple Harleys right there.
05:31There's a Harley.
05:32That other one that looks like Indian in the back.
05:33It's part of a display because if you see here, they say Harley over there.
05:36Oh, yeah.
05:36It's got the Harley pennants on it on the car.
05:39I love this photograph.
05:40It's a slice of life from another time.
05:42I wonder why he had the Harley pennants on it.
05:44I think it was there.
05:44He was maybe a dealer or something.
05:46Yeah.
05:46This was obviously taken at a parade of some sort either for Harley Davidson or Harley Davidson might have been
05:52the sponsor there.
06:01What do you want for this?
06:03I'd take 100 for that photo.
06:04God, it's cool.
06:06How about 80 bucks?
06:10All right.
06:11I'll give it to you for 80.
06:1280 bucks.
06:13All right, man.
06:14We're just getting started here and we're already finding high quality items.
06:20Sesco wide vision goggles.
06:21I love the graphics on the front of them.
06:23There it is.
06:24Made in USA, man.
06:25That's what we were talking about, too, on the way in here.
06:27You know, when we're digging around in these warehouse districts.
06:29So many things were made here in Chicago, man.
06:32Right.
06:33So the chances of finding the stuff are greater here, I think.
06:36The Midwest is where it's all at.
06:38That's why all these people come from Europe, from Japan, because...
06:41That's where it originated.
06:42Oh, yeah.
06:43The Midwest is the industrial heart of America.
06:45And that's where a lot of the things that we love originated.
06:49This is awesome, man.
06:53No way.
06:54Dang.
06:55Look at the fan section, man.
06:58Yeah, I used to collect fans.
06:59I don't think you used to.
07:01I think you still do.
07:02All the way down there is the sports.
07:03We have lighting on the left.
07:05Just really a lot of fun and weird things.
07:08Bill's been collecting his whole life, and he's turned his collection into a profitable business.
07:12One day, I got a phone call from Universal, and they needed a jukebox and an arcade game for League
07:17of Their Own.
07:19Oh, yeah, sure.
07:20Oh, yeah, yeah, sure.
07:21Ew.
07:22How much for this counter?
07:23Ah, the counter?
07:24That one there, I'd say I'd probably do, like, around $450 on it.
07:28I'm rarely interested in furniture.
07:30It has to be something very unique.
07:32This counter is that piece.
07:34Has it been shortened, it looks like?
07:35Yeah, it's right here.
07:36It's been cut.
07:37That piece has been added.
07:37This is probably, like, half.
07:39Yeah, that's what's cool about it.
07:40I mean, usually, I see them when they're so damn long, you know what I'm saying?
07:43Huge, yeah.
07:44Usually, if you find a general store counter, they're, like, 20 feet long.
07:47And you're very limited to the person that you could sell something like that to.
07:50This one, it's got an awesome look, awesome patina.
07:53I had to have it.
07:54This has been in a few movies.
07:56Has it?
07:56What's it been in?
07:57Road to Perdition, and probably in the Johnny Depp one, Public Enemy.
08:02Okay.
08:03The fact that this counter appeared in two big movies is a bonus,
08:06and that's the kind of story I'm gonna pass on to my customer.
08:09What about four bills?
08:11Jeez, you're gonna kill me for 50 bucks?
08:1350 bucks, man.
08:1450 bucks?
08:15That's a tank of gas.
08:1750 bucks is a lot of money.
08:18Oh, jeez.
08:20This counter is like the Mickey Rourke of props.
08:22It's sturdy.
08:23It's strong.
08:23It's crazy.
08:24It's weird.
08:25And it's ready for a comeback.
08:27You know what?
08:28I could do that with you guys.
08:29Four bills?
08:30Four bills.
08:31All right, I love it.
08:32You know what I like about this piece, too?
08:33He's got the elevator.
08:35Exactly.
08:36He's my back.
08:36I like it.
08:37What's great for me and Frankie is, when it comes to selling,
08:40Bill doesn't just sell to anybody.
08:42That's Wiley Coyote.
08:43Later, Frank.
08:44Whoa!
08:45I very rarely deal with the general public.
08:48What I'm more interested in is dealing with pickers,
08:51and people know what they're looking at.
08:53Polaroid land camera.
08:55Nice little set.
08:5630 bucks.
08:56All right.
08:57What do you get on this little spot?
08:59It's a porcelain.
09:0015 bucks.
09:00Done.
09:01Ooh!
09:02How much are the weirdos?
09:0325.
09:04All right, 25.
09:05I love this, man.
09:08Ooh!
09:11Bill!
09:12Yes!
09:13This bicycle is a JC Higgins Color Flow.
09:15It's original paint.
09:16This was the top-of-the-line JC Higgins bike back in the day.
09:20How much is that?
09:21How about a hundred bucks?
09:23All right.
09:23All right.
09:24That's cool.
09:25How much is he?
09:26His pants are blown out.
09:28Pickin' 101.
09:29When you see a mechanical, battery-operated monkey in a country and western suit with a guitar
09:33and you've got a store in Nashville, Merle Haggard, step aside.
09:36This thing is stone-cold cool.
09:38How about 40?
09:39I would buy it for 40.
09:41You probably did.
09:44Bill had a lot of signs down there.
09:46Yeah, I love signs.
09:47Rudy's Drugs.
09:48This ain't even my good signs.
09:50I got them in another warehouse.
09:52Hear that, Frankie?
09:54Yep.
09:54I never lost a dime in the stock market because I invested it all in signs.
09:58I hear all these guys crying.
09:59How much money did you lose with your collectible signs?
10:02Nothing?
10:03Well...
10:05If anyone knows the value of signs, it's me.
10:07I once bought a sign for $150 and sold it for $2,000.
10:11That's kind of cool.
10:12Bill, what do you got in this one?
10:13That one there?
10:14I miss Tucker shortening here.
10:15I mean, it was really cool.
10:17It had a picture of a lady on it.
10:18It was a big porcelain sign.
10:20I would take like, say, $150 for it.
10:25$150?
10:26Man, I was thinking like $100.
10:27$100?
10:28That's what I paid for it.
10:29I can't sell it for what I paid for it.
10:31Geez, go find one like this.
10:33It's hard to pick a picker.
10:34I mean, he knows what stuff's worth.
10:36Some of this stuff, you know, he's not going to want to sell.
10:38Oh, that's a beautiful sign.
10:40I mean, it's kind of, it's shortening, you know what I mean?
10:43It's big size, it's got a face on it.
10:45It's got a big smash in the face, right on her nose.
10:49It adds to it.
10:50All right.
10:51Shows that it's older.
10:52I got to.
10:52Let's do it in the middle, $125?
10:54I could agree to that.
10:56All right.
10:57That's what I call a good investment.
10:58And you know what else?
10:59What?
11:00It's gas and oil related.
11:01Look at that.
11:01I know it is.
11:02Oil refinery, I know.
11:03Before I find it on that, I'd charge you more.
11:04Oh, I'm glad we shook on it.
11:06Yeah.
11:07Bill has an amazing collection.
11:08I think we're walking away with some great items today.
11:10Okay.
11:12I got the shortening sign for $125.
11:15I think I get $300.
11:17I paid $400 for the general store counter.
11:20I'm going to ask $750.
11:25I got the vintage movie posters for $100.
11:28I think I can at least triple my money.
11:32All right, man.
11:34Bill's the kind of guy that we've got to keep in touch with.
11:37He's constantly buying stuff, and I know he'll be ready to sell stuff in the future.
11:41Come back at any time.
11:42All right, my friend.
11:43Thank you so much.
11:44Thanks, Bill.
11:44Nice to meet you, buddy.
11:45We'll see you.
11:46You know, they got a good eye.
11:47I really enjoyed having to come around and look.
11:51See you, Bill.
11:52We'll see you.
11:59Whoa.
12:00Dang.
12:00This place has a spider web that Hobo Jack spun.
12:03I'm in.
12:05All right, wait.
12:06Okay.
12:07What about that building we found that Excelsior chest?
12:09It's very difficult to get into that.
12:12More difficult than that?
12:13Yeah.
12:17You know what we need?
12:18We need a big-ticket item.
12:19I know we need a big-ticket item, Frank.
12:21I mean, every day I wake up, I know I need a big-ticket item.
12:24You know what I was thinking about?
12:25What about that cat that you bought?
12:28Whoa!
12:29Oh, my God.
12:30What is that?
12:30That's the full-size model for the cat that's on the Alice in Wonderland statue.
12:36That was $2,700 we got just sitting on the shelf.
12:39Why don't you try to get rid of that?
12:40It's an art investment, for one.
12:42An art investment?
12:43It's not just a cat.
12:43Okay.
12:44Would you sell your cat?
12:44I don't have $2,700 in my cat.
12:46What would your cat bring?
12:47$300?
12:48That's if I skinned him out.
12:52All right, I'll sell my cat.
12:54I don't want to see your cat skinned out.
12:56I'd say get Danielle on it.
12:58All right, I'll call Danielle.
12:59I kind of like the cat.
13:00We've had it for a while.
13:04What?
13:05Hey, Frank's came up with a major brainstorm.
13:08What?
13:09Sell the cat.
13:10$2,700 worth of paper mache sitting on the shelf.
13:13Have you had much luck with it?
13:15No.
13:16I haven't.
13:17I'm not trying to sell the cat.
13:18I really love the cat.
13:19You're only going to hear me say this once.
13:21Okay.
13:22I'm giving you permission to sell the cat.
13:26Sell the cat.
13:26All right.
13:27If you're sure about selling it, then we've got to get it appraised.
13:29Just try to sell it.
13:31All right.
13:31I'll look for an appraiser.
13:32All right, honey.
13:32Thanks.
13:33Anyway, I got a lead for you.
13:34So check your inbox.
13:36All right, bye.
13:37Bye.
13:37Well, looks like we're alone in this together, buddy.
13:43We're kicking it on the back roads of Illinois, and Danielle sends us a hot lead.
13:48Yeah, we got this couple we're going to see, Jack and Deanna.
13:50And they both enjoy collecting.
13:52All right, this isn't going to be hard to find, okay?
13:54It's a little town.
13:55It's a Dairy Queen building or Dairy Suite or something.
13:58Danielle said Jack acquired a building in town that used to be a Dairy Queen, and he's
14:02been compiling stuff in this building.
14:04Now he's saying that his collection is overrunning his life, and that's why they're willing to
14:08sell a few things.
14:10This is it right here, I think.
14:11This is it, dude.
14:11That's it.
14:12You can tell this was a Dairy Suite, though.
14:14Look at it.
14:14I know.
14:15I can hear you.
14:15They all look the same.
14:16You get the flyer.
14:18All right.
14:18Get that.
14:20Okay, so we just walk right in.
14:21I think so.
14:23I can see the tonnage in here.
14:24Wow.
14:27Oh, wow, man.
14:27You got all kinds of stuff.
14:29Hey, guys.
14:30Hey, I'm Mike.
14:31How you doing?
14:31You Jack?
14:32I'm Deanna.
14:33Deanna, how you guys doing?
14:34You guys get the Jack and Diane?
14:36Yeah.
14:37You get that all the time?
14:38A lot of people saying that?
14:39It's coming.
14:40A little bit.
14:40Hey, here's a flyer of ours.
14:41I know you already talked to Danielle.
14:43Yes.
14:43She said you got a little bit of overflow.
14:45Looks like it, huh?
14:46Oh, this is just the beginning.
14:48This is just the beginning?
14:49Let me tell you about a pic about Jack and Deanna.
14:52Two American kids grown up in the heartland, collecting stuff, and now they've got a ton
14:56of it in a Dairy Queen.
14:58Danielle said you've been dating since high school or something.
15:02Well.
15:02Started and then came back, right?
15:04We dated right after I graduated from high school.
15:07And so he was the first man I fell in love with.
15:10And we just dated for a little while and separated.
15:12And a couple years ago, we reunited.
15:15And he was diagnosed with cancer a couple months later.
15:18And so we spent a year of cancer treatment, which is why the stuff just has collected.
15:22And we buy a little bit more, but we aren't getting rid of any of it.
15:24We don't have room for stuff.
15:26You guys still both buying?
15:27Yeah.
15:28Yeah.
15:28I've always been a collector.
15:29My dad was a horse trader.
15:31Uh-huh.
15:32And I took it from there.
15:34He passed and I took over.
15:36That's why they call me Little Jack.
15:38Oh, okay.
15:38He was Big Jack.
15:39Not for any reason.
15:41Well, let's look around here a little bit.
15:43All righty.
15:44This is pretty cool.
15:46Wow.
15:46You guys do have a little bit of everything here.
15:48It seems like Jack has been keeping himself really busy.
15:50He's got old toys.
15:51He's got smalls.
15:52I mean, if you could collect it, this guy's been buying it.
15:55I started collecting a little of this and a little of that.
15:58And then I just got carried away.
15:59I like your display cases.
16:01What's that trophy right there say?
16:03What does it say?
16:04Harley Davidson?
16:05Turkey sheet.
16:06Awarded for best display MB Turkeys Louisville 1912.
16:12This is so cool.
16:13Someone won this a hundred years ago in a competition and it's been kept in great shape.
16:18Somebody's going to want this trophy as a piece of decor and it's got a little bit history right on
16:22the front.
16:23What are you asking for this?
16:27How about 30?
16:30Ooh.
16:31I think you're as proud of this as the guy that won it that day.
16:35How about 20?
16:36I like it because it says Louisville on it.
16:38We got a store down in Nashville now.
16:40That's like in our backyard.
16:42Remember, Jack, every little bit you can sell gives you more room.
16:45That's right.
16:46Okay.
16:47All right.
16:48As much as I hate to let it go for $20.
16:51Work with me a little bit?
16:52Yes.
16:53All right.
16:53All right, man.
16:5420 bucks?
16:5420 bucks.
16:55All right, Frank.
16:55I broke the ice over here.
16:57Look at all this stuff here.
17:01How am I looking?
17:02It's kind of cool.
17:04Look at all that.
17:07Jack, what do you got in these bottles here?
17:10I'm not sure what kind of liquid it might have been in these.
17:13Might have been some kind of alcohol.
17:14Could have been.
17:16These glass bottles have a great look.
17:18What I really like is they have the 1939 World's Fair logo and printed on the base.
17:23In 1939, the country was just starting to come out of the Great Depression.
17:26And the World's Fair in New York was a great escape from difficult times.
17:48They'd be nice as bookends.
17:50I'd take 40 for the pair.
17:5740 for the pair, you know what?
17:59I'll take a chance on them.
18:00All right.
18:00All right.
18:01I think they're kind of cool.
18:02The fact that these are from the 1939 World's Fair, and they're in great condition, should
18:06make them an easy sell.
18:09Dang.
18:11You're out buying, my friend.
18:12They bring us into another room that's packed full of furniture, and bam, there it is.
18:17Man, this is a hell of a chair.
18:19This chair is huge.
18:20It looks like somebody's throne.
18:22Ooh, this thing's heavy, man.
18:24Yes.
18:24Damn.
18:25Where'd this come out of?
18:26It came out of a lodge.
18:28I bought that chair from the Masons.
18:31Oh, yeah.
18:32Just sitting in it kind of gives you a feeling of power.
18:35This chair has the Masonic square and compass on it and looks really authentic.
18:51What do you got to have for that?
18:54150.
18:58Feels like 100.
19:00Oh.
19:01150, I'm pretty solid on.
19:03I love this chair, but I'm not really sure on the market on Masonic pieces, and I'm not
19:08really sure how long it's going to take me to sell at the store.
19:10I don't want to pay too much.
19:13150.
19:16Good shape.
19:17How about 130?
19:20130.
19:25I'll do that.
19:26130?
19:26All right.
19:27Woo!
19:28You guys got to help get it out.
19:30Heck yeah, we'll help get it out.
19:32I'm excited about this chair.
19:33I'm just hoping I find a buyer that loves it just as much as I do.
19:38Well, I kind of got into the Art Deco stuff.
19:40Yeah, I like Art Deco stuff too.
19:41She must have had a shade here that this was pressed up against it.
19:45Jack, what do you got on your musky here?
19:46Whoa.
19:47Lately, we've been finding a lot of taxidermy animals.
19:51Al, I like the alligator.
19:52This is a 10-foot long alligator.
19:55When's the last time you've seen one of those?
19:58What do you get for something like that?
20:00I'll tell you what.
20:01I'll take $40.
20:03$40?
20:04Yes.
20:05Fish are always great to sell, especially if they're in great shape.
20:08How about 30?
20:09You couldn't even buy the bait for $30.
20:12Oh, believe me.
20:13Believe me.
20:14Yeah, you got the bait.
20:15You got the 30 pack.
20:16Now, if I'd have caught it myself, it'd be easier, but...
20:19You'll say you did.
20:2035?
20:2135, you got a deal.
20:23All right.
20:23People are going to ask me, where'd you catch that?
20:25I'm saying, oh, I got that down in Southern Illinois.
20:28I don't have to tell them that I didn't catch it.
20:31What are you doing?
20:32Cleaning some bicycles up?
20:33Yeah.
20:34Is it for sale?
20:35No, I really would like to keep it.
20:38We've been here before.
20:39I'm having a flashback.
20:44You got 12 bucks on this thing.
20:46You actually got a price tag on it.
20:47I wouldn't give 12 for that.
20:48That's what I'm saying.
20:49Neither would I.
20:50How about six bucks?
20:51That's fine.
20:53All right.
20:54Love it.
20:55Hey, Jack, what about this?
20:56Insurance sign.
20:58Make me an offer.
20:5950 bucks.
21:00Damn.
21:01Damn good or damn bad?
21:02That's fine.
21:03All right, good.
21:04How much is the old Red Sox cap?
21:06$15.
21:07How about 10 bucks?
21:09Okay.
21:09Red Sox baby.
21:10The thrill's gone after you make the purchase.
21:13Then when you sell it, you get the thrill again.
21:16Jack, tell me about this sign right here.
21:17The only store in town, the owner, he wanted me to move a wagon for him and he traded me
21:24that sign.
21:25I drove it home in my minivan sticking out the side door.
21:30Hey, I've been there, man.
21:31This piece takes you back in time.
21:34Cigar stores were everywhere in the early 20th century and United Cigars was the biggest one.
21:49I'd say it's about 10 foot long, eight.
21:51It's early.
21:52This is a statement piece, man.
21:54Yeah.
21:54I mean, it made a statement on me right when I walked in here.
21:56It was the first thing I saw.
21:57This is a handcrafted piece of advertising that would have went on the front of the store.
22:01But now, I'm looking at it as a piece of art.
22:04What do you value that at?
22:05$1,200.
22:06$1,200?
22:08Yeah, I think you're right on the money there.
22:09It's pretty cool.
22:10$1,200 is full on retail?
22:12He's not leaving any meat on the bone for me.
22:14What's your bottom dollar on the cigar sign?
22:17I'm talking like basement, way in the ground.
22:20I'm talking like geothermal.
22:22I'm thinking $6.
22:24$6?
22:25That leaves you room to make money.
22:29I tell you what, if you're going to work with me that much on that sign, I'd take that.
22:36Well, that's good because I was pretty evident about it.
22:40Today, Jack gave us some great deals because he's learning to let go.
22:44Okay.
22:46Got it.
22:47I got the United Cigars signed for $600.
22:50I'm going to ask $1,200.
22:53I bought the World's Fair models for $40.
22:55I'm going to ask $100 each.
22:58You jump down there and I'll throw it at you.
23:00Okay.
23:02I bought the Masonic chair for $130.
23:05I'm going to ask $450.
23:08All right, Frankie.
23:10Meetin' Jack and Deanna.
23:11I mean, they were great people, you know.
23:12They've been reunited and they both love collecting.
23:15I mean, what a better story.
23:16Very nice to meet you.
23:17That's glad to meet you.
23:18Very nice to meet you.
23:19Very nice to meet you.
23:20I like some stuff.
23:21It's like hunting.
23:22When you find something, you get a feeling.
23:25All right, baby.
23:27I think Mike and Frank share that feeling.
23:31It's the hunt.
23:33Here, little Jack.
23:36Hi, guys.
23:43Yeah, John.
23:45I've talked to you in the past about appraising.
23:46It's a paper mache cat.
23:48It's not a real cat.
23:49Oh, you've never heard of paper mache?
23:51And you're an appraiser?
23:53Of art?
23:54So as I guessed, it's more difficult to find an appraiser for this cat than I thought it would be.
23:58Hi, I need to speak with somebody about appraising a cat.
24:01It's a piece of art history by Jose de Cref.
24:05I think I'm saying it the right way.
24:06No, it's not a taxidermy cat.
24:08It's a paper mache cat.
24:09You know what?
24:10You're breaking up.
24:11I can't hear you.
24:13Hi.
24:14At this point, I'm just hoping that the gods of Picken will smile down upon me and I will find
24:18the perfect appraiser.
24:19So not only are you familiar with New York and Central Park, but you're also familiar with Jose de Cref
24:24and the statue.
24:26Well, this is my lucky day.
24:27So I found Tom.
24:29Finally.
24:30Great guy.
24:30Third generation auctioneer, appraiser.
24:32He knows who Jose de Cref is.
24:34Okay, the boys are on the road.
24:35They're going to be coming back soon and I'll get you hooked up.
24:38Okay, cool.
24:38Thank you so much, Tom.
24:39I think things are going to be all right.
24:41Oh, we got you all taken care of.
24:43This is exciting.
24:48We still haven't found that big ticket item, but I got a little thing up my sleeve.
24:52I hope it pays off.
24:54All right, this looks good, man.
24:55Feel like you've been here before?
24:57Kinda, yeah.
24:58It's like deja vu, but you know what?
24:59All these back roads seem to be familiar after a while.
25:01Remember a guy called Hobo Jack?
25:04Yeah.
25:06We're in the Hobo, we're in Hobo Jack land?
25:08Dude, you're in Hobo Village coming up here.
25:11Hobo Jack, man.
25:12The epic pick, the stellar pick, the mega pick.
25:15If you guys spent a week here all day long, you might see half of what I've got.
25:20Oh my gosh.
25:21Man, he's got the mood, man.
25:23You know what?
25:23Last time we were there, we didn't even scratch the surface.
25:26We ran out of time.
25:27So I got a little bit of money today.
25:29Well, you know where you're going?
25:29I know where we're going, but the deal is...
25:32What's the deal?
25:33Well, I can't guarantee he's gonna be there.
25:35It's kinda sketchy getting a hold of this guy since he doesn't have any electricity, he doesn't have any phone.
25:39Hobo Jack is living off the grid, back in the woods.
25:42What's that?
25:44Oh yeah.
25:44Don't hit that tree.
25:45I got it, dude.
25:46There's his car too, the blue one.
25:48Okay, there's three cars right here.
25:49I know, but that's the one he uses, dude.
25:51Last time we scored a big ticket item here at Hobo Jack's.
25:53I'm hoping lightning strikes twice.
25:56You know, it's tough.
25:58This is exactly the way it was when we were here last time.
26:02Exactly.
26:03All the stuff's piled up, it's looking familiar.
26:06The only thing is, Hobo Jack's missing.
26:09Hello!
26:10We gotta find him somewhere.
26:12Hello!
26:13Hello!
26:14Oh, there he is right there.
26:16Jack!
26:17How you doing?
26:19Remember us?
26:20All right, Frank.
26:21I'm Frank.
26:21Hey, remember us?
26:22Yeah!
26:23What's going on, my friend?
26:24It's been a year since we've been to Hobo Jack's place.
26:26The only thing that's changed is his beard's gotten about two inches longer.
26:29I feel really honored that you two guys would actually come back a second time.
26:35Oh, man!
26:36No, no, no!
26:37Touch the old hobo.
26:38Well, you're kind of hard to get in touch with, but we were down this area and we wanted
26:41to stop in.
26:42What are you doing?
26:42Cleaning some bicycles up?
26:44Cool one?
26:46You and I love the same stuff, man.
26:48First patent on a pneumatic tire was 1888.
27:03This probably was the first year that came out with pneumatics.
27:07Is it for sale?
27:08No, I really would like to keep it.
27:10We've been here before.
27:11I'm having a flashback.
27:13I'd take it for three grand.
27:14I can't do that.
27:16I just can't do that.
27:17We've been here before, my friend.
27:19Do you mind if we look around a little bit?
27:21No.
27:21All right.
27:22Is there a guitar in here, Jack?
27:23I don't think so.
27:24Hobo Jack's place is the Bermuda Triangle of junkyards.
27:27Time stops and everything ends up there.
27:30Be careful when you walk here.
27:32Don't walk on that because I've got a cash register drawer I'm working on.
27:38I bought a lot of these items many years ago when you could go to an estate sale and fill
27:45up a whole truckload of miscellaneous antiques for just a few dollars.
27:52I still have buildings filled with this sort of thing.
27:54Whoa.
27:55Whoa.
27:56Dang.
27:58Here, I might be able to just get a few of these out and then I could spider monkey it
28:02in.
28:02Oh, whoa.
28:04Jeez.
28:05How'd you feel like that?
28:06I'm in.
28:07I don't know if I can get out, but I'm in.
28:08This place has a spider web that Hobo Jack spun years ago.
28:12Oh, my God.
28:13He got it over there.
28:15He's a snake.
28:17I started collecting when I was 16 years old.
28:21Just old enough to own a motor scooter and begin to travel around and find antique cars
28:27and antique motorcycles.
28:29Dang.
28:29I probably will keep some of these items until the day I die.
28:34There's some human hair.
28:36A big pile of that.
28:37Hobo Jack is like a little circus weasel.
28:39He scampered his way in right next to me.
28:42I haven't been inside this building in years.
28:44What's that right there?
28:45Like this?
28:46That's cool.
28:47What's that?
28:47Out of a funeral.
28:49Incredible that Jack has about a million things here and he seems to remember exactly
28:52where he got each one.
28:54I've got a pair of those.
28:55You got a pair?
28:55Where's the other one at?
28:56Oh, there it is right there.
28:57There it is.
28:58Yeah, you're right.
28:59I find these really cool wall decorations.
29:02These are pretty neat with a glass.
29:04I know.
29:04That's why I like them.
29:05You and I like the same stuff.
29:07Why don't we do this?
29:08I'll stand tall.
29:10200 bucks for the pair.
29:13You wouldn't even know I scratched the surface here if I bought that.
29:16I'm just trying to get some cash flowing to get the deal going.
29:20Let's wait just a little bit.
29:24I realize it's not about the money.
29:26It's about the peace, the appreciation, and the love for his junk.
29:30I'm getting under here.
29:34All right, wait.
29:35Okay.
29:36Wait.
29:37There you go.
29:38Watch out.
29:38It's the glass.
29:40Perfect.
29:40You got it.
29:41I think it's easier to get out this way.
29:45All right.
29:47I just went through the rabbit hole and came out the other side and I'm ready for more.
29:51What about that building we found in that Excelsior chest?
29:53You're welcome to look in there, but it's very difficult to get into there.
29:57More difficult than that?
29:58Yeah.
30:00The last time I saw one of these signs like this, this size, they wanted $5,000 for it.
30:08We still need a big ticket item here.
30:10And guess what?
30:11I'm thinking this sign is it for me.
30:13I'm like a raccoon, man.
30:15I can get into anywhere.
30:16Be careful as you come through here because it's very narrow.
30:19It's not a building for fat people.
30:21Draw your stomach in.
30:23All right, I'll draw it in.
30:23Draw your stomach in.
30:25Yeah.
30:26We walk into one room and it's so full that you're stepping on top of this stuff and it's
30:32at least two feet deep.
30:34Jack, what about this sign back here?
30:36This is cool.
30:37I have intentions of building an antique filling station.
30:42Really?
30:43And this was the sign I was going to use on it.
30:45Man, it seems like you've got a lot of projects going on now, Jack.
30:47This sounds familiar too.
30:49I'm starting to have another flashback.
30:51Look at that.
30:51I can see that on a big old porch.
30:53It's always been my intention to build a Victorian mansion.
30:57The last time I saw one of these signs like this, this size, they wanted $5,000 for it.
31:05Was it mint?
31:06It was a little better than this one.
31:08It's probably worth a couple thousand itself.
31:10Johnson Motor Oil Company was an early company, a small company that made some amazing pieces
31:16of advertising.
31:17A lot of their stuff from oil cans to signs to store displays is very sought after.
31:23Can I make you an offer on this sign?
31:24Go ahead and make me an offer.
31:26I don't guarantee I'll take it.
31:27How about...
31:29Let me see this side, how bad it is.
31:32We still need a big ticket item here.
31:34And guess what?
31:34I'm thinking this sign is it for me.
31:36How about $1,500?
31:40I'll think about it.
31:41All right.
31:41You think about it.
31:42All right.
31:42I got to think about it, Frank.
31:44I got to think about it.
31:45That's better than a shutdown.
31:45Sometimes I'll just sell them.
31:47Well, I'll think about it.
31:49But my thoughts are not generally to the idea of selling them.
31:54How long have you been on this property?
31:5633 years.
31:57So 33 years.
31:58All of these buildings you've filled up in 33 years.
32:01I built a building.
32:02You built the buildings and filled them.
32:04Hobo Jack is 5'3", weighs 75 pounds.
32:07All I can think of is how did that little guy get all of this stuff into one place.
32:12It's insane.
32:13How much is this like, Jack?
32:14That's not for sale.
32:15Jack.
32:16Yeah.
32:17How much is this whistle?
32:19Not for sale.
32:20Jack, how about this little indicator light thing?
32:22That is not for sale either.
32:24Jack.
32:25What about this one?
32:26Nope.
32:27That's not for sale either.
32:29Nothing for sale?
32:30Nope.
32:31Hobo Jack's one of those kind of people.
32:33Money doesn't drive him.
32:34He doesn't need a lot of money.
32:35He needs stuff.
32:37And that's exactly what he's got.
32:42Whoa.
32:43Jack.
32:44Jack, you got an avalanche.
32:46You all right?
32:48What happened to Hobo Jack?
32:50He died in a junkalanche.
32:53I realize that I have entirely too much.
32:57And I have to cut down.
32:59I have to begin to get rid of a lot.
33:01All right, wait a second.
33:02There's a wheel right there.
33:03That looks Indian.
33:04I'm honey badgering.
33:08There's a lot of bits and pieces that make up an antique motorcycle wheel like this.
33:13Whoa.
33:13Jenga.
33:14One, it's early.
33:15It's mid-1930s.
33:16It's probably off an Indian Scout.
33:18Just that it exists is amazing alone.
33:21But two, it's complete.
33:22The hub is there.
33:24The backing plate for the brake is there.
33:25There's a lot going on here.
33:27So this one's got the brake hardware.
33:28It's pretty pitted.
33:29How about $175?
33:33Okay.
33:34Okay?
33:35Yeah.
33:35Really?
33:36All right.
33:37The last time I bought something in the Motorcycle Lobby, man, I had to wrestle you.
33:41He's used to having to fight with me for almost everything.
33:45It wasn't hard to see the wheel go because I'd already gotten rid of the motorcycles.
33:51Any good carbs, Mike?
33:52Anything?
33:53What's that?
33:54What does it say?
33:55Carberries for an Indian.
33:57Wait, see.
33:58Does it say Hedstrom on it?
33:58Yeah.
33:59It's from India.
34:00I found this really nice Indian carburetor.
34:03This is an earlier carburetor.
34:04They stopped using this in about 1915.
34:06They call them soup can carburetors.
34:09Extremely hard to find.
34:10Here, I'm holding one original in my hand.
34:23Jack, how much for the Indian carburetor?
34:26Oh, I don't know.
34:28Can I make you an offer on it?
34:29Yeah, I don't know.
34:29It's missing the manifold.
34:31It's missing the bottom piece.
34:36About 500 bucks.
34:40All right.
34:41Is that all right?
34:42All right, 500 bucks.
34:44Okay, cool.
34:44I can't believe it.
34:46All day long, everything has not been for sale.
34:49But now, I'm getting hobo jacked.
34:51Man, I can stay in there all day.
34:53I know.
34:54Yeah, I remember being back here, Jack.
34:57Oh, Lord.
34:59I'm having a great time climbing around Jack's stuff today.
35:01I mean, he's got piles and piles of stuff.
35:03But you know what?
35:04He hasn't sold me anything yet.
35:05And I'm not leaving here empty handed.
35:09Hobo Jack had this metal drugstore sign.
35:11It's a great piece.
35:13I don't think he's going to do anything with it.
35:15And it's already starting to rot.
35:17Jack, what about this sign up here?
35:18I found it was up in the rafters.
35:19Can you tell me about it?
35:21I found it in the trash in St. Louis.
35:23What would you have to have for something like this?
35:24I was really going to keep that for using with a bottle collection.
35:29With a bottle collection?
35:30I mean, you're not trying to build a drugstore too, are you?
35:32No.
35:33I really want to keep it.
35:35How about 300?
35:40I'll think about it.
35:41You'll think about 300 on it?
35:43I'll think about it.
35:44What the ?
35:47See, I'd still do 300.
35:49The frustrating part about finding stuff at Hobo Jack's
35:52is sometimes I found stuff he didn't know he had,
35:55but he still wouldn't sell it.
35:57All right, Jack.
35:58How about this radio?
36:00The top is cracked.
36:02I know it.
36:03These always crack because of the tubes.
36:05Would you sell that?
36:06That's the only one of those Catalans I've ever gotten.
36:09Catalan was an early form of plastic.
36:10The great thing about Catalan, though, was
36:12it came in so many different amazing colors.
36:28Make me an offer.
36:29All right, I'm going to make you an offer.
36:30Oh, the bottom's cracked too.
36:31How about 75?
36:34I don't think so, Mike.
36:35That is a very unusual color.
36:38Most of what you see are the yellows or the greens.
36:43Okay, let me start this over.
36:45$150.
36:48All right.
36:49All right, you sell that?
36:50Yeah. Okay.
36:51I enjoyed it for a while and let it move on.
36:55Jack, how about these clocks, these little tabletops?
36:58Oh, those are my little favorites.
36:59These are your favorites?
37:00Yeah.
37:01Man.
37:01Frank has an eye for very unique items.
37:06Unfortunately, they happen to be items that I have a use for
37:10or intend to use for some purpose.
37:14I'll buy something.
37:16You know how you buy things on a gut feeling?
37:18Sure.
37:19This was one of those gut feelings.
37:20I'm wondering if I did the right thing by buying it.
37:23Here she is.
37:25Today is the day I'm going to find that out.
37:27You know, you got a chance to step up to the plate
37:29and hit a big home run here.
37:30Really.
37:34Hobo Jack had a very eclectic eye.
37:37He bought what he loved.
37:39He bought what he thought was cool.
37:40And that's what's great about picking.
37:44Hey, Jack.
37:45Yeah.
37:46What about this little wash thing here?
37:48That's a ringer for a collar.
37:49Okay.
37:50The collar ringer was for separate collars
37:54that buttoned or snapped onto your shirt.
37:57And I had some of those.
38:00They were used back probably from about 1920 on back,
38:05before the turn of the century.
38:08What would you have to have for this?
38:10I never really thought about selling it.
38:13This is something very unusual.
38:14I traveled to the United States over and over,
38:17and I've never seen one of these.
38:18How about $50?
38:24All right, go ahead.
38:25All right.
38:25I'll bring it out.
38:26Finally, Hobo Jack sells me something.
38:29I mean, it took all day, but I'm leaving with something I bought
38:31that I've never seen before.
38:32You drive a hard bargain, my friend.
38:34Me and Hobo Jack were made to be pickers, man.
38:37And we love this stuff, and we never want to let it go.
38:40I appreciate you letting us look around unannounced, you know?
38:43Yeah.
38:44That radio's about ready to track in half.
38:47Those are so rare, though, those Catlin ones.
38:49Yeah.
38:49I bought the Catlin radio for $150.
38:52I'm going to ask $325.
38:54All right.
38:56Ugh.
38:57I bought the Indian motorcycle wheel for $175.
39:00I think I can get $375.
39:04I paid $50 for the cast iron collar ringer,
39:07but I know I can at least double my money.
39:09Can we come back and bug you again?
39:11Sure.
39:12There's still probably, I would say, 75% of what I have
39:18that they've never gone through.
39:22Today was an honor to dig through Hobo Jack's stuff.
39:25We saw a lot of stuff that we loved.
39:27The problem was, though, Hobo Jack loved it more than us.
39:32All right.
39:33You know what?
39:33I'm celebrating.
39:34I'm happy because I bought something from Hobo Jack.
39:38But then I'm also bummed because I couldn't buy a ton of stuff from Hobo Jack.
39:43Since we drove all the way to Hobo Jack's and didn't score a big ticket item,
39:47I'm motivated now more than ever to sell that cat.
39:49I should be mad at somebody because I didn't score today.
39:52Are you mad at Hobo Jack?
39:53How could you be mad at Hobo Jack?
39:54He could never be mad at Hobo Jack.
39:55How could you be mad at him?
39:57How could you be mad at him?
40:03Here's yours right here.
40:04Check that out, body and soul.
40:06Guys!
40:07Guys!
40:07Don't scratch him when you put him over there.
40:08Please!
40:09Guys!
40:09What, what, what?
40:10This is Tom.
40:11He's here to appraise our cat.
40:14I'm Tom Harris.
40:15Our family's been in the antique auction business for 62 years.
40:18Let me show you the cat.
40:19Alright, I got work.
40:20I'll see you guys later.
40:21You are gonna love this.
40:24Check this out.
40:26There she is.
40:28You know how you buy things on a gut feeling?
40:30Sure.
40:30This was one of those gut feelings.
40:32In the back of my mind, I'm wondering if I did the right thing by buying it.
40:36Today is the day I'm gonna find that out.
40:38You guys know what you have here?
40:39Yeah, I mean we've got a part of a process for the sculpture.
40:43Right.
40:43From Jose de Creft.
40:44Yeah, he was a major artist in worldwide museums.
40:48He started in Spain.
40:48He went to France.
40:50Came to the United States.
40:51He died at 98 years old.
40:53Wow.
40:53And did the bronze for Alice in Wonderland in New York City.
40:57This bronze, it's been there 50 years.
41:08We got this from a guy named Bobby Hanson.
41:11I've lived a long life.
41:12I was an underground filmmaker and it's a great way to live.
41:15And I pointed a camera at him all day every day for two years.
41:19He told us some amazing stories.
41:21He said, you know what, out of all the films I did on everything,
41:24this is actually the only thing I still have left of Jose.
41:27Wow.
41:27What's your first impression?
41:28He's awesome.
41:29I was real excited to see that it was in decent condition for as old as it is.
41:34This would have been a study piece that he would have done that was a couple stages away
41:37from the original bronze that he made.
41:40He might have made a sketching first, then a model like this.
41:44After this, he would have carved a wood or stone figure just like this with all the hair
41:49and the cat details and things like that, and then press into the sand casting to make
41:54the bronze that's actually in New York City right now.
41:57Now I know when they make sand casts and stuff, a lot of times they break them so people can't
42:01reproduce them.
42:02Right.
42:03So this might be like one of the only last pieces that are still here.
42:06I think you guys have uncovered a real historical piece.
42:09These studies in the art world are very valuable to people because it's just like Rembrandt would draw pencil etchings
42:15of characters that he was going to put into an oil painting.
42:18It's part of the process of an artist.
42:21Well, let me ask you.
42:21Here it is.
42:22I gotta ask ya.
42:23Here's a question.
42:24Tom, what do you think it's worth?
42:29You got a chance to step up to the plate and hit a big home run here, I think, because
42:33nobody else has one of these.
42:35I would say that if you're going to sell it, that you'd probably get it in the 6,000 range
42:41for it real fast.
42:42Really?
42:42The way it sits right now.
42:44I was completely blown away.
42:45Bobby Hanson, I mean, he had this piece, he had it for a long time, and he thought to himself,
42:50you know what, it's time it went somewhere where someone can see it instead of just being dusty on this
42:54shelf.
42:55It's not just an ugly cat.
42:58Man, it's so ugly, it's beautiful.
43:01Frankie, what do you think now?
43:02You're amazing.
43:03I'm thinking this was a great score.
43:05Mike, you did great.
43:12Thank you so much.
43:12Thanks, guys, thanks for letting me see it.
43:13I appreciate it.
43:14It's a pleasure.
43:15Alright, let's go tell Danielle what a good job she did.
43:18Great.
43:18It's one of a kind, just like Jose was.
43:21He was one of a kind.
43:23This is an extension of him.
43:25Why not let a lot of people have the opportunity to try to buy it?
43:31Aw, hi, beautiful cat.
43:33This cat is on lockdown.
43:35Nobody touches her, nobody gets their grimy little paws on her.
43:37Crazy cat.
43:39I cannot trust the boys with this cat.
43:41Have you ever seen Mike eat?
43:42He would get his grubby little hands all over that cat and she'd be ruined.
43:47She's my baby.
43:48If anything happens to this cat, I'm a dead kitty.
43:54Love that cat.
43:55God, it grows.
Comments