MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County Executive Gregory Edwards received news today that History Channel’s “American Pickers” is coming to New York State and its producer Cineflix Inc. is looking for any leads in Chautauqua County of people with large private collections that could be featured in their show.
“American Pickers” drew 3.1 million viewers on its debut in January 2010 and the show, now in its fourth season, explores the fascinating world of antique ‘picking.’ The high profile show follows two of the most skilled pickers in the business Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz as they embark on an epic road trip across the U.S. The show follows the pickers on their truck as they go on a mission in search of America’s most fascinating and valuable antiques-treasures that have been long forgotten in junkyards, basements, garages, and barns across the country.
“We’re looking for leads throughout the state, specifically interesting characters with interesting items and lots of them,” said Cineflix Inc. Producer Jodi Friedman.
Mike and Frank only pick private collections and are not looking for leads to stores, malls, flea markets, museums, auctions, businesses, or anything open to the public. They are also not looking for farming/agriculture items, tools, glassware, appliances, tractors, crocks, stoves or country primitives.
Some of the items the American Pickers are looking for are:
- Motor scooters: Vespas, Lambretta,
- Cushman
- Old advertising signage
- Motorcycles
- Bicycles (Pre 60’s to turn of the
- century)
- Old toys: tin, wind-up, cast iron
- Pre 50’s vending machines
- Pinball and slot machines
- Old Movie Posters
- Unusual radios: transistor, tabletop, etc.
- Antique casino/gaming machines
- Vintage movie memorabilia
- Vintage advertising Items
- Taxidermy
- Vintage concert posters & T-shirts
- Early Boy Scout items
- Pre 60’s vintage diner collectibles
- Pre 60’s TV merchandise
- Pre 50’s western/equestrian Gear
- Classic motorcycle memorabilia
- Sports memorabilia
- Houdini items
- Old rodeo items
- Airline collectibles:
- Pan-Am, TWA, Etc.
- Late 70’s & earlier military items
- Extraordinary mobster memorabilia
- Vintage police officer collectibles
- Firefighter collectibles
- Pre 40’s telephones
- Folk art
- Vintage BB guns/cap guns
- Early Halloween items
- Pre 40’s Christmas items
- Hawaiiana/Tiki Collectibles
- Vintage sports collectibles
- Vintage election memorabilia
- Musical instruments
- Civil War antiques
- Vintage gas pumps
- Pre 70’s old neon signs
- Strange woodcarvings
- Vintage collegiate collectibles
- Casino tables
If you have any of these items or know someone with barns full of old stuff waiting to be explored, please contact the County Executive’s Office at (716) 753-4211 for more information.
Tonya mcmillan says
I have alot of old records and a couple old steel sewing machine ,do not have the sewing machine with it ,have old picture ,how can I see if they worth something
WRFA News Dept. says
Try looking up the items on eBay and seeing what others are asking for. Other than that, you’d probably have to hire an appraiser. Not sure of which ones are available in this area.