AMERICAN Pickers star Mike Wolfe has added expensive antiques to his Iowa store ahead of the new season.
American Pickers returns to History Channel on Wednesday, July 2 with Mike and Robbie Wolfe, Danielle Colby and Jon “Jersey” Szalay for Season 27.
Mike Wolfe outside of his Nashville, Tennessee store, which shuttered its doors in April[/caption]
One expensive item sold in his Iowa store is a ‘spooky’ tree toy[/caption]
Another expensive item is a leather license plate[/caption]
Ahead of new episodes, The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal Mike, 60, has stocked his Le Claire, Iowa store with new and expensive items.
The highest-priced antique is a “Marx Tin Lithographed Spooky Tree Toy” for a whopping $1,775.
A description for the listing read, “Behold, the marvelous, rare vintage 1960’s eerie Marx Tin Lithograph Spooky Kooky Tin Tree Toy is a standout piece of vintage Halloween fun.
“With its expressive face, mechanical charm, and classic litho detailing, it captures the playful side of fright.
“Whether haunting your holiday display or anchoring a toy collection, this spooky tree adds a quirky, nostalgic twist to any shelf.”
Another costly item is a leather license plate for a whopping $1,348.
The listing reads, “Leather license plates are some of the earliest pieces of automobile history.
“One of the most durable material, leather became the most popular choice for automobile owners to display their licenses. From the early 1900’s, this pieces reads 46-185.”
A Kendall Canvas Banner is on sale for $775, as the listing urges collectors to “bring the golden age of motoring into your home with this stunning 1920-30’s Kendall Oil canvas banner.”
Another expensive item is a Roar of The iron Horse Movie Poster for $750.
A description for the item reads, “Released in 1951 by Columbia Motion Pictures, Roar of the Iron Horse hit movie theatres across America. This 15 Chapter serial followed railroad agent, Jim Grant (played by Jock O’Mahoney), and his adventures and challenges of building the transcontinental railroad system.
“This one-of-a-kind movie poster is a full printed particle board pasted on a custom cut wooden frame.”
The listing notes there are “minor tears and scratches.”
An Indian Head Radiator Cement Display would set customers back $737.
The listing boasts that since 1930, people have counted on Indian Head Radiator Cement to patch radiator leaks for cars.
The listing continued, “All four radiator cement packs remain in the original display box with full photos, advertising, and colors still in perfect visibility.”
The Whippet Motor Oil can for $626 is described as the “bold emblem of early automotive culture.”
A 1879 original Americana cast iron jockey is $533.
The item, made by J & E Stevens Cromwell, is even mobile.
The listing reads, “To operate, you place a coin into the jockey’s mouth and press the button by the back feet and the mule will buck him off and the coin is deposited into the bank.”
A Kendall Canvas Banner is $775[/caption]
Customers could purchase a movie poster for $750[/caption]
An Indian Head Radiator Cement Display is $737[/caption]
An oil can is $626[/caption]
This cast iron antique is actually mobile[/caption]
CUSTOMER REACTION
Shoppers have slammed the stores for their expensive items over the past year.
One customer wrote of the Iowa store, “Place is way overrated and overpriced… Highly recommended to stay away from this place.”
A second said, “Overpriced items they found at estate sales that they dust off and then charge 3x the price. And that’s most stores…”
A third shopper ripped, “Super fun place!!! We arrived six minutes before close and the two ladies were in no hurry to move us along. If you are a fan of the show you will see many items that have been on the show.
“It is interesting the price picked is way different than their sale price. Of course they need to make a profit but jeepers. Ended up buying some stuff but wished I could have bought more. Great place to shop and some unique items. Go!”
Another said, “The items that were for sale are very overpriced. But I guess you are paying the price to visit because on the show.”
Mike has been caught marking up the cost of antiques he finds on American Pickers.
A 1947 Humpty Dumpty pinball machine is currently on sale for $1,500.
The U.S. Sun previously reported Mike offered $700 for the item on an episode of American Pickers.
He said on the show, “In 1947, this machine came out and introduced the flipper. Not just two, but six. The subject matter is interesting, it’s Humpty Dumpty, but the adult version of that.
“What would be expected is peeling, you know, pretty aggressively through here. But overall, I mean… It’s not bad.
“The historic value of this machine outweighs the actual value. When you think of how pivotal this machine was for collectors, as far as the evolution of pinball… this machine doesn’t command a lot of money.
“But still, this is the great-great-grandpappy of pinball wizard.”
STORE CLOSING
Mike shut down his Nashville, Tennessee store in April.
“I’ve been so proud to be a part of this neighborhood, this city, and this chapter of life,” he wrote in an Instagram post on Friday, April 18.
“But sometimes, even when something is good, you have to pause and ask yourself where your time is going — and where your heart is calling you next.”
Mike was there to see the store off, as he took photos with customers.
OTHER BUSINESSES
Outside of picking antiques, Mike is the owner of multiple businesses and landlord of properties in Iowa and Tennessee.
The Iowa antique store is across the street from his new vacation rental Two Lanes Guesthouse and blocks away from properties he owns.
The vacation rental is now available for rent after a months-long delay.
He also has a vacation rental in Columbia, Tennessee.
The rental is down the block from his bike shop Columbia Motor Alley and other properties he manages.
Mike Wolfe’s businesses
Mike Wolfe has created a business empire featuring real estate, antique stores, and more.
NEW SEASON
The new season of American Pickers premieres on July 2.
In a trailer, the men “hit the road,” as Jersey says while in the car with Mike, “This is going to be my kind of pick!”
Mike said in another scene, “This is a 1940s Mickey Mantle rookie card. This is millions right?
“They’re getting extremely hard to find!”
Mike’s Le Claire, Iowa store[/caption]
Inside the Iowa antique store[/caption]
