Every once in a while, the Antique Archaeology Team unloads some picks that don’t look anything like motorcycles or metal signs off the Picker van. We’re talking creepy picks. Sometimes Mike’s taste tilt towards the unusual. (Like that one trip to upstate New York when he returned to our Nashville location with a load of clown heads and a gigantic old clown suit!) It’s only appropriate with this Halloween, that we share some of the most spooky antiques that the Master of Junk has resurrected on American Pickers.
Scroll down if you dare…
Mike picked this famous Frankenstein bust and pair of hands in Michigan from an older collector. These plaster pieces were created by the studio in the mid-1930s and distributed to movie theaters across America to promote the “Frankenstein” movie. The theaters would have a dummy that they would but it would sit in a lobby. it was easy for the studio to send the heads and hands and the team would have to assemble and create the body.
When it comes to art, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Who knows what magic hypnotized Mike to purchase this menacing demon. An important detail that American Pickers fans will recall is that the demon’s face is not on traditional canvas like wood or paper — but a VW hood! This red devil currently for sale resting high above customers at Antique Archaeology Nashville… watching…
Wolf Boy is undoubtedly one of the most famous picks in “American Pickers” history. He was displayed at circus shows as an attraction and was created by sideshow artist, Homer Tate. (Read more about Homer HERE!) Wolf boy is currently resting in his wooden coffin at Antique Archaeology Nashville. — Just don’t tape on the glass display that covers him… once he wakes up he is impossible to lull back to sleep.
Mike found Gypsy Grandma, a fortune-telling, coin-operated machine from the 1940s and 1950s, inside a Louisiana warehouse amongst self-playing piano and gabbling gumball machines. Feed her a dime, ask a “yes” or “no” question, then watch her reach over to open a cabinet where she’ll grab your fortune and drop it into a pot for you to read. Careful what you ask for…
Does anyone recognize the clown on the left? You saw it on Season 7 when Mike purchased it in upstate New York. The paper mache clown head used to be propped atop a circus sign to greet the audience. The Bozo clown head on the right was off that same pick.
While pickin in Flordia, Mike uncovered a retired eye doctor’s eye-popping collection of optical-related antiques — including these glass eyes. If you look at them long enough you’ll swear one blinked at you…
Is there a spooky pick from the “American Pickers” we missed? Let us know in the comments below.
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Love that you guys are saving the history and stories of Americana! Love the stuff ya’ll get and make available to those of us who love the old stuff but don’t have the time to search merica ourselves. Keep up the good work!
P.S. Frank stop being so tight!
This really doesn’t have anything to do with the blog, directly. I want to complement you on the repectful way you handle the people you deal with on the show. Watching the clip of the AMC dealership. Not only did you handle the father and soon with honor and dignity, the videographer, showed the father-son relationship in a very beautiful way. Just small clips of the father and son. Hats off to you.
Mike,
First, congratulations on 15 yrs.
First time I saw your show I was hooked!
I think it is most because of the way you handle the people and yours and Franks personalities. The education factor is tops also. I think others would agree that your job would be very cool to have but I also realize it is actually very hard work. I visited your Nashville shop and consider that off my bucket list…Iowa next?
Mike the dental mold tool is actually a mold of a person’s mouth mounted on what’s called a Dental Articulator. I appears to also have a full set of old upper & lower dentures. I used to own a Dental Lab and when making crowns, caps & dentures, an articulator was always used after you poured a model of the person’s mouth. After the dental stone cured, the replica of their mouth was then mounted onto an articulator to give the technician an accurate account of the person’s mouth.
Very cool thanks for sharing! We are all fascinated with it!!
Wow! Thanks letting us know, Christy! How cool.
Hiya, I watch you on Dave in the UK so maybe i’m a year behind, there is a very tame and corny version of your pickin’ travels here called Shed n Buried which in my opinion is crap. Why not do a US- UK pickin swop with both shows creators? Could be interesting?
Ron.P
UK,
Hiya, here#s an idea, would you dare to pick a Ghost Adventures location ( if it’s rusty an’ crusty of course) while they’re setting up in the daytime?
Ron.
UK.
Been a Fan since you started. Great show. Entertaining & Educational. Keep up the good work !
I Love you guys and Danielle too!! This is my favorite show, I love seeing what you’re gonna pick next.
Congratulations!!!
Sandra Suro
New York, NY
Just want y’all to know that I watch every show & many reruns. One of my favorite shows! I like all the things y’all collect! These are cool things & great Halloween ideas! Keep on picking & letting me enjoy! Y’all Come back to Ga, want y’all to come by my house!
Hay ya , Always enjoy watching those Barn finds.
The Best out there lies in the most challenging
Of places. You guys are having sowww much fun!
Sure wish I could in your back pocket!
Come back to North Texas area and dive in my overstuffed garage waiting. Happy 15th. And Scary days of fun.
FRANK+MIKE, LOVE YOUR SHOW. I WAS BORN IN IOWA IN 1952. LIVED ON A FARM UNTIL I MOVED TO LAS VEGAS IN 1968. I STILL BELIEVE THE NICEST PEOPLE IN AMERICA COME FROM IOWA. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. GO HAWK EYES!!!!! STEVE
I’ve watched every show I can find.
I’ll stop by the store if I get up that way
Do you put stuff on the internet?
If so what’s the url
Thanks
Love the show keep up the good work
Jim
Thanks Jim! Picks go fast — that’s why we only offer them in store. Gotta come pick us in person. 😉 See you soon!
Thanks for sharing the spooky Halloween finds. I agree with the previous comments about how sincere you are in handling people selling their life collections. And the education factor is why I watch. I especially liked the vintage Americana paper mache Jack O Lanterns you bought one time, a whole lot of them from one pick. You didn’t show those!!
I love the show, but when I get to this site, I am a little frustrated that I can not find your inventory. You have so many things is there a location I can go to, to find what is actually being picked. This site only seems to have your self promotion items. Also if I am looking for a potential find ( like a head badge for a 1940 Plymouth )
Thanks I would love if you would be able to respond
Thank
Dan
Inventory moves fast. (Not a bad problem to have!) Because of that, we only have picks available in store on a first come first serve basis. Both stores are replenished every 2 weeks.
love the Oddfellows picks…
What about the carnival dead lady on display. That was pretty creepy.
Love the show. You probably don’t make the names and addresses available of people you pick, but I see you pass on some old vehicles I wouldn’t mind buying.
You’re correct. For their safety, we do not share that information.
I don’t think I saw the antique tin/metal pumpkin lantern. It was was a handle. think a candle would have been 0laced inside…not so scary but a really nice piece!
LOVE the show,even watch re-runs. You guys are very respectful with people and they warm up to you for that reason. You have so much patience, I admire you for that. Keep up the good work!!!
Thanks for the work you do! It is so important to preserve our history. Love the show! I’ve watched since the pilot!!
Mike thanks for being yourself. I love in Daytona Fl.Grew up in southern In. You ARE a terrific dude. Remember all Your famous one liners.Hanging in there like a hair in a biscuit was funny.Stay well Frank and Mike.Danny and all.Frank E
LOVE your show . Like You , I really get into Antiques , Junque and Just plain Junk . I have some good stuff and I’m still waiting for you and Frank to come see me in Eclectic Alabama when you are out this way . Believe me , that would really make this old 81 year old G-G-Grannys day . Love y’all and God Bless All .
Love that VW hood demon..really needs to go on a Beetle..how about it Mike? Great promo for the show to cruise around in that bad boy.BTW..like you..I have a split screen single cab pickup ( 1966). Love the show and hope to meet you and the crew if you come to Sonoma.( I worked on TV for a longtime and came up with the phrase ” Champagne Wishes and Caviar dreams” when I was a writer/reporter/ producer for “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” in the 80’s.
Creepiest pick location Of All Time was Moleman Dave’s underground lair in Pennsylvavia. Watched the 4-year return episode last night. I realize we are talking about a guy’s home, so all due respect- everyone’s different, but when I have weird dreams, they take place in someplace not terribly different than that.
Whatever happened to the pumpkin with a stick? You know, the pumpkin that you were supposed to place a candle in and carry around with you? I loved that pumpkin! Hope you didn’t sell it.