Berta: Okay guys, come on.
There's all kinds of stuff back here.
Jersey jon: There's so much cool stuff here.
Mike: [laughing] I know, I'm freaking!
Danielle: Oh my gosh.
Robbie: Wow.
Betty: This is where cab calloway,
Ella fitzgerald, james brown, stayed because
They didn't have anywhere else.
Jersey jon: It's a war relic.
Mike: Nice.
Jersey jon: Hah!
Robbie: Uughh!
Betty: Someone donated it for a fish sandwich and white beans.
[laughs]
Mike: Jersey... [laughs]
Did you see this?
Is this something...
Whoa!
Jersey jon: [laughs]
Mike: Is that something you guys have had for a while?
Berta: Yeah.
Jersey jon & mike: Wow.
♪♪
[phone ringing]
Mike: There she is. Emily!
Jersey jon: Emily!
Emily: Hey guys!
Jersey jon: Hey!
Mike: What's up!
Emily: How's it going?
You know what? I love jersey on the road.
Jersey jon & mike: [laughs]
Jersey jon: Thanks, emily.
Mike: I love jersey on the road too, man.
So what you got, girl?
What's going on?
Emily: Well, I've got a pick.
It is a mother -daughter duo.
Berta and susan are looking for some help.
Berta's husband, bill, passed away recently,
And this is kind of their first step of unloading some stuff.
Bill and berta were married for over 64 years.
Jersey jon: Whoa.
Mike: Dang, that's awesome!
Emily: Bill and berta actually opened up
Two antique shops in florida.
Back in 2014 is when they closed up.
So they've got a lot of stuff from that.
Mike: Okay.
Emily: And then bill, berta, and susan their daughter,
Went to hershey every single year.
Mike: Ohh, that's cool!
Jersey jon: Cool... [laughs]
Emily: There's a lot of stuff there that I know you'll like.
Mike: Very cool. Send us the address.
Emily: I will. Have fun, guys!
Jersey jon: Thanks, emily.
Mike: Alright, peace out.
Emily: Bye.
Mike: Here we are, we're getting there.
Got their own little compound back here,
It looks like.
Jersey jon: Yeah, look at it.
Live oak trees. Cool.
Mike: Uh-huh. Here, get a flyer, dude.
Jersey jon: Alright. Yeah...
[honks horn]
Mike: Hey-hey!
Susan: Hi.
Jersey jon: Hey.
Mike: You susan?
Susan: I am.
Mike: I'm mike, this is jersey jon.
Susan: Hi, nice to meet you guys.
Jersey jon: Hi, how are you?
Mike: Good to meet you. How're you doing?
Is berta around?
Susan: How are you- good.
Jersey jon: Hi, nice to meet you.
Susan: She is, she's inside.
Mike: Here, hand her a flyer.
Yeah, well this is some of the stuff,
I don't know...
Jersey jon: We buy.
Mike: ...That you guys might have went over it with it.
Were you the one that called or your mom?
Susan: I think mom...
Mom did. You want to meet her?
Mike: Yeah, absolutely, absolutely.
Susan: Come on in.
Mike: This is a nice little place.
Jersey jon: Yeah. Wow...
Look at the barn siding...
Mike: Hey.... Hey berta!
Mike: Hey, nice to meet you, I'm mike.
Berta: I'm so glad to meet you.
Mike: Yeah, this is jersey jon.
Jersey jon: Hi. Berta: Hi. Hi.
Jersey jon: Nice to meet you.
Mike: We gave susan a flyer.
Berta: Oh okay.
Mike: Did you guys restore this place?
Berta: Yeah we did.
Mike: I saw the long garage out there and I was like,
This is definitely a guy that went to hershey.
Emily was telling us you guys all went to hersey together.
Berta: Oh yeah.
Every year we went to hershey, yeah.
Mike: No, so when you say every year,
Like how many years are you talking?
Berta: At least 40.
Mike: Really!
Jersey jon: Wow.
Berta: Oh yeah. Oh yeah.
From the time we were very young, yeah.
Mike: So 40 years, you went there when you
Were a little kid.
Susan: Always.
Susan: Dad was our best friend.
Berta: And he loved going to hershey.
Hershey was our big thing.
Every October, it was always a fun time.
Susan: And he loved it. And he literally walked
A marathon every single day...
Berta: Yeah.
Susan: ...In the mud, and couldn't have been happier.
Jersey jon: We probably saw you at hershey.
Berta: I bet you did.
Susan: Probably did.
Mike: Oh my god, the first time I went there,
Everybody was like, "you can't see it all,
Can't see it all," you know.
Berta: Yeah.
Mike: And there was 11,000 vendors, right?
Jersey jon: Yeah, something like that.
Mike: 11,000 vendors or something like that.
Berta: Maybe you met him.
Maybe you met bill.
Mike: Yeah.
Mike: Collectors spend their whole lives daydreaming
About pieces they're going to discover.
That's what keeps you driven to go out and search
For the things that really bring joy to your heart.
Now imagine being able to do that with
Your daughter and your wife.
It's not a solo journey, it was a journey as a family.
That is what bill did for decades.
Mike: Okay, what- what do you want to show us first?
Susan: I think we should go to the garage.
And that's where my husband, david, is.
Jersey jon: Okay.
Susan: He's organizing stuff, getting ready.
Jersey jon: Cool.
Mike: Nice.
So you guys got some help.
Susan: Yes.
Mike: Very cool.
Berta: Let's go.
Jersey jon & mike: Alright.
Susan: We're selling all this stuff now,
Because my dad passed away about 8 months ago.
It's just time.
Berta: We've sold this property and cleared out the house.
Yeah, we're anxious to sell stuff,
But we're going to take our time and find the right buyers.
We want everything to have a good home.
Jersey jon: Yeah.
Susan: So this was my dad's vision.
These were not here when they moved in.
Mike: Oh this building wasn't here?
Susan: No, just that little cabin was here.
Mike: Oh wow! Look at that, jersey.
Jersey jon: I love the doors, the pecky cypress is amazing.
Mike: ...Purchased that, huh.
Susan: You ready to go inside?
Berta: There's lots to see in here.
Jersey jon: Watch out.
Susan: So you guys, this is my dad's garage.
This is where he initially kept cars.
Jersey jon: Really?
Susan: And then after he sold all the cars,
This stuff came over here.
Mike: Wow, he built all these shelves here?
Berta: Yeah, and there were cars in each bay.
Mike: Oh wow.
Jersey jon: Oh yeah.
Berta: This is bill's world.
Berta: He collected everything.
Susan: He had no money as a child.
And my dad started finding ways to make money
When he was little.
I mean, little.
Because he bought his own first bed,
His own first bike, his own first car.
When he would get something, he didn't want to let go of it.
Jersey jon: It's amazing collection.
Mike: Unbelievable.
Jersey jon: [laughs] lot of stuff in here.
Berta: [laughs] lot of this we moved from florida,
From our antique shop.
Mike: So it's antique shop inventory and
Then it's his own personal collection.
Susan & berta: Right.
Jersey jon & mike: Wow.
Mike: When I walk into a place like this with this much stuff,
There's a primary search and a secondary search.
Primary search, you're looking for all the big stuff,
Obviously the things that really connect immediately;
Secondary search is where you're going in and you're just
Inch-by-inch, searching through it.
Jersey jon: There's so much cool stuff here.
Mike: [laughs] I know.
I'm freaking!
Mike: This is an incredible collection.
Decades of going to hershey, decades
Of going to flea markets.
All the time spent, the miles, the searching.
You know, the ripple effect of one man
Saving something is unbelievable.
Mike: [laughing] did you see this?
Jersey jon: Wow. Back in here...
Whoa!
Mike: [laughs] jersey...
Jersey jon: Hooh! Ah, cannon ball.
Mike: Brass showerhead.
Jersey jon: Look at this, mike.
Mike: I know, I saw that.
Mike: Hey guys, I found some stuff in here!
Jersey jon: Yeah.
Mike: It's like overwhelming, it's so overwhelming.
Jersey jon: There's a lot of stuff, okay?
Berta: Okay.
Mike: Okay, here's, here's, this whole pile I put together here.
Look at this.
This is really cool.
Jersey jon: The "auto refrigerator."
Berta: That is a cool piece.
Mike: That is a unique piece.
Jersey jon: Yeah, that's very unique.
Mike: So this would have clamped, see, onto the car.
Jersey jon: Yep.
Mike: You know, and so...
Jersey jon: You stick your food in there.
And the wind rushing by would keep your stuff cold.
Mike: As soon as the automobile was created,
The first accessories were created.
This auto refrigerator, [laughs] it's really interesting
Because it's canvas, it's galvanized inside.
You can put some water on the top and around the sides and
Then fill it with ice, and that kept your food or beverage
Cold while you were driving down the road.
It clamped on a running board of a bumper system.
Mike: It's a brilliant piece.
I've never seen one before, and if you're showing a car from the
Time period that this was made, this is an awesome accessory.
Mike: Uh... 100 bucks.
Berta: What are you going to do with it?
Mike: I'm going to put it on a car.
Berta: Cool.
Mike: Seriously, I'd totally put this on a car.
Jersey jon: Oh yeah.
Berta: Yeah.
Mike: Are you going to sell it to me for 100?
Berta: Yeah.
Mike: Alright. We're doing it, okay.
Jersey jon: Yep. Awesome.
Mike: I love it. I love it, I love it, I love it.
Mike: Alright, look at this, this is...
Jersey jon: ...This one.
Mike: ...This is the piece.
Arrowsharp axes and knives.
Berta: Oh yeah.
Mike: That's a great piece of advertising.
Jersey jon: Yeah.
Mike: This arrowsharp axes and knives little sign is
Representative of the mohawk tool company from new york.
That was a company that started around the turn-of-the-century,
And people that collect tools are looking
For that advertisement.
Mike: 300.
Berta: Sold, sold, sold.
Mike: Right on. Thank you.
I love it, I love it.
Mike: These are really cool.
These are old westerns.
Berta: Oh yeah, yeah, yeah.
Mike: Got a little girl, that's learning how to read.
Berta: Yeah.
Mike: So I figure if her and I could sit down every night
And read a book...
Berta: Yeah.
Mike: We could probably finish one of these before bed.
Susan: That's sweet.
Mike: So you got 9, and she's 9.
Let's get crazy here and go 10 bucks.
Berta: Meant to be.
Mike: [laughs] alright.
We're doing it.
Boom.
Mike: Okay, so this is super cool.
Berta: I see.
♪♪
Robbie: I cannot believe how freaking cold it is out.
I left iowa to get out of the weather,
And it seems like I drove into it.
Danielle: I'm not even going to argue it,
'cause you're right.
[phone ringing]
Robbie: What's up, woman?
Emily: Are you guys still en route to paducah?
Danielle: Yeah.
Emily: Well, you guys have to go to the metropolitan hotel.
Robbie: Okay.
Emily: It was featured in the green book.
Danielle: Ooh!
Emily: It is amazing!
Danielle: Oh, wait-wait-wait-wait,
I've heard of this place.
Didn't tina turner stay there?
Emily: Yeah.
Ike and the ikettes, ella fitzgerald,
I mean, this place is huge.
Robbie: What!?
Emily: I just spoke with betty, she's had it for
Some years now and actually renovated it.
There are some things that she's willing to part with...
Danielle: Ah.
Emily: ...But I just thought you guys would want to
Go there and try and find out all the history.
Danielle: Awesome, awesome.
I'm down.
Robbie: Awesome...
Emily: Okay.
Robbie: Hey, do me a favor.
Send some heat this way.
Emily: Yeah.
Robbie: Thank ya.
Danielle: Stay warm.
Emily: Okay. Bye.
♪♪
Robbie: Almost there, baby.
Danielle: Paducah is such a small town.
Look, look.
Robbie: It's right there.
Danielle: There it is, there it is.
Robbie: Hotel metropolitan.
Danielle: Oh, that's cute! Look at that.
It's huge.
Robbie: I'm excited.
Danielle: Fun.
Robbie: I'm excited.
Danielle: My goodness.
Robbie: Ohh -ho-ho... Man is it cold out here!
Whoa!
Danielle: Ohh... Can't handle this.
It's insanely cold outside.
Hello, hello!
Robbie: Wow, look at the entrance to this place.
It's killer!
Danielle: And the second we walk through that door - warmth.
Just the feeling of warmth, and those bright walls.
Such a welcoming experience.
Danielle: Betty.
Robbie: Betty.
Danielle: Betty.
Robbie: Hello.
Danielle: Um-hm. [gasps]
Betty: Hi.
Danielle: Are you miss betty?
Betty: I am.
Are you danielle?
Danielle: I'm danielle. Yes.
Nice to meet you.
Betty: Emily told me about you.
Robbie: How are you?
Nice to meet you.
Betty: Nice meeting you.
Betty: The hotel metropolitan is a segregated era hotel
That was restored by my organization -
The upper town heritage foundation.
Betty: It's one of the last historical buildings of
Its time that's still standing in this area.
Betty: Welcome to the hotel metropolitan!
Robbie: Awesome.
Danielle: Yeah, we were told we had to come here.
You talked to emily.
Betty: I have.
Danielle: She's so sweet.
Obviously, we're here picking.
So here's some of the stuff that we're looking for.
Betty: Okay, okay.
Robbie: Emily said you had a few things for sale.
Betty: We possibly have a few things to sell.
We need to raise money to repair our floor.
We don't have a sub-floor, and...
Robbie: Wow.
Betty: This is a great opportunity.
I'm so glad you guys are here.
Robbie: Okay.
Danielle: Right?
Robbie: Awesome.
Danielle: Where do you want to start?
Betty: You want to come on back?
Danielle: Yeah please.
Robbie: Yeah.
Betty: Come on back.
The hotel metropolitan was built by an african-american
Woman named maggie steed.
Maggie wanted to open a hotel,
But her husband thought it was crazy.
So she went to langford and orr
The largest lumber company in paducah,
And asked mr. Orr if he would build the hotel.
Maggie went on to explain that black people
Want somewhere safe to stay, just like he would.
Robbie: Yeah.
Betty: So, mr. Orr said, take this paperwork to your husband,
Get him to sign it.
Day or two goes by, maggie takes him the signed paperwork.
He said, I think we could build that hotel for you.
But when she got home, she was asking god for forgiveness,
Because she signed her husband's name...
Robbie: ...Husband's name... Hotel.
Betty: ...And got the hotel metropolitan built.
Danielle: Oh my gosh.
Betty: This is where cab calloway,
Ella fitzgerald, james brown, ray charles - you name it,
They stayed here, because they didn't have anywhere else.
Danielle: Oh.
Betty: It was called the "respectable" place to stay.
Robbie: Wow.
Danielle: The "respectable" place to stay.
♪♪
Mike: These are pretty cool.
All these reflectors, all this bicycle stuff...
Berta: Uh -huh. Yeah.
Mike: All these glass reflectors.
Jersey jon: Wow. This, this one... This is...
Mike: Now look at this one, jersey.
He's going to freak on this one...
You ready for this one, jersey?
Berta: We're going to have a fight here?
Mike: You're going to, you're going to want to touch that one.
Jersey jon: Ohh...
Berta: Ohh... Ho...
Mike: Look at that.
All new-old stock, never on a bike.
Mike: A lot of these glass reflectors
Are from the bicycle industry.
But some of them are just from the transportation industry,
Whether it's cars or motorcycles,
They would help you mount something to your bike,
Or to your car.
Usually, a license plate, but they're so elaborate,
It's almost like petroliana jewelry,
Because they're just cut like gemstones.
Mike: Some of these are plastic, some of these are glass.
The glass ones have value, the plastic ones not so much.
Jersey jon: Not so much.
Mike: There's not a lot of glass in here. 250.
Berta: Oh bill really liked all of these, uh... 275?
Mike: I'll do that. Thank you. Alright.
Berta: Thank you.
Mike: Like, I'm going to put these next to my bed.
[group laughing]
Mike: I just love this stuff.
Jersey jon: Yeah.
♪♪
Betty: The way the hotel metropolitan got its fame
Was because it was on the chitlin' circuit.
Do you guys know about that?
Danielle: No.
Robbie: Chitlin' circuit?
Betty: It's not a plate of those stinky hog innards.
The chitlin' circuit was a modern day
Underground railroad...
Robbie: Oh.
Betty: ...And people of color-black folks,
Cubans, musicians-would want to travel on the chitlin' circuit,
Because they knew they would be safe.
Danielle: Ah okay.
Betty: They would find places that they could stop at,
Homes that would take them in, restaurants.
Robbie: Okay.
Betty: And the chitlin' circuit eventually evolved into this:
The green book.
Danielle: Oh okay.
Betty: And if you see it, it says,
"the negro motorist green-book."
Betty: The green book was invented by mr. Green.
It was a list of places you could stay,
Restaurants, gas stations,
That were safe, in every state.
And the green book was more, it was a time that you could
Showcase black-owned businesses during segregation.
Betty: If you look there on page 14 of the 1940
Edition of the green book...
Danielle: [gasps] metropolitan.
Robbie: There it is. Yeah.
Danielle: Right there, metropolitan.
Betty: Uh-huh.
Danielle: 724 jackson street.
Danielle: It's so important to remember what people had to
Go through, to get this country where it is today.
It's equally important to remember how
Much further we have to go.
Betty: If you guys have been enjoying this,
I've got some stuff outside, if you want to see.
Danielle: Okay.
Yeah, absolutely.
Betty: You want to see?
Robbie: Lead the way.
Betty: Okay. Well come with me.
Danielle: We're learning so much already.
♪♪
Mike: What do you think of those, jersey?
Jersey jon: They're for like a taxi cab or a hack driver.
Mike: Yeah. Look at this.
Jersey jon: So it's early.
Mike: "public hack," new york city, 1926.
Berta: Yeah.
Mike: Those are cool, man.
What do you think the value of those are?
Susan: Oh wow... That's cool.
Jersey jon: Um...
Berta: Yeah.
Susan: I'd really like to have those,
'cause I lived in new york for 25 years.
Mike: Really?
Susan: [laughs]
Mike: That's awesome, no that's great!
Because your dad found these.
Susan: Yeah.
Susan: I walked through here 100 times
And I had never seen those before.
So that's really cool.
Berta: Yeah.
Susan: You guys, you're making us cry.
Mike: That's okay! That's okay.
Jersey jon: [laughs]
Mike: These pieces are like a crossroads for susan.
It's something from her past, and something
From her father's past.
This is exactly why it's so important to go through every
Piece, because you never know what
That connection is going to be for someone.
It's beautiful.
♪♪
Betty: Man, it's cold out here.
Danielle: Oh it got chilly, huh.
Robbie: Woo!
Betty: And we're going to go the purple room.
This room was built back in the '30s to accommodate
The musicians that came to the hotel.
Robbie: Alright.
Danielle: Okay. Ohh...
Betty: This is where they would play before their gigs.
Robbie: Yeah?
Danielle: And it's purple!
Betty: And it's purple!
Robbie: That's cool.
Danielle: Look at that!
Betty: The purple room had hosted all kinds of people.
Count basie played out [laughs] in the purple room.
Betty: The purple room had it going on.
Betty: This glider was for b.B. King.
B .B. King sat on this glider.
Danielle: Whaaaat!
Robbie: Okay, I got to sit on b.B. King's
Glider right here, ohh...
Betty: [laughs]
Danielle: Ohh... My goodness!
Betty: And he lost his money gambling.
Robbie: I could see him doing a little...
Guitar action here...
Danielle: Yeah...
Betty: Yeah.
He lost his money gambling here in paducah.
And he was sat on that glider,
Outside on the front porch of the hotel.
And people in the community would come
By and throw money up on the front porch.
Robbie: [laughs]
Betty: And that's how he was able to pay off his bill
And leave paducah.
Robbie: Betty nailed it on this place.
She knows the history of everything.
Danielle: I do see something right over here.
These chairs, these theater chairs.
Betty: Uh-huh.
Danielle: I see this row of theater seats.
These would be perfect for a little community space,
A little community garden, a little cute diner.
I mean, these theater chairs can really go anywhere.
Danielle: Is this something that's integral to the building?
Or is this something that you just kind of brought out?
Betty: I think I would... Part with this.
Danielle: Okay. Okay.
Betty: This was donated to us,
And it's not a part of the hotel's history.
Danielle: Perfect.
Betty: Um-hm.
Danielle: What do you think a price on this one?
Betty: Oh gosh, I have no idea.
Danielle: You know, these are great chairs.
The condition it's in, about 150 bucks.
I think this would sell pretty well.
Betty: Okay.
Danielle: Sound good?
Betty: Sounds good. Alright!
Danielle: Alright. Let's do it.
Get that sub -floor in, right?
Betty: [laughs] right, right.
Danielle: One more step to that sub-floor.
♪♪
Berta: Okay guys, come on, there's all kinds
Of stuff back here.
Mike: Oh my gosh.
Jersey jon: Wow. Yeah.
Mike: Wow! Jersey jon: Haha...
Mike: So he was a furniture guy, jersey,
Look at all the furniture.
Berta: Oh yeah.
Jersey jon: Yeah.
Berta: Yeah.
Mike: Wow.
Jersey jon: I see oak, chestnut, pine, mahogany.
I see all these cabinetries.
It's all industrial woodworking,
But from the turn -of-the-century.
Mike: So what were you guys doing in life to
Where you were able to open an antique shop?
Was that what you were doing for a living?
Berta: No, that was just kind of a side, fun thing.
I had retired from merrill lynch.
And bill was a contractor.
Mike: So when you guys both opened the antique shop,
Who was running it the most?
Berta: I was running it.
Mike: Yeah. Berta: Yeah.
[group laughing]
Berta: Bill would come by and say hi, you know.
Mike: What do you- he'd come by and get some
Money out of the register. [laughs]
Berta: But I... It was mainly my responsibility, yeah.
Susan: Dad always said, this is where I am investing my money.
I don't want to put it in the stock market,
I don't trust the stock market.
But I can see a piece, and I can see its value,
And that's where I want to put the money.
Mike: Where were you doing most of your buying from?
Berta: We did really well in pennsylvania.
Mike: When people start to collect,
You know, it's a couple of bucks here,
$5 there.
And then all of a sudden, the quality starts to climb,
And so does the value.
Mike: You look around your garage and you're like,
Wow, I've got about $15,000 worth of stuff here.
You know, so bill understood that relationship early on.
Mike: For me, it took forever, because I was just out
There looking for old bicycles and motorcycle parts,
Because I love that stuff.
But then I started realizing, my collection really
Became my biggest asset.
Mike: Look at those legs, jersey.
Jersey jon: Yeah. Chestnut.
Mike: What time period, do you think?
Jersey jon: That's 1890, 1910.
Mike: Yeah?
David: Alright, the cavalry's arrived. How's it going?
Mike: Hey-hey. Berta: Yeah.
Mike: How're you doing?
David: How are ya?
Mike: We've- we've already heard about you.
David: Nice to meet you.
Jersey jon: How are you? Jon.
Mike: Mike, jersey jon.
David: Hey, how's it going? Nice to meet you.
Jersey jon: Nice to meet you.
Susan: David is my husband.
He came in and organized things, and then he did a lot of
Research to get an idea of what things might be worth.
Mike: So you're getting everything organized?
David: Oh yeah.
Jersey jon: [laughs] lot of stuff in here.
Dave: It's been a feat.
Jersey jon: [laughs] lot of stuff here.
Mike: So are a lot of these display cases from
When you guys had an antique shop?
Berta: Right.
Uh-huh. Uh -huh.
Mike: Okay. 'cause I noticed this one
Right away is very cool.
Jersey jon: Yeah, the wood is cool.
Mike: Yeah, that's- I love, absolutely love that.
Mike: There are a lot of different layers
To the value of something.
One is the story behind the item;
And two is the way it's presented
When you're trying to sell it.
And if it's presented really well,
Things will bring more value.
Mike: Now if you've got some amazing glass display cases
That are from a time period of the items that you're
Showing inside of them, [claps] that's the money shot.
Mike: Would you sell that?
Would you consider selling that?
Berta: I would sell that to you, yes.
Mike: $600.
Berta: $600.
Sold.
Mike: You want to do that?
Berta: Yeah.
Mike: Awesome.
Jersey jon: Alright.
Susan: Wow. That was easy.
Mike: Thank you very much. I know, right?
Berta: Yeah, you'll do well with that, mike.
Mike: Well you guys got so many of these,
These little display cabinets.
I mean, we're constantly looking for tiny
Cabinets to display things, you know.
Berta: Um-hm.
Mike: I like the one on the floor here.
Mike: Any smaller glass display case,
Is getting harder to find, because people
Are not letting them go.
Mike: So when I'm looking at this stuff,
And there are smaller ones that sit on the floor or they're
Countertop, that don't take up a lot of space,
That's the kind of stuff I need in my shop.
Mike: 250.
Berta: I'm thinking 350.
Mike: 300.
Berta: I think that's a deal.
Mike: Alright, I'm in. Alright...
Berta: Only because I like you.
Mike: [laughs] okay.
Thank you. Yeah.
Jersey jon: Look at this cabinet here.
Mike: Yeah, that's cool.
He loves that one there.
Jersey jon: Ogh.
That's a desk organizer.
But the cool part about it, is look at this,
It's got a roll-top.
Berta: Right.
Jersey jon: It's called a tambour.
I'm thinking $125 for this piece.
Berta: That sounds good.
Jersey jon: You think that sounds great?
Berta: I think, yes.
Jersey jon: I do too.
Berta: It's going to get a good home, right?
Jersey jon: It's going to get a good home.
Berta: Yeah.
Jersey jon: I'm going to use this in my office.
Susan: Really? Berta: Good.
Jersey jon: Yeah absolutely, this is going in my office,
Yeah absolutely.
Susan: Aw that makes me want to cry,
That you'd have something of my dad's in your office.
Jersey jon: Yep, absolutely, yep.
I'm going to use this in my office.
Susan: Aw.
Jersey jon: It's- it's a cool piece.
Susan: It was really touching that jersey wanted one of his
Pieces to keep at his office, that he would
Be sitting at every day.
Susan: And that's, that's beautiful to me.
Jersey jon: Thank you, guys.
Susan: Thank you.
Jersey jon: It means a lot to me.
Susan: That means a lot to us.
♪♪
Robbie: Look what I've found!
Danielle: Robbie!
Robbie: Look at that.
Danielle: You need help?
Robbie: No, I got it, I got it.
Danielle: Okay, okay, okay, alright.
Betty: [laughs] robbie: I got it.
Is this one of the sinks from inside there?
Betty: It was here in the purple room.
Robbie: I love the base on it.
Betty: You know, the purple room also
Functioned as a beauty shop.
Robbie: Ah... What?
Danielle: What?
Betty: When, when the travelers came in...
Robbie: That is so awesome.
You trying to tell me b.B. King
Washed his hands in here?
Betty: I believe he did. Robbie: [laugh]
Betty: If he was, look, anybody in the purple room...
Danielle: [laugh]
Robbie: Anybody in the purple room washed their hands in here.
Betty: ... Would have, uh-huh.
Robbie: This is a great pedestal sink.
It's still got the stand on it.
All the faucets are intact,
And there's no cracks or chips in it.
This is a piece of architectural salvage
That we can easily sell in the shop.
People are always looking for these
Type of sinks to repurpose.
Robbie: Is this something you'd sell?
Betty: We're not going to install that again.
To know that if we were to let that go,
That we may be able to put on a section of
The floor and the underpinning...
Robbie: Right, right.
Danielle: Right.
Betty: ...I think it would be well worth it,
And I think everybody involved, the spirits above and passed on
Earth would probably be okay with that.
Danielle: Okay.
Robbie: 250.
Danielle: Ooh!
Betty: Ooh -ho-ho!
Oh my goodness.
Robbie: The story that you're telling,
That I get to retell, that's where the value
Of this comes in.
Betty: Okay. [laughs]
Danielle: True, true.
Robbie: Seriously, it does.
It makes the value of it go higher.
Danielle: It really does.
Robbie: Thank you so much.
Betty: Thank you.
Robbie: And I'm looking at b.B. King
At the top, woohoo!
Danielle: Yay.
Got all kinds of history to that one.
Robbie: Loving this. Yeah!
♪♪
Jersey jon: Whoa... Oh yeah.
Japanese sword.
Oh man, I like this. Late world war ii, probably.
It's a machine -made blade.
Jersey jon: This is a japanese katana.
It's a very important part of the japanese military tradition.
Japanese officers would bring these swords into battle.
Some where family heirlooms, some were machine-made.
Jersey jon: The handle is nice, this would
Have been shark skin in here, actually,
But they didn't use that on the later swords.
It's a nice condition, you can kind of
See the blade's not rusty.
Berta: Right.
Jersey jon: That's important.
Jersey jon: This katana is a mass-produced late-war sword,
Issued by the japanese military.
Jersey jon: It's a really nice piece still,
Because it's a war relic.
And I am interested in buying it. So...
David: Yeah, I actually did some research on that one.
And the research I found on that is $500.
Jersey jon: Yep.
David: I don't know if that's...
Jersey jon: I mean, that sounds about right.
I mean, they're going to go higher and lower depending upon,
You know, who's buying it.
But I'd be interested in it at 300.
I mean, if that something you're willing to do,
That's kind of where I'm at with it.
What do you think?
Berta: Well, I know you have to make money too.
Jersey jon: Yep.
Berta: So, I would sell it to you, jersey, yeah.
Jersey jon: Ah thank you so much,
I really appreciate that.
Berta: Yeah. Deal.
Jersey jon: Thank you.
Berta: Yeah.
Jersey jon: It's a neat thing.
David: Hey, what I would like to know about is in this case.
I didn't really research this piece,
But if you could tell me about it,
That would be great.
Mike: Look at that, jersey.
Jersey jon: Ooh...
Mike: Nice. Jersey jon: Ha!
Jersey jon: It's a really nice black-powder pistol.
Mike: Is this something... Whoa!
Jersey jon: [laughs]
Mike: Is that something you guys have had
For a while?
Does your husband have a lot of guns?
Is that something you've had a while?
Berta: Yeah.
Jersey jon: The best part about it,
It's got a little trigger you pull,
And the bayonet flips out.
That warrants further investigation.
Mike: Uh...
Jersey jon: It's flintlock, it's got the flint on it.
Mike: Where did you find that at?
Berta: I don't remember.
I don't remember that one.
Mike: Let me take a picture of it.
I know a guy we can call, he can give us information.
Jersey jon: Richard, right?
Mike: Yeah, richard.
[photo shutter]
Mike: He's in rock island, illinois.
They have a rock island gun auction company,
And it's like, amazing. Alright.
I'll send these to richard.
David: Hey, I'm going to go ahead and so some work.
If you guys need me for anything,
Just let me know, okay?
Enjoy.
Mike: Okay. Hey, thank you very much.
David: Okay, alright.
Jersey jon: Thank you for your help.
Susan: Thanks, babe. Bye.
Jersey jon: Okay guys, so I found some stuff while
I was digging all through this room,
And I got a lot of great stuff in here.
I'm digging through the drawers,
I found a nice 1928 harley -davidson catalog.
The graphics on it are beautiful, look at that.
See it's got the overhead valve single model in there.
I love literature.
Literature makes my world go round in a restoration on a
Motorcycle, because it showed me what's correct and what's not.
So I could say hey...
Berta: Ah, okay.
Jersey jon: ...What's supposed to be on a '28 harley?
There's the headlight set-up.
So this is a handy piece for me to have.
Not really in perfect shape, the staples are coming apart...
Berta: Uh-huh.
Jersey jon: ...The cover's almost falling off it.
Berta: Yeah.
Jersey jon: These will sell up to like 225 to $250,
If they're in pristine condition.
Berta: Yeah.
Jersey jon: I would go $100 on this one,
It's in pretty tough shape.
Berta: Okay, okay, okay.
Jersey jon: And then I found this cool
Harley- davidson picture.
It shows the sidecar.
I think it's a factory photo, which is neat.
That's like a $40 picture to me.
And we got a pre-luxe oil can- empty.
And I would do 200 for these 3 items.
What do you think about that?
Berta: Can you go a little higher?
Jersey jon: Um... How about 225?
[tense music]
Berta: Alright, that's a deal.
Jersey jon: You think that sounds great?
Berta: I think yes.
Jersey jon: I do too. Thank you.
One little thing, which I was hoping I would
Be able to get off you guys...
Susan: Aww...
Berta: Oh my god... [laughs]
Jersey jon: I can put it on my cabinet
I bought from you in the office.
Susan: How cute would that be?
Berta: I never saw that.
Jersey jon: It would remind me of bill.
Susan: You're sweet.
Jersey jon: And his- and his collection.
Hey listen, I'm not trying to step on your toes.
If you want to keep this...
Berta: No I- no, no.
Jersey jon: ...But I would love this.
Susan: No, it makes me happy to know that if would be with you.
Berta: Oh me too.
Jersey jon: [laughs] yeah.
Berta: Yeah. That's yours.
Jersey jon: Yeah?
Berta: Yeah.
Jersey jon: It's a gift?
Berta: Yes.
Jersey jon: Thank you. You're a sweetheart.
Berta: [laughs] you're welcome.
Susan: That was just so sweet.
Berta: Yeah. [laughs]
Susan: Like that, gosh, he wanted that.
Berta: Yeah.
Susan: That was a sweet moment.
[phone rings]
Mike: Alright richard, did you get the photographs?
Richard (on phone): Yes I did.
Mike: Alright, were they clear enough for you to see it well?
Mike: Whenever we find an unusual or rare firearm,
Richard ellis from rock island gun auction
Is our go- to guy to call.
Mike: What can you tell us about it?
Here jersey...
Mike: Okay.
Mike: This is the biggie right here.
Berta: There you go.
Mike: Whoa. Berta: [laughs]
Mike: Yeah. Jersey jon: Yep.
Mike: Yeah exactly.
Is there a brand on this, or is it just like,
Directly connected to the government?
Mike: What would a gun like this realize at
You guys' auction if you had it?
Mike: Really? Jersey jon: Wow.
Mike: Alright, buddy.
Hey, I always appreciate your knowledge and your passion.
And thank you for getting back with me.
Jersey jon: Thank you, richard.
Mike: Alright. Talk soon.
Jersey jon: Thank you. Mike: Bye -bye.
Mike: That was good.
Jersey jon: Yeah.
Berta: Yeah.
Mike: So these guys have an auction house
In rock island, illinois.
So if it's something that you did want to do something with,
I'm not interested in it for that kind of price,
But I think you would do better putting
It in his auction, you know?
Jersey jon: Yeah.
Berta: Okay.
Jersey jon: It's a wonderful firearm.
Mike: You know.
Susan: Yeah, thank you for that.
Berta: Yeah.
Mike: I think that's the biggest thing out of it.
Jersey jon: Yeah.
Berta: That's good, thanks. Mike: Yeah.
♪♪
Robbie: Lead the way.
Betty: A lot of african-american history is oral history.
And this is one of the rooms that I love talking about,
Because it talks about slavery and what it was to buy a human
Being, and the underground railroad quilt codes.
Lot of people don't know about them.
People made quilts that were displayed out throughout the
Community, and their patterns were used
To help slaves find their routes to freedom.
The first one up there is called the "monkey wrench".
If you saw the monkey wrench, that would let you know that
Something had went wrong and it's going to be called off.
Danielle: Because they couldn't talk to each other.
Betty: That's right.
Danielle: Wow.
Betty: And so if you saw number 3,
The "bear paw", that meant you would find food and water there.
And then the bottom one, the "log cabin"
Meant they were willing to give you lodging.
The codes were used by the conductors.
And the conductors were the people who took
The slaves from slavery to freedom.
Oftentimes, the conductor would go to the lead slave and say,
We're going to leave by water tonight.
Then that meant you had to be by the water
To get to your freedom.
And so the slaves couldn't talk to one another,
But the slave master didn't have an issue with
Them singing. And as you could see along the walls,
There's all types of music that was used during slavery.
But if you heard that song, you were going to
Get your freedom that night, it would be by water.
If you excuse me...
Danielle: Gotcha...
Betty: You would hear something like this...
Betty: ♪ wade in the water ♪
♪ wade in the water, children, ♪
♪ wade in the water, ♪
♪ god's gonna trouble the water."
Danielle: Oh my goodness! Hooh!
♪♪
Mike: I found some shift knobs in here I want to show you.
I'll show you where they're at.
There's like 2 boxes full of them.
Some are shift knobs and some are steering knobs.
We picked this box up.
Alright, let's see here.
So basically, these are all accessory pieces
For cars that are either steering or shift knobs.
Jersey jon: Yeah.
David: Were these for like the spotlights on the cars?
Mike: No, you're just like this on the steering wheel.
Jersey jon: No. On a steering wheel.
Mike: Remember a lot of these cars didn't have power steering
Then, so you could, you could actually steering the car.
Mike: If you've ever driven an old car or an old
Truck without power steering, these granny knobs,
These brodies, these steering knobs,
Are something that can really be useful.
Mike: And they'll have different subject matters like...
Here, this subject matter is a redhead.
Jersey jon: Oh well. Pin-up girl.
Mike: This subject matter is a mallard.
Jersey jon: Hunter.
Mike: Whoever thought of these was a genius,
Because basically you're selling something to somebody,
That they can use, but also they
Can personalize their vehicle with.
Mike: Like here, someone put their wife's face in one.
Jersey jon: Aww.
Mike: Look at that.
This is a perfect example of a life-long collection,
Going to swap meets and every time you saw one,
You bought it.
Jersey jon: Yeah, like you were the steering knob guy.
Mike: Now I've never ever seen so many.
I mean, this is a life-long collection.
These are brilliant!
Mike: And then here's actually a shifter knob.
God, I wish there was more shift knobs.
Jersey jon: Yeah.
Mike: Because it's, it's a lot of steering knobs.
Jersey jon: [laughs] lot of steering knobs.
Mike: The steering knobs are great,
But shift knobs are a little bit more desirable.
Jersey jon: Yeah.
Mike: So what I'm thinking for all of them,
And this is long game, like you know,
Putting 2 or 3 of them out at the same time,
And when you sell those, then you move onto
The next 2 or 3 or 4.
I'd do... 1,800.
David: Would you do 2?
Mike: What do you think, jersey?
Jersey jon: Yeah, I would definitely do 2 grand.
Mike: Okay. 2 grand.
Jersey jon: Yeah.
Mike: We're doing it.
David: Alright. Yep.
Mike: 2,000 bucks.
Jersey jon: You got a lot of here, man.
Mike: Alright, I'm in the steering knob business.
Jersey jon: [laughs] yeah.
Mike: I'm in it.
Jersey jon: Yep.
Mike: I'm in it.
Mike: Jersey.
Jersey jon: What you got?
Mike: Look at that.
Jersey jon: Wow... Wow...
Mike: This is 1935 ford.
But this piece is what's interesting.
I've never seen this.
Mike: This is a ford hood ornament with
An after- market accessory on the top.
And you can see this is factory-made.
It's very different, it's very unusual.
Mike: No it's just war of the worlds looking,
You know what I'm saying?
Jersey jon: Yeah, for sure.
Mike: I've seen a ford greyhound mounted exactly the way this
Piece is mounted, but I've never seen this
Starship enterprise looking deco piece before.
Mike: I'd do 350 bucks on it.
David: Okay.
Mike: I want to pay up for this thing,
Because it's unique, it's different,
And it's just brilliant.
♪♪
Danielle: Ooh.
Betty: This is one of the signs that I was telling you about.
This is the bear paw that was upstairs when we were talking...
Robbie: Oh yeah.
Danielle: The traveler's one, right?
Robbie: Wow.
Betty: Right, right, the quilt code. Come on in.
Robbie: Whoa.
Danielle: Woo!
Robbie: Wow.
What is this building, it's just a catch-all?
Betty: Just the catch-all.
Robbie: Yeah.
Betty: Look we got some chairs.
Danielle: Yeah.
Danielle: There is a whole 'nother row of theater chairs.
Danielle: This set's even better than the last one.
The detail on it's beautiful.
These ones were just a little bit more ornate.
Those can command more money.
Betty: Someone donated it for a fish sandwich
And white beans. [laughs]
Danielle: Oh.
Robbie: Oh it's missing the piece on the end.
Danielle: Ah, but we got it on this side.
Robbie: So it's only got that end. 275?
Danielle: Alright.
Robbie: That fish sandwich and
White beans paid off, didn't it?
Danielle: Right? Betty: [laughs] it did!
Robbie: I'm telling ya.
Danielle: The reality is, we're in this space,
And while normally we're looking for a deal,
This is a situation where we see an opportunity to
Buy some cool stuff, make some money off of it,
But then also make sure that miss betty can
Profit and she can help fix this place.
Danielle: Look at this. Nice green globe.
Could go on a light at the house.
25 on this one.
Betty: Okay.
Danielle: We're good.
Robbie: Betty, I got to ask you a question... I think...
Betty: Yes.
Robbie: ...I think there's a sign down in here or something?
Betty: There is a sign over there.
Robbie: I can see the glimpse of a neon sign.
Robbie: Where did it come from?
Betty: I believe it was owned by this gentleman who
Owned a laundromat at one time in the community,
You know.
Robbie: Here, a local piece then.
Betty: Uh-huh.
Robbie: I'm trying to see if I can get it out of here.
Uggghhaahhh...
Robbie: It's missing the can, it's just a neon skin.
But the skin itself is in great shape.
Robbie: It says "launderers cleaners."
Danielle: Yeah.
Robbie: Standard neon company.
The fact that it says "launderers" on it,
That's what's really getting me.
When was the last time you heard that word?
Betty: In forever. [laughs]
Robbie: Do a 2-color neon on it,
I think we can make some money on this.
Robbie: Condition of the porcelain's actually
In pretty good shape.
One little mark right here.
Is this something that you want to sell?
Betty: Yeah, we're not a launderer.
[laughs] so...
Robbie: You're not a launderer?
Betty: We're okay with letting that go.
Robbie: 700.
Betty: Woo... Let me hurry up and shake your hand.
[group laughing]
Betty: Gosh!
Oh my gosh, yes, yes.
Danielle: Sub-floor might happen.
Robbie: Yeah.
Betty: It was wonderful. I'm still in...
[laughs] shock.
When he offered $700 on it, but...
So appreciative.
Betty: So you pick signs?
Robbie: Yeah.
I have guys that do this stuff for me.
Betty: I've got a sign over here.
It's a sign that belongs to the hotel.
Robbie: Yeah?
Betty: I would like for you to take a look at it.
Robbie: Check this thing out.
Betty: That sign... Was found...
[laughs]
In the building, covered up.
Nobody wanted to fool with it.
Robbie: So it's reverse-painted glass.
It says... "metropolitan house."
Betty: That was another name for the hotel.
Robbie: So it's actually in great shape.
Do you remember this on the hotel?
Betty: No. It was well before my time.
Robbie: Advertising signs to me, the best ones,
Are the reverse -painted glass.
They're very early, they have light bulb sockets inside.
Robbie: This has got bulbs inside.
I mean, it needs to be re-wired, but it-
It's pretty much an easy fix.
This needs to get hung back up.
Danielle: Yeah.
Betty: I would love to, but I can't find anyone that's...
Capable of fixing...
Robbie: Well, I'm going to connect you to the right guys
That can help you get this re-painted on the inside.
Gosh, I can see this thing lit up in its hey day.
Danielle: Right?
Robbie: You need to put this back up.
Betty: I, I want to put it back up.
Robbie: I'm going to get the guys to connect to you.
It's a simple fix.
Betty: Okay. Well thank you.
Robbie: That's a great piece of history there.
Danielle: Isn't that cool?
Robbie: Oh it's so cool.
Robbie: Sometimes I take for granted that I've been in
This industry so long, that a simple fix to me,
Is overwhelming to somebody else.
Robbie: Betty taught me today, the power of a story.
I want to help her get this sign back up on the building.
It's amazing!
Danielle: You need help?
Robbie: No, I got it, I got it.
Danielle: Well hurry, 'cause I need help.
Danielle: I'm so thankful we have
The opportunity to come here.
I'm so glad we had a chance to really understand more about
American history, that we don't get to see every day.
And I'm so thankful to miss betty too,
That she holds this emotional weight every day,
Just so that she can teach us.
Robbie: Betty.
Robbie: Thank you for having us out here today.
Thank you.
Betty: Thank you.
Robbie: Thank you for all the history.
Betty: You're welcome.
Robbie: I love it.
Danielle: Oh! Betty: Oh!
Betty: Having dani and robbie come and
Buy things was a blessing to us.
Betty: Have a safe trip.
Danielle: You too, we'll see you soon.
Betty: Okay.
Danielle: Bye.
Betty: Bye!
Betty: The mission for saving this hotel is to give hope.
Betty: The money that we made today will do a lot around here.
Danielle: Bye betty!
Betty: Bye!
Danielle: Miss you already!
[honks horn]
Betty: Thank you! Bye-bye!
♪♪
Mike: What do you guys know about lincoln?
He's amazing.
Where- where did you find that, do you know anything about that?
Berta: We got him in pennsylvania.
Mike: He's gorgeous, man, I love him, he's cool.
Mike: Lincoln, one of the most iconic american presidents ever
- It's a piece of art.
Mike: It's just got a great look.
Was it at a gallery that you bought it at?
Berta: No. It was like a farm house.
And we just stopped and knocked on the door.
And the guy took us out to his barn, and...
Mike: So you guys were out picking?
Berta: Yeah.
Mike: That's awesome.
Berta: Bill would never sell that.
Mike: Oh he would never sell- he loved this that much.
Berta: Oh yeah.
Mike: Really!
Alright, it says something on the top of his hat.
There's an "n" and an "s"...
It says, "we the people"...
I can barely read the artist's name on the back of it...
Robert.
After that I can't make out...
Do you have any idea what you'd want for it?
Berta: No, I'd have to trust you,
Mike, because I- I don't know.
Mike: Oh man, I mean... Well here's the deal.
It's a piece of art.
And if it's a known artist, then obviously
It's going to command more money.
Without seeing the back of it and being able to read it and it
Being legible, it's difficult to navigate that part of it.
I don't know if it was something that was even mass-produced.
Berta: Hm.
Mike: Um... I'd be a player on at like uh... At like 5.
I'm buying it from a piece of art standpoint.
But to me, it's more about décor and the construction of it.
What do you think, jersey?
Jersey jon: You know, it's like chalk ware,
But heavy-duty.
Mike: Yeah.
Jersey jon: You know, it's like one step up.
I think he's great.
Berta: Would you do 700?
Mike: I'm doing it. I love it.
Jeresy jon: [laughs]
Mike: I absolutely, I mean, I love it.
You know how it is, like when you see it...
Berta: Oh I know! I know.
Mike: ...If you love it, you love it. And I do.
Berta: Okay. Thank you.
Mike: I think it's brilliant.
Bill had an amazing eye.
Berta: He did yeah, he really did yeah.
Mike: I could tell.
Jersey jon: He was one of our people.
He's got the same taste that we have.
Mike: I love him.
I love him.
Jersey jon: [laughs] yeah.
Mike: I do.
I love him. I love him.
Berta: I wish you could have really known him,
I mean, he was- he was pretty special.
Berta: I think mike and jersey are going
To find a good home for it.
So I- I feel good about what we did today.
Mike: Jersey jon, hand me some stuff.
Mike: As a collector, I believe it's possible to give your heart
To a place or an item, the same way you would a person.
And if you're fortunate enough to have a family that encourages
You to follow that passion, then you are truly blessed.
Susan and berta were side by side with bill,
While he was living his dream.
In my opinion, that's what made him a truly wealthy man.
Mike: We did it.
Berta: Mike and jersey were so sincere,
And just so kind and understanding,
And it just made it much easier to part with
Things that meant so much to bill.
Susan: I kind of think that mike and jersey and
Dad were like separated at birth somehow... [laughs]
Berta: [laughs] yeah.
Susan: Because like the way they talked about stuff was
So similar to the way dad talked about things.
Berta: Yeah.
Susan: And it was actually really beautiful for us to see
Them get excited about things that he had been excited about.
So... I'm really glad I got to see that.
Berta: Yeah.
[honks horn]
Mike: Sweet picking!
Berta: Bye!
Susan: Thanks guys.