LIBBY CALLAWAY has contributed to widely regarded magazines and newspapers, including the
New York Post, where she was employed as a writer and editor;
Glamour, where she was a fashion advice columnist;
Conde Nast Traveler; Travel + Leisure; Self; BlackBook; and
Nylon. She holds a master's degree in Cultural Reporting & Criticism from New York University. She lives in Nashville.
MEET THE "PICKERS" Mike Wolfe
A lifelong "picker," Mike has been combing through junk since the age of four. Over the years, he's earned a reputation as one of the country's foremost foragers, traveling coast to coast in search of forgotten treasures. Where other people see dilapidated barns and overgrown yards, Mike sees potential goldmines packed with rare finds and sensational stories.
Mike spends as much time as he can on the road, usually with Frank - his friend of 30 plus years and picking partner-in tow. "A picker's kind of like a nomad," he explains. Wherever they go, the two guys unearth hoards of unique items and spend some quality time with the offbeat characters who own them.
What exactly does Mike look for? "Anything I can make a buck on," he laughs. That could be anything from antique baby carriages and vintage jukeboxes to old cars and scrap metal. Mike's clients include interior designers, art directors, photographers and collectors - and he owns Antique Archaeology, a specialty shop that sells antiques, vintage items and more in sleepy Le Claire, Iowa. Frank Fritz
Like his childhood friend Mike, Frank started picking early, collecting rocks and beer cans as a kid. He worked for many years as a fire and safety inspector but always had a passion for antiques, junk and anything with an engine. These days, he spends most of his time on the road with Mike, digging for treasure in barns, garages and junkyards across America.
Even-tempered and affable, he has a way with potential sellers and a knack for putting out fires: Mike calls him the bearded charmer. Frank does get a little carried away, however, by anything with an engine, and Mike often has to talk him out of buying yet another motorbike for his collection.
With their complementary personalities and shared love of picking, Frank and Mike make the perfect team. Still, since they're both out to cash in on their finds, some healthy competition always comes into play.
Danielle Colby
While the guys are out picking, Danielle holds down the fort at Antique Archaeology - Mike's store and base of operations. She spends her time talking to buyers, packing up shipments and keeping Mike and Frank in line, while they keep her in stitches with their antics and jokes. Mike likes to say she's the glue that holds them all together. A mother of two, Danielle is always working on a new creative project, whether it's painting, designing clothes or selling vintage-inspired gifts online. She feels extremely proud of the "boys" and fortunate to work with such a talented pair.
LIBBY CALLAWAY has contributed to widely regarded magazines and newspapers, including the New York Post, where she was employed as a writer and editor; Glamour, where she was a fashion advice columnist; Conde Nast Traveler; Travel + Leisure; Self; BlackBook; and Nylon. She holds a master's degree in Cultural Reporting & Criticism from New York University. She lives in Nashville.
Reader Reviews
Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz are pickers and this is their book. If you are not familiar with their TV show, this does not mean they pick crops; but they find the more unusual and rusted `antiques' that are lying in wait in people's homes, basements, attics, barns and junkyards. They get down and dirty and do not mind a bit of, or even a lot of rust and mud. This is a revelation if you have not seen the show and an education too. If you are already a fan of the show you would probably enjoy reading of their adventures, even if you have seen them. They give tips on how to find treasures in trash. Sometimes it is hard to tell what part of the country they are in and who exactly they are dealing with, even who is doing the narrating, but it is still interesting. They do jump from region to region within a few paragraphs on many occasions. There is a section of black and white pictures of them on their travels; but what is missing is an illustration of the flyer they leave with their sellers and on bulletin boards of what they want - that would have been enlightening. This is still fascinating reading, even if it is a repeat of what you have seen; because of all the information on the collectable market today and even how it has changed and possibly where it is going, even the types they do not specialize in. The tips on buying and searching and the give and take of bargaining is of interest to all who have collections or know of someone who does.
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