Pawn Stars

Hi everyone,
I just got back from Vegas where I shot 2 episodes of Pawn Stars.
If you are not familiar with the show, it is like Antiques Roadshow comes to the pawn shop. This is currently the number 1 rated show on the History Channel.

The premise of the show has people bringing in their historical artifacts and getting them appraised by the experts. Once the item is authenticated and a value has been established, the pawn shop customer has the oportunity to negotiate a fair price with the owner of the pawn shop, Rick. If the price is agreed upon, they do some paperwork and the customer gets cold hard cash.
I was called to appraise a Plug 8, McKenzie Mitts, and a nice ball and chain. Two items were sold and on one item, the customer walked. I appraised one item off screen and the remaining two were done with an on screen interview.
I will post some pictures here soon and will advise on the air date which will probably be around the end of the year. The producer and his crew were very talented and such a pleasure to work with. Their professionalism is in direct proportion to the show's appeal and success.

It was a GREAT experience and I saw lots of very cool (unrelated to the hobby)antique artifacts from all over the world. The shop has very interesting items like a large collection of Super Bowl rings, coins, artwork from famous artists, and tons upon tons of jewelry. People were bringing in swords, military items and one guy even brought in an old propeller that Charles Lindbergh signed. These items will appear on the show about the same time as the items that I appraised.

They have a bouncer stationed at the door and he commented on the Mitts. He thought that they were hands down the best item that was ever presented on the show so far. This guy sees everything too! I was glad that restraints were featured on this hit show and the world will get to see one of the most unusual restraints ever made!

Thanks goes out to Stan for providing me with his tally on the Mitts. You made me look good!

Mark
O--O

Hey Mark.

Thanks for the "heads up" ..

I will be looking for the cuffs episode.

Mark---Good for you and good for the hobby. It's a great show. Anyone who has worked a business with a son or a dad should get a kick out of it. I wondered when a restraint would show up. I'm glad it wasn't a pair of darbys with a brass plate from San Quentin. Please post when your piece will air. I hope to meet you in person at the convention.

Damon

Mark

Very nice! A star is born.

Joe

Nice going, Mark.

Looking forward to watching the episode.

Hey Mark, when exactly when were you there? I was in Vegas for The ALOA convention in mid August, and I visited the pawn shop a few times. The show (as it appears on tv) is amazing, however I felt the visit to the shop in person, was kind of a let-down. The place seems huge on tv, but is only the size of my living room

I guess I expected to see more antique related items like are depicted on the show. Anyway Congrats on the opportunity to be a guest appraiser!

Take care! --Vince

Hi,
Thank you for the kind words!
I taped last Wednesday 9-9-09.
Sometimes they don't sell the item, sometimes a buyer is available, and sometimes....well anything can happen.
The place is huge, but most of the space is devoted to storage, back offices, and jewelry repair. There is a lot of stuff going on....a virtual beehive.
There is some cool stuff but you have to look hard. They are mostly about jewelry.

If you are in Vegas, stop by and check them out. Gold and Silver Pawn Shop-713 Las Vegas Blvd South. 89101. Ph 702 385 7912. Say hi to Chum Lee for me.
They are nearing the end of the season, so it will be quiet in a week or two.
You can hang out and watch all that goes on and you do not need an invitation. You can call and they will tell you when they are taping.

I had so much fun there.
I may be back to do more next season.
Thanks for your interest!

mark
O--O

Hi Everyone

I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving (I did) and to my International friends, you should consider celebrating this holiday....you don't know what your missing.
Anyway, to get to the point, I just received my air dates for the show.
Dec 21st SHOULD be the Ball and Chain episode and the following week (the 28th) the McKenzie Mitts episode SHOULD appear.
If they have some problems along the way, the shows might air a week or two later.
I saw the season premier last night and although I was not on either of the 2 new shows, my name and my business name were listed in the closing credits.
Your name in lights is always a good thing!

I am looking forward to seeing this in 3 weeks and hope I will have the opportunity to shoot more episodes.
I also hope this advances the interest in our hobby.
Those of you that are my Face Book friends will get reminders and more pictures.

Please save the date and let me know what you think

Happy Holiday Wishes to all of you in the meantime.

mark
O--O

Hi,

The episode "Hot Air Buffoon" aired last night. The boys buy a hot air balloon and perhaps spend more than they should have.
While the mitts were not mentioned in the episode guides, I think it will generate some interest from those that saw the show.
I hope many of you had the chance to see it.
If not, it will be on a few more times this season. You can check your TV Guide for more airings, but it should be on again this Thursday at about 10: or 10:30 PM.
The other episode I was on (Ball and Chain)should be on Monday the 21st.
I have looked to see if the show can be viewed from an online stream, but I have not been successful in finding a source for that yet.
I hope you enjoy!

mark
O--O

I saw it last night, and was pleased. Those were a nice looking set of McKenzies! Has the shop now been added to the Canonocal List of McKenzie Mitt Owners?

It's got to be fun to be an "acknowledged expert."

I compiled the list of known Mitts, and the pair on Pawn Stars was already known to me and was on the list.
Stan

Nice job, Mark Lyons!

So, what's become of those Mitts...are they still there?

Looking forward to your "ball & chain" episode.

The McKenzie Mitts episode has appeared on YouTube for anyone who did not get to see it:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Sve1Non-T0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr3jWydXBRE

episode 5 pt 2/3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr3jWydXBRE

Howdy Mark,

I personally want to thank you so much for doing the show. It is my favorite show and because of watching it I have been infatuated the last week or so with antique handcuffs and restraints. See I jumped out of my seat when I realized that I had a pair of McKenzie Mitts and I never would have know it had it not been for your showing!! I have since been doing my research and thanks to you and Stan Willis I have one hell of a story to tell at Christmas dinner this year.

Thank You Much,
Joshua

Excellent!,

I am glad that I sparked some interest in the hobby.
I would love to hear the story that you will tell at the Chistmas dinner table.
What time is the dinner and where shall I meet you?
I hope you will post a picture of your gems here. I am glad that Stan knows about them and has them documented in his tally.
Please do share you McKenzie story with all of us here. We love a good cuff story!

The show was fun to shoot and the noteriety I received after it aired is equally pleasant.
I have been enjoying the 30 seconds of fame I am receiving and know I have 14 minutes and 30 seconds left of it.
The ball and chain episode should be on this Monday or the next.

Please contribute any restraint based info you wish to share with us here.
Thank you for the kind words and the kudos.
Happy collecting and Happy Holidays!

mark
O--O