Ep 10. Blockbuster Buys

In American Pickers: Best of season 3 episode 10, titled "Blockbuster Buys," the two hosts, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, are on a mission to find unique items that will add to their large collection. The show, which originally aired in 2011, features the duo traveling across the country to meet with collectors and hoarders in search of one-of-a-kind treasures.

The episode begins with Mike and Frank stopping at a flea market in rural Indiana. They come across a seller who has an old movie theater sign that piques their interest. The sign, which once hung outside of the now-defunct Houdini Theater, is a large rectangular box with bold letters that spell out "Houdini" and "Now Playing." The seller tells Mike and Frank that he purchased the sign at an estate sale and has been holding on to it for years. The duo negotiates with the seller and ultimately purchases the sign for a reasonable price.

The next stop on their journey takes them to a collector's home in Illinois. The collector has a massive collection of toys, including a large number of vintage Star Wars figurines and vehicles. Mike and Frank are impressed by the collector's impressive collection and begin to browse through the boxes of toys. As they're looking around, they spot a vintage Atari video game console, which they quickly snatch up.

Their next stop is in Missouri, where they visit a collector who has an extensive collection of vintage music memorabilia. The collector has posters, signs, and old vinyl records from some of the biggest names in music history, including Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones. Mike and Frank express their admiration for the collection and manage to find a few items that catch their eye. They ultimately purchase an old Rolling Stones poster and an Elvis Presley record for their own collection.

The last stop on their journey takes them to a small town in Iowa, where they come across an old drive-in movie theater that's still in operation. The owner, a man named Bill, has been running the drive-in since the 1970s and has amassed a large collection of movie memorabilia over the years. Mike and Frank are in awe of the collection, which includes old movie posters, ticket stubs, and even an old popcorn machine. They negotiate with Bill and ultimately purchase a few items, including an old ticket stub from the 1950s and an old popcorn machine that's still in working condition.

Throughout the episode, Mike and Frank showcase their expertise in identifying and valuing rare items. They also demonstrate their bargaining skills as they negotiate with each seller to ensure that they're getting a fair price for the items they purchase. As always, the duo's banter and good natured-squabbling make for an entertaining watch.

Overall, American Pickers: Best of season 3 episode 10 is a must-watch for fans of the show and anyone interested in vintage memorabilia. The episode is a testament to the thrill of the hunt and the joy of discovering unique treasures.