Ep 8. The Mother Load

In American Pickers season 18 episode 8, titled "The Mother Load," Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, the hosts of the series, embark on a mission to find rare and valuable items from unsuspecting collectors around the United States.

The episode begins with a phone call from a potential seller who claims to have an impressive collection of antique signs. Mike and Frank waste no time and travel to Kansas to check out the collection. Upon arrival, they discover that the collection isn't just antique signs, but also includes a vast array of other items, including rare and obscure motorcycle parts, vintage toys, and unusual advertising displays.

The seller, a man named Tom, inherited the collection from his mother, who was an avid collector herself. He explains that his mother loved collecting and had a keen eye for items that would appreciate in value over time. Mike and Frank are impressed and start digging through the large collection in search of hidden gems.

Their search yields several exciting finds, including a unique advertising display featuring a cowboy and his horse, and a rare neon sign from a long-defunct car dealership. Mike and Frank are ecstatic with their finds and begin to negotiate with Tom to purchase the items for their shop.

As they continue to explore the collection, they stumble upon a dark and dusty room that hasn't been touched in years. Inside, they find a treasure trove of old signs, vintage soda bottles, and antique advertising items. Mike and Frank are thrilled with the Mother Load of discoveries they've made and start packing up their finds.

Their day doesn't end there. After leaving Tom's, they visit another collector's home to check out his impressive collection of vintage motorcycles. The collector, Jim, has dozens of antique bikes, some dating back over a century. Mike and Frank go crazy over the unique motorcycles and immediately start negotiating with Jim to buy a couple of them.

The episode ends with Mike and Frank loading up their van with their various finds from the day, excitedly discussing the potential value of their purchases. They have had another successful day of picking, and there's no telling what else they'll find on their next adventure.

Overall, "The Mother Load" is an exciting and action-packed episode of American Pickers that highlights the hosts' skills in discovering valuable antiques and their dedication to preserving history. The collection showcased in this episode is impressive, and viewers will be amazed at the vast assortment of rare items that Mike and Frank uncover. It's an episode that fans of the series and antique collectors alike won't want to miss.