Collector's Call Season 5, Episode 14: James Zespy: Robots

1

Stewart Berkowitz: TV Props & Costumes

A spotlight on Stewart Berkowitz and his collection of costumes from TV shows.

30 min

2

Shawn Sheridan: Toys

"Monster Party" podcaster Shawn Sheridan is into horror, his wife Gina is all about sci-fi. Together they've made their pop-culture passion a cornerstone of their marriage, as we find out when Lisa joins them in the room they've dedicated to their shared collection of action figures, memorabilia, and more. Shawn and Gina display such treasures as "Galaxy Quest" glasses made exclusively for the cult TV show's crew, and full-size replicas of both the killer doll from "Trilogy of Terror" and Twiki the robot from TV's "Buck Rogers" (who actually talks and shares a few choice words). Lisa brings along toy collector and creator Gavin Hignight, who will put a value on Shawn and Gina's entire collection. But things really get wild when Gavin calls in "Collector's Call" all-stars (and Shawn's co-podcasters) Matt Weinhold and Larry Strothe, for our very first double trade scene!

30 min

3

Kenneth Guinup: Weird Al

Kenneth Guinup's love for "Weird Al" Yankovic goes back to his childhood, when Al's response to his fan letter helped Kenneth through a difficult time. Now Kenneth isn't just a lifelong fan, he's a collector who's assembled a wild and wonderful range of "Weird Al" artifacts, collectibles, and one-of-a-kind treasures, including Al's very first EP, an exclusive jacket given only to "Weird Al's" video team, and a screen-used guitar signed by the entire band. Lisa's brought along Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz, who in addition to being "Weird Al's" drummer is also the band's archivist. Jon will place a value on Kenneth's entire collection, then try to tempt him into a trade for not one, not two, but several irresistible inside-the-band items. And in a special surprise for Kenneth, "Weird Al" himself beams in for a shout-out , and to pass along a very special, very personal gift.

30 min

4

Telina Cuppari: Pizza

You might be hard-pressed to find anyone who loves pizza more than Telina, not necessarily eating it, but collecting pizza related items. Telina found her passion when she was traveling around the world and noticed how everyone, everywhere, can get behind PIZZA. Today the Guinness World Record holder shows off for some of her most offbeat, and some might say, cheesiest pizza items. There's her pizza swag chain, and pizza box from a cult classic movie, not to mention her pizza dress, designed especially for her. Joining us today is John, best known for his toy expertise, but being Italian, and loving pizza, doesn't hurt. After valuating her collection, John will present Telina a trade offer that'll be incredibly hard to top.

30 min

5

Gus Lopez: Star Wars

There are Star Wars collections, and then there is Gus Lopez's out-of-this-world, Star Wars collection. A fan of the space opera since he was a kid, Gus doesn't just collect the obvious, Han Solo's screen-used jacket, one-of-a-kind prototypes, C-3PO's body parts, but there's also the ultimate weapon, you know the one, THE DEATH STAR! So with a collection like that, we had to call Rob Klein, an archivist, pop culture expert and huge Star Wars fan himself, to walk Lisa through this incredible collection and try putting a value on all of Gus's prized possessions. Then, Rob attempts to make a trade with Gus, by bringing him a special Star Wars collectible that may not be familiar to every Star Wars fan, but in exchange, our expert wants something that reminds him of some quality time he and his Dad shared a long time ago.

30 min

6

Jamie Knoll O’Neill: Survivor

A former Survivor contestant herself, Lisa Whelchel meets Jamie Knoll O’Neill, owner of her late father's Survivor collection, the best known in private hands. Survivor Champion Ethan Zohn is today's expert and he's brought something to trade that is truly one of a kind vintage Survivor.

30 min

7

Mark Short: Props and Costumes

Screen used props & costume expert Mark Short shares his own personal collection with Lisa today and James Azrael of the Sci-Fi Prop Preservation Association is here to value Mark's collection. Makes has brought a screen-used weapon that Mark has been looking for to offer in trade.

30 min

8

Robert Baker: Toys

Toy collector Robert Baker has over 30,000 toys to show Lisa today include ones from GI Joe, Return of the Jedi and Dungeons & Dragons. Toy dealer and expert Michael Tomaso will evaluate Robert's collection and offer a rare Star Wars toy for trade.

30 min

9

Morgan Richardson: Theme Parks

Today, we are focusing on his one-of-a kind theme park and adventure park collection. This part of his collection not only takes him back to his childhood but is also present in his real life as a theme park designer.

30 min

10

Mark Flitman: Pop Culture and Career Collector

With everything from a 3D prototype for Nintendo's Game Boy, to the original style guides for The Simpsons and an unreleased Elmo toy; Mark's collection is a great representation of who he is and his career.

22 min

11

Jennifer Klein: Props & Costumes

Jennifer Klein grew up in LA with a dad who worked in Hollywood, and her screen used Props & Costumes collection from TV shows like "CHIPs" and films like "Back To The Future" is stunning. Expert and longtime costume dealer Marcia Tysseling appraises Jen's collection and has brought some classic TV costumes to offer in trade.

22 min

12

Tom Holbrook: Bozo The Clown

Bozo the Clown collector Tommy Holbrook has literally written the book on Bozo collectibles. Appraiser Kate Martin will price Tommy's collection of Bozo costumes, Spin-A-Wheel and vintage makeup kit. And new Bozo owner David Arquette drops by to thank Tommy for preserving the Bozo legend.

22 min

13

Joe Salzburg: Automobilia

Automobilia collector Joe Salzburg has been collecting all things cars since childhood and now has over 20,000 items in his collection. Toy and car expert Joel Magee appraises Joe's collection and offers a vintage slot car set in trade.

22 min

14

James Zespy: Robots

Collector Zespy oddball collection of the quirkiest robots ever assembled range in size from the tiny, Telecoma action figures from Japan that transform into licensed food products, to the life-sized, a fully functional animatronic canine rock band. Lisa's brought along pop-culture appraiser and auctioneer Mike Boerschinger to put a value on Zespy's collection, after which Mike will try to tempt him into a trade.

22 min

15

Lisa: Dolls

Collector Lisa's extreme passion for dolls has led her to assemble one of the most extensive collections we have ever seen - over 30,000 dolls. Lisa has everything from Barbie dolls to horror dolls. She will show Lisa Whelchel some of her favorite pieces, including an original Chrissy doll, a Medusa Barbie doll, and a Fashion Royalty doll. She will be joined John Ragusa, owner of the Imperial Castle Toy Shop outside of New York City. John will take a closer look at Lisa's dolls and put a value on the whole collection. He will then offer Lisa one of the only dolls missing from her collection for a unique item of hers. But Lisa has said she would never trade any of her dolls. Will this be a first?

22 min

16

Chris Christian: Movie Props & Costumes

Legendary music producer and performer Chris Christian has racked up four Grammys and countless gold records but his collection of props and costumes from classic movies and TV shows brings Lisa out to visit him. Lisa's invited expert appraiser Greg Holman, whose experience includes work for Heritage Auctions, to place a value on Chris's seemingly priceless collection; and then, even more dauntingly, to propose a trade for something he's brought along. The show is also a heartwarming introduction for Chris and Lisa, two Texans who have traveled in the same circles for decades, mutually aware and respectful of each other without ever actually meeting -- until now.

22 min

17

Doc Mack: Arcade Games

Doc Mack is the owner and proprietor of Galloping Ghost, the world's largest video game arcade, a place so massive it generates 19 separate electric bills. Lisa gets a private tour of the gallery's many vintage treasures and rarities, learning the meaning, and value, of “shmup” (shoot-’em-up) games like Turkey Shooter and Blaster. She also checks out the ultra-rare Primal Rage 2, which never made it to market, and gets a privileged look at the Sega R 360, an actual flight-simulator module where the player is spun, flipped, and rolled while engaging in game-play, Doc’s being the only one available to the public anywhere in the world. Doc’s friend and colleague, Zespy, a video game aficionado and owner of his own arcade, is on hand to set a price on Doc's unparalleled collection, then to try to tempt him into a trade. Will he hit on something Doc actually doesn't yet have? And what will he ask for in return?

22 min

18

Grant Deporter: Pop Culture & Sports

As the owner of Chicago Sports Museum, Grant DePorter has taken his two passions, sports, and pop culture, and created a sports-lover-pop culture paradise. DePorter shows Lisa some of his one-of-a-kind sports collectibles like the basketball hoop where Michael Jordan hit his last shot to win his 6th NBA championship, He also has the cursed Cubs ball that some say, cost the Cubs the chance to go to the 2003 World Series. Grant subsequently destroyed that ball and proudly displays its carnage in his museum. Our expert today is Scott who deals and collects sports memorabilia himself. He'll check out Grant's museum, appraise Grant's championship-like collection and try making a trade with him. But Grant better stay on his toes. Scott's going for the jugular, offering our collector an item from his favorite movie, but in exchange, Scott wants one of Grant's museum pieces that'll be almost impossible to replace.

22 min

19

Shelley Jobe: Goofy

As a collector, Shelley Jobe isn't goofing around. Except, she really is. In fact, she holds the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of memorabilia devoted to Walt Disney's Goofy. The middle-school art teacher invites Lisa into her home to see her dazzling range of items devoted to the beloved character, from a vintage lawn-mowing Goofy to a one-of-a-kind marionette, with plush pillows, squeaky toys and more in between. Lisa's brought along professional appraiser Josh Johnson, who will put a price on Shelley's entire collection, and then tempt her to trade for a vintage treasure from his own personal Disney collection. Also, Shelley gets a surprise message, and a special gift, from Bill Farmer, the longtime voice of Goofy in Disney animation!

22 min

20

Marla Mogul: Wind Up Toys

Marla Mogul has collected so many of her beloved wind-up toys that she landed in the Guinness Book of World Records. She will show Lisa the very first one she acquired, a Vail ski bunny, as well as her Marvel, Disney, and Peanuts characters windups.

22 min

21

Wally Wingert: Props & Costumes

Voice actor and puppeteer Wally Wingert has a joyful obsession with the pop culture of the '60s through the 1980s, so much so that he's turned his Los Angeles home into what he calls 'Wallywood'.

22 min

22

Shon Abrahamson: Pearl Jam

If you like Pearl Jam memorabilia, you won't find a "Better Man" than Shon Abrahamson to show you his collection. Shon fell in love with the grunge band back in the 90's and has been collecting ever since, even building a museum like structure on his property to store all of his one-of-a-kind memorabilia, Today, he'll show off his Eddie Vedder's autographed guitar, as well as a a surfboard signed by the whole band, proving there is almost nothing Pearl Jam that Shon does not have or will not do to aquire it. We have with us today, Eric, an expert on the northwest music scene who can more than keep up with Shon's grunge band knowledge. He'll appraise Shon's collection and offer a trade only the most passionate Pearl Jam fan's could ponder...

22 min

23

Christopher Lee: LEGO

The name Christopher Lee has become synonymous with LEGO. As a collector, builder and LEGO Masters champion, he pretty much knows about, built or has collected it all. Today, he’s invited us to his home where we’ll check out his phenomenal collection which includes the iconic Galaxy Explorer, his beloved Airport Shuttle, not to mention his truly one-of-a-kind Prototype Factory Bricks. Our expert Aaron Fike, who owns a few LEGO stores himself, will be tasked with trying to appraise Christopher’s collection and then come up with a LEGO trade worthy enough to convince our collector to “LEGO” of one his favorite collectibles.

22 min

24

Ilene Wood: Handbags

Ilene Wood brings a new meaning to the term "bag lady." Over the course of a lifetime, she has amassed over 6,000 handbags that require their own military-grade storage unit -- many of which have traveled in exhibitions through esteemed art museums worldwide. Today, she guides Lisa through handbag history: including a suitcase popularized by Rear Window (1954) and Grace Kelly, a lantern purse from the 1940s that still lights up to this day, and of course, the highly coveted Birkin bag. To appraise this priceless collection, Lisa has brought along expert and luxury goods appraiser, Graham Wetzbarger, and he has come ready to trade with a surrealist Chanel tote in exchange for a rare Dior bag that's making a trendy comeback.

22 min

25

Berry Bell: Jukeboxes

When Berry Bell started his career as a disc jockey, he never imagined his love of music would lead him to collect dozens of jukeboxes. Now, he owns 32 of the original, highest quality machines ever made. He will show Lisa everything from a 1956 Wurlitzer 2000, considered the holy grail of jukeboxes, to the first 200 play jukebox ever made to a vast number of 45s dating back decades. Lisa is joined by jukebox appraiser and auctioneer Mike Boerschinger, who will determine the value of the entire collection and then offer to exchange one of the biggest and most beautiful jukeboxes he owns for one of Berry’s most treasured music machines.

22 min

26

Rudy Munis: Masks

Rudy Munis's fascination with Halloween masks began when he was just a child. As he got older, his interest in the masks grew. Today, he has a one-of-a kind collection of vintage Halloween masks. Rudy will show Lisa one of the rarest of them all, a Zombie doll mask, three masks from the one of the "Halloween" movie installments, and a "smooth" Frankenstein mask. Rudy Is joined by movie props and costumes expert Mark Short, who will shock him with the estimated value of his entire collection. Mark will also offer to trade his master mold for one of the most infamous horror movie characters in exchange for Rudy's master mold of a science fiction icon.

22 min