Pawn Stars Pawn Shop - On The History Channel

Watching Pawn Stars on the History Channel has been entertaining, educational, and intriguing. This show features a real Las Vegas family run pawn shop featuring owners bringing items into the shop to be sold.

The characters of the show are definitely entertaining, learning the history of many of the items has been educational, and anticipating what items will be on the show, where they came from, and what they are worth has definitely been intriguing.

Watching as a family, we can all enjoy the Harrison family and "Chumlee" as they entertain us with their banter and quick conversations all while we're learning many facts about our nation, collectibles, and the art of negotiating.

The negotiating is intriguing to watch. After an item is reviewed by one of the family members or an outside expert, the customer is asked if they want to sell or pawn the item. If they want to sell it they are asked what they were looking to get out of it. This then starts the negotiating stage of their interaction which we've found equally interesting to see what the item will finally be purchased for, if at all.

We're entertained by the cast of the Pawn Stars Pawn Shop including family members Richard Harrison, Rick Harrison, Corey Harrison and Corey's childhood friend Austin "Chumlee" Russell.

Richard "Old Man" Harrison founded the company in 1988 after a US Navy career and large real estate losses. Moving his family to Las Vegas, Nevada and opening the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, he learned quickly the business that today is a success and welcomes upwards of a 1000 visitors each day.

Rick Harrison known as "The Spotter", is the main character of the show. He earned his nickname being able to spot items that are fake or stolen. Having been involved in the business since the age of 13, and generating enough money to partner with his Dad in the business at 23 years of age, Rick skills and knowledge are valuable assets he draws on each show.

Corey "Big Hoss" Harrison either appears to be learning the business or struggling to make sure his father and grandfather learn that he already knows the business. He's been known to spend to much purchasing items of little or no value, which leads to drama, and viewership I suppose. I have to say there have been at least two shows I can recall where this wasn't the case: The coca cola box restoration, and a motorcycle restoration. Maybe Corey has reached a turning point in the business.

Austin "Chumlee" Russell: Corey's friend for 15 years provides comic relief. "Chumlee" provides both verbal and physical laughter triggers. For instance, during one of my favorite episodes (the coca cola box episode, again) "Chumlee" asks Rick if he can eat the walnuts they used to blast the paint off the container....with a straight face. There are definitely way more comic moments provided by this character, and probably one of the reasons he's a favorite of the show.

If someone brings an item in that Rick doesn't know the value of or he wants to verify an items authenticity, he will call in one of his experts. These people are experts in various fields including antique restoration, antique arms and armour, early American history, wild west performance items, and car and motorcycle restoration.

One of my favorite episodes was when Corey "Big Hoss" bought a Coca Cola "box" to expert Rick Dale for restoration. Rick informed Corey and Chumlee that coca cola memorabilia item was a 1939 Salesman's Sampler and was used as a salesman's briefcase to sell the coke machines. These are now leased items, but at one time they weren't and the case would contain literature and information about the Coca Cola machines available for sale. The end result was a beautiful restoration and was expected to sell for well more than the $450 Corey paid for the item and restoration combined.

Here are a list of some of the experts consulted on the History channels show Pawn Stars:

• Rick's Restorations Expertise: Antique Restoration
• Sean Rich Expertise: Master Antique Gunsmith
• Dana Linett Expertise: Early American History
• Wally Korhonen Expertise: Car and Motorcycle Customization
• Mark Allen: Expertise: Wild West Arts Equipment, Supplies, and Performer.

Fun Stats

Here is more information about pawnbrokers that I found interesting when researching pawn shops. I have to say that prior to watching this show it isn't something that I thought too much about, but have enjoyed learning about. For example here are some interesting pawn stats:

• It is said that Queen Isabella of Spain pawned her jewelry to finance Christopher Columbus's journey to what he believed was the Indies.
• the first pawn shops emerged in ancient China more than 3,000 years ago
• St. Nicolas is the patron saint of pawnbrokers.