Is ‘Pawn Stars’ Real? What’s It Really Like To Be On The Popular History Channel Show?
What is it really like to be on Pawn Stars? Abraham Lincoln enthusiast and collector, Jerry Beverland and his wife Wanda, had the memorable experience of going to the pawn shop, as well as meeting and bartering with the History Channel star and owner of the World Famous Gold and Silver Pawn Shop, Rick Harrison. Did Beverland sell any valuable pieces from his collection? How did he get on the show? Did they get to meet Chumlee? What surprised the couple most? Most of all, is Pawn Stars real?
"@_brittanymyers: Hey @chumlee_ I came to see you. Where are you?! pic.twitter.com/cRODPWvCQf" I was just in the shop
— Austin Russell (@chumlee_) March 25, 2014
Beverland told the Tampa Bay Times that the adventure began with he sent an email from to the producers of the popular show. The collector had some treasured pieces attached to President Lincoln, including a chair owned by Lincoln when he was in the White House and a Volk life mask.
“I just told them about my Lincoln chair and how it was one of 14 chairs I had owned over the years and how the molds came from an original life mask created by Volk.”
Recently, the Inquisitr reported that filming is starting soon and offered fans information on how to submit items to sell on Pawn Stars. Just like the article recommends, Beverland had gathered a lot of information about the history of his items that he brought to the show including a letter from the White House and several photographs, including a photo of Lincoln sitting in a similar chair. That particular photo was shown on the episode that has already aired. In addition, he provided statements from appraiser association. These critical items are needed to help determine the authenticity of his valuables to give him a better chance of a successful sale.
Dressed up and ready to go pic.twitter.com/aar9D6ba7P
— Austin Russell (@chumlee_) January 30, 2014
These particular items in Beverland’s collection are exactly what the show seeks: something historical and with paperwork that places the object in an interesting historical setting. This makes for interesting television. Pawn Stars executive producer Simon Thomas spoke to the paper about items that the show wants.
“We look for an item that is not something you see every day, and (the Beverlands) had fantastic items. So if someone has a chair that could have belonged to Lincoln, that is definitely of interest to us, but the better you can provide paper work that links the sale or links back to the original (owner), in this case Abraham Lincoln, then that’s even more fantastic.”
Rev your engines with the #PawnStars, tonight at 10/9c! pic.twitter.com/5yW7SF3nbO
— Pawn Stars (@pawnstars) January 13, 2016
As seen in the already aired episode “No Pawn For You,” Beverland met Rick Harrison and presented his chair. Harrison joked that it was just a chair, but the seller countered with his photo and information that this was a chair used by Lincoln. This caught the attention of history buff Harrison.
“It’s one of the most famous chairs you’ll ever see. Abraham Lincoln sat in it while he was in the White House.”
Beverland offered to sell the item for $2,000, and Rick had to call in his expert, Mark Hall-Patton, to make sure that this was indeed an authentic Abraham Lincoln chair. The expert took a great deal of time examining all of the information that Beverland had assembled before he determined that he could not be 100 percent sure that this was used by Lincoln in the White House.
“The time period is right but it’s not enough for me to say these are ones used in the White House.”
Beverland was actually relieved that the expert did not authenticate his item. This meant that Harrison would not offer for the chair.
“I know darn well that my items are authentic. I was relieved. I had made an offer of $2,000 for each item, and right after I told them the offer I said to myself, ‘Oh no, what have I done?’ So I’m glad I didn’t have to sell them.”
Wanda had the most fascinating experience as she sat in the cat bird’s seat. First, she was shocked at how small the shop was. She later learned that the room that they filmed was smaller and is not where shoppers of the pawn shop visit. Instead, the room that filmed in is built specifically for the show Pawn Stars.
“When we first got there, I was surprised by the size of the pawn shop. It looked so small. I thought, ‘You got to be kidding me,’ but we learned that there were two rooms. One is for customers and one is for filming.”
The most unexpected delight? Mark Hall-Patton. “The Beard of Knowledge,” as Rick likes to call him, spoke with Wanda a great deal and she found that he was exceptionally intelligent.
“He is one smart man.”
As for the Lincoln mold, that episode will not air until early 2017. Although Beverland did not reveal this transaction, he did say that he did not make a sale with this object either. This indicates that collectors with more than one item could end up in more than one episode. This makes perfect sense as there are collectors that have several pieces that would be interesting for the show and making a single trip to the pawn shop is more ideal, as this couple was from Florida.
Good times on Leno pic.twitter.com/q2beHcwG
— Rick Harrison (@GoldSilverPawn) January 4, 2013
There was no indication if the Beverlands met anyone besides Rick Harrison, nor did they reveal any more info on their encounter with him. The two-day film shoot seemed like a lot of fun for the couple. To actually be on the show and sell something is certainly the highlight of any Vegas vacation, and the Beverlands certainly experienced something they will never forget. Best of all, they got a huge surprise: a complimentary evening at the D Casino Hotel. While not gamblers, the couple enjoyed the “fancy hotel,” especially the good dinner and breakfast the next morning.
Unfortunately, the Beverlands visited the pawn shop before Pokemon GO was released. Anyone who now goes on the show or just visits the adjacent shop now has another added incentive for visiting. Chumlee recently tweeted that The Gold and Silver Pawn Shop has the gym on lock.
“We got the gym on lock if your yellow come help upgrade it to a level 8 gym.”
We got the gym on lock if your yellow come help upgrade it to a level 8 gym. pic.twitter.com/RUDV8Vmuhu
— Austin Russell (@chumlee_) September 12, 2016
For most people, visiting the pawn shop is an opportunity to meet, get a photo and an autograph from fan favorite Chumlee. Or perhaps, pay a visit to neighboring Pawn Plaza to get a glimpse of pawn shop owner and Pawn Stars patriarch Rick Harrison behind the bar at his restaurant, Rollin’ Smoke Tavern and reminisce about The Who. The Beverlands had an experience that confirms that Pawn Stars is real. And real includes fun!
After reading about the Beverland’s visit to Pawn Stars, do you now think the History Channel show is real?
[Featured Image by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images]