Arts & Entertainment

'American Pickers' Buys Signs, Soda Machines From Oradell Man

Sam Tripsas had a story behind every item he sold out of his garage and attic. He started the collection when he was a boy.

ORADELL, NJ — For years, Sam Tripsas could not part with his collection of signs, soda machines, and other items of Americana he had in storage for decades.

Tripsas started parting with his collection on the History channel's "American Pickers" Monday. He had the collection in his Oradell garage and attic.

"I couldn't sell anything because I was so attached to what I have," Tripsas said. "It was the thrill of the chase and I don't have that same feeling anymore."

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The first thing Mike Wolfe and Danielle Colby was the item Tripsa was closest to: An old Flying A Gas service sign. They bought it for $3,500.

Tripsas had several old soda machines, including two Coke models from the 1940s. The "pickers" paid him $1,800 for one of them. He got $1,950 for a Pepsi-Cola machine. He picked it up at a gas station in Lodi.

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With every item, Tripsas had a story to tell. Whether it was about his father or grandmother, he spoke as much about the people linked to the items than the items themselves.

"The money was nice. I got way more that what I paid for things," Tripsas said. "I don't think I'll ever stop collecting, unless I can't walk."

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo courtesy of the History Channel/A&E Networks

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