2:25 - Unprepared

Feb 27
2 min read

Updated: Apr 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhKJb7V3-00

In this episode of the Donley Auctions podcast, titled "Unprepared," Randy and Susan take us behind the scenes of the high-stakes world of collectibles. From "red hot" coin markets to rare 1980s sports memorabilia and the intricacies of authenticating fine art, this episode is a masterclass for any collector or investor looking to understand the current auction landscape.

Episode Highlights

[00:17] Welcome to Season 2, Episode 25: Randy and Susan kick off the show with an "unprepared" but high-energy look at the diverse world of high-end auctions.
[01:01] The "Red Hot" Coin Market: Expert Ryan Boyle explains why gold and silver bullion, specifically American Eagles, are seeing massive demand right now. [01:41]
[04:07] Sports Memorabilia Mania: A deep dive into the upcoming April auction featuring a 1985 Bears Super Bowl program signed by the legends and "on fire" Michael Jordan Fleer cards. [05:43]
[08:21] Courtside Secrets: A teaser for next week’s guest, Bulls photographer Don Marshall, who shares how he used "house flashes" to get perfectly illuminated shots of MJ. [09:02]
[09:39] Art Authentication with Jesse: Renowned expert Jesse Bleemel joins the set to evaluate a collection, highlighting works by Francisco Miseria and explaining why some large "museum-style" paintings are actually 19th-century tourist replicas. [11:18]
[14:22] The "Gold Leaf" Secret: Jesse shares a fascinating historical tip: during the 1930s, people painted over 22k gold frames with toxic gold paint to avoid jail time for owning gold bullion. [15:01]
[16:31] Staples vs. Nails: A quick pro-tip on how to spot modern exports from China disguised as English antiques by checking the stretcher bars and oxidation. [17:00]
[18:52] The 1910 Airplane Pedal Car: Randy reveals a stunning, un-restored 1910 Colombia airplane pedal car with a wooden body and spark retarder—a rare find for the May auction. [19:42]
[20:15] The Success of "Encore" Auctions: Susan discusses the "Second Chance" auctions, which allow bidders to snag items that missed their mark in the main event. [21:43]
[22:55] Beating the AI in Shipping: Karin explains why bidding directly on their website saves 2% and why you should choose "self-arranged" shipping on LiveAuctioneers to avoid "AI-guessed" packing that risks damaging your treasures. [24:52]
[26:10] Coming Soon - The Wild West Town: A final teaser for the massive upcoming liquidation of the "Streets of Yesterday" Wild West memorabilia. [26:50]