WLS Radio Show - 2025-09-06 E09 - Doozy in Brooklyn

karin907
Sep 6
4 min read

Updated: Oct 30

Donley Auctions: Unearthing Hidden Gems and Auction Insights

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Donley Auctions Hour! In this captivating broadcast, hosts Susan, Mike, and Randy Donley delve into the thrilling world of antiques, military relics, and unique collectibles. From secret acquisitions in Brooklyn to Civil War treasures and highly sought-after musical instruments, this episode offers a treasure trove of information for seasoned collectors and newcomers alike.

Here are some highlights from the show:

Secret Brooklyn Collection [00:42]: Mike and Randy just returned from Brooklyn, New York, with a "doozy" of a collection. While details are under wraps for now, they assure listeners it's a "great collection" that will surprise everyone.
Always Seeking Consignments [01:27]: Donley Auctions is constantly looking for single antiques or entire collections, including firearms, ammo, military uniforms, weapons from all wars (from Civil War to modern), antique cars (from the 1900s to muscle cars), motorcycles, and even early snowmobiles, sailboats, pedal cars, and biplanes.
Civil War Treasures [02:05]: Mike highlights past auction successes with Civil War items, including a rare Lamat pistol that sold for $45,000 and an important Confederate flag that fetched over $40,000, emphasizing the critical role of provenance in value.
Massive Vintage Signs [03:54]: The team discusses their expertise in handling large vintage signs, including huge neon and porcelain commercial signs up to 30 feet tall from iconic establishments like "Chicago's" and "Orange Gardens." They're equipped to remove these signs from any location.
Al Capone's Bar and Historic Interiors [06:53]: Randy shares the exciting story of the authentic Al Capone bar, now housed at the Arcada Theater in St. Charles, Illinois, emphasizing the documented provenance that sets it apart from other alleged Capone bars. They also recall selling the entire 1880s/1890s interior of a historic pharmacy and a 1933 World's Fair-era grocery store, complete with unopened merchandise.
Coin-Operated Collectibles [07:55]: Donley Auctions specializes in coin-operated machines, including slot machines, jukeboxes, arcade games, and early vending machines. Notably, modern CD-playing jukeboxes designed with vintage aesthetics are currently more sought after and valuable than original 78 RPM models.
Coins and Currency Auction [08:45]: Ryan Bole, their coin and currency expert, advises that auctions are the best way to sell coins and currency, as auction houses work to maximize seller profits, unlike coin shops that aim to buy low. A dedicated Coins and Currency auction is scheduled for December, making now an ideal time to consign.
Toys and Sports Memorabilia Boom [11:24]: Mike reveals that action figures from the 1980s (Star Wars, Power Rangers, He-Man, Ninja Turtles) and trading cards (Pokemon, sports cards) are "red hot" in the auction market. A dedicated sports memorabilia and toy auction is planned for October.
Free, No-Obligation Evaluations [12:57]: Donley Auctions offers free evaluations for single items or entire collections. They encourage potential consignors to send photos via email to get an expert opinion on value and discuss the consignment process without any cost.
The Power of Auction [15:06]: The hosts repeatedly stress that auctions are the superior method for selling valuable items, citing the "Antiques Road Show" as proof that auction prices consistently yield higher returns than private sales or garage sales due to competitive, worldwide bidding on multiple platforms.
Vintage Radios: From Breadboards to Catalin [18:05]: Donley Auctions is seeking various antique and vintage radios. Mike highlights early "breadboard sets" and Zenith radios with "tuning eyes." They also discuss highly valuable "character radios" (plastic or Bakelite with figures like Popeye) and especially colorful Catalin radios, which can fetch thousands, as Randy shares a personal story of buying one for $10 and selling it for $2,500.
Early Stereo Equipment and Transistor Radios [21:11]: Collectible audio equipment from the late 1960s to the 1980s, including brands like Sansui, Harman Kardon, and Fisher, is gaining value. Early transistor radios are also unexpectedly valuable, with some fetching hundreds of dollars.
Rare Microphones [24:45]: The team puts out a call for vintage microphones, noting that early models can sell for thousands, particularly for collectors and those decorating industry-specific spaces.
Firearms for Illinois Residents [27:06]: Donley Auctions, as a federally licensed firearms dealer, offers a legal and easy process for Illinois residents to sell firearms, including those now banned in the state (which they sell out-of-state). They handle all paperwork, transfers, and pickups.
Military Memorabilia: Family Provenance is Key [30:03]: Military items, especially World War II collectibles, remain popular. The family provenance of items passed down from fathers, grandfathers, or great-grandfathers (e.g., pilot artifacts) significantly increases their value.
Early Photography and Cameras [31:46]: The auction house is looking for early film cameras and photographic images, including daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, and tintypes. Mike shares an incredible story of a daguerreotype of a fisherman bought for $3,000 at a flea market and later sold for $60,000 on eBay.
Architectural Salvage and Design Items [43:35]: Beyond full bars, Donley Auctions is interested in architectural remnants, including chandeliers, terracotta pieces, and light fixtures from renowned architects like Frank Lloyd Wright. Mike recounts finding a Coonley Playhouse dining room light fixture in a basement that sold for $20,000.
Museum & Municipality Assistance [47:02]: Donley Auctions works with museums and municipalities to deaccession items that no longer fit their scope or are deemed "attractive nuisances" (like old cannons or tanks in parks), ensuring legal auction and fair value.
Seeking Gas Pumps and Racing Memorabilia [47:57]: They are actively looking for all types of gas pumps (from any era) and racing memorabilia, including outfits, helmets, trophies, cars, and signs, to expand their offerings.
Join the Team & Real Estate Services [49:43]: Donley Auctions is expanding and seeking new employees with expertise in research, identification, and description of various collectibles, offering flexible hours. Their real estate division, The Donley Group, headed by Shauna Donley, assists with selling homes, often achieving prices "way over asking."