Ding Dong 2:42
- 23 hours ago
- 3 min read
 If you love rare finds, museum-quality history, and a behind-the-scenes look at the high-end auction world, you won't want to miss this one. From pre-Edison electricity to the earliest sound recording devices, here’s a sneak peek at the historic pieces walking through our doors.
Episode Highlights:
[00:00] The Golden Rule of Mugs:Â Randy kicks things off with a hilarious public service announcement on the right way to print your promotional coffee mugs.
[00:47] Powering the Past:Â Before tiny microchips, we had massive battery jars! Discover the heavy, acid-filled glass jars people used to lug around for electricity before homes were wired.
[05:44] Gothic Greetings:Â We show off a stunning, wrought-iron Spanish doorbell featuring a mysterious pilgrim and a hand-forged dragon head terminus. You have to see this to believe it!
[07:09] Summer Classic Teaser:Â We put out the call for consignments for our Summer Classic, featuring petroliana, coin-op machines, and a crazy story about a lost gas pump collection in Chicago.
[08:18] We Sell Full-Size Bars! Did you know we completely dismantle and ship entire antique saloon bars across the country? Find out how our team makes the impossible happen.
[09:10] Ammo & Accessories:Â Grab a cup of coffee and take a peek at our massive staging wall of military surplus, hunting gear, and safes gearing up for the July 18 auction.
[10:23] A Hero's Helmet:Â Susan highlights a beautiful 8-rib leather fireman's helmet from River Forest. Discover the fascinating history of why early firefighters couldn't wear metal or fiberglass gear!
[12:52] Surviving the Elements: A quick detour as Randy and Susan compare the hardcore survivalists of the TV show Outlast to the freezing rain outside the auction house.
[13:22] Behind the Lens:Â Meet our incredible photographer Jim, who is busy shooting thousands of rare wax cylinder records and phonographs for our next big event.
[15:35] Streets of Yesteryear:Â Take a stroll through Donley's indoor "Wild West" town as it gets staged for auction, and catch a glimpse of another vintage Berwyn fire helmet inside the old pawn shop!
[16:49] Lamps & Legends:Â We explore the lamp shop filled with oil lanterns and highlight a classic John Rogers plaster statue, part of an amazing upcoming collection.
[18:19] Pre-Edison Sound! The absolute crown jewel of the episode: an 1850s Phonautograph! Learn about the genius who invented sound recording decades before Edison, and why you couldn't even play the sound back. This is the only one of these known to exist outside of the Smithsonian!
[21:48] The Koenigsberg Collection:Â We wrap up with a massive tease for the July 30 auction. Expect museum-quality phonographs, stereoviews, zoetropes, and the rarest early cinema technology on the market.
Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/LVbrxSy0g14
Visit us at: DonleyAuctions.com
Donley Auction Services
815-923-7000
8512 South Union Road (entrance on Marengo Road)
Union, IL 60180
Donley Auctions is a team of experienced auction professionals dedicated to creating a fun and exciting auction experience. With a rich history connected to the original Union Phonograph Show, the Seven Acres Museum, and Donley’s Wild West Town, Donley Auctions offers a diverse range of items for both seasoned collectors and newcomers. Specializing in firearms, militaria, coin-op, phonographs, cars, motorcycles, petroliana, antique advertising, architecture, coins, sports memorabilia, early inventions, and more, we are the place to get top dollar for your high-quality antiques and collectibles. We host live and in-person auctions monthly, complete with complimentary food and beverages, as well as online auctions at DonleyAuctions.com, where you can bid from anywhere in the world. Our friendly atmosphere, combined with our commitment to providing an engaging auction experience and expert shipping, makes us the go-to auction house for buyers and sellers alike. Whether you're looking to buy or sell, Donley Auctions is the place to be!