Eeyore P2-38
- 17 hours ago
- 3 min read
The Best of the Best & Behind the Scenes!
Are you ready to discover some of the most extraordinary antiques to ever hit the auction block? In this exciting episode of the Donley Auctions Unfiltered podcast, Susan and Randy Donley give us an exclusive, behind-the-scenes walkthrough of their incredible showroom right before the massive Spring Classic Auction. From exceedingly rare coin-operated machines and classic cars to authentic Wild West relics, this episode is a treasure hunter's dream!
Whether you're looking for the ultimate Father's Day gift or simply love diving into the rich history of American manufacturing, you won't want to miss these highlights. Grab your paddle and check out the best moments from the show:
[01:12] Welcome & Auction Overview – Susan and Randy introduce the highly anticipated Friday Night Spring Classic Auction (Part 2: The Top 300), showcasing a completely transformed room packed with top-tier collectibles.
[02:00] Antique Bicycle Trade Stimulator – Get an up-close look at an incredibly rare 5-cent Sun Manufacturing bicycle trade stimulator (Lot #47). It’s an early slot machine where players drop a nickel to spin the bicycle wheels!
[03:40] Father's Day Gift Ideas – Why wander the Art Institute when you can buy a piece of history? The team jokes about why these masculine antiques make the ultimate Father's Day presents.
[05:15] Unique Advertising Antiques – A showcase of incredible display items, including a Grape Coca-Cola dispenser, an antique tobacco cutter, and a vintage stick chewing gum machine.
[05:55] Original Western Union Stock Ticker – Randy highlights the very first item up for bid (Lot #1!): an authentic Western Union stock ticker, complete with its original glass dome and actual rolls of vintage ticker tape.
[10:00] Behind the Scenes Room Setup – Watch Michelle and the auction crew work their magic as they physically transform the gallery, line up the antique slot machines, and navigate the "stage mess" of auction-day snacks.
[11:41] Chris's Questionable Carpentry – A hilarious and unfiltered team moment as Randy critiques a "god-awful" wooden frame built by Chris for the antique saloon doors.
[13:28] Classic Cars & Racers – Rev your engines for a walk-around of some show-stopping vehicles, including a beautiful 1937 Cadillac Convertible, a vintage race car, and a sleek Camaro pace car.
[14:56] Teasing Upcoming Summer Auctions – Mark your calendars! The duo announces their upcoming "Vintage Toys & Trains Auction" and the highly anticipated "Relics of the American West" event.
[15:39] Relics of the American West – A sneak peek at some jaw-dropping western lots, featuring original Native American clothing from the 101 Ranch Wild West Show, a gorgeous Winchester Gunsmith sign, and a rotating antique gun cabinet.
[16:31] Bidding Online & Ice Cream Promises – Randy shares how easy it is to bid online for the 15,000+ digital attendees, while Susan promises Häagen-Dazs ice cream for the lucky in-person bidders!
[17:45] The Chicagoland Show – Wrapping up with a shoutout to the upcoming Chicagoland Antique Advertising, Slot Machine, and Jukebox Show.
Watch the full walkthrough and start planning your bids here: https://youtu.be/JPjgnrjBhOY
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!