I Didn't Know You Were Filming
- Donley Auctions
- 16 hours ago
- 3 min read
Rare Relics & Wild West Nostalgia: Inside the Donley Auctions "Cowboys & Indians" Event
Welcome back to another behind-the-scenes look at the world of high-stakes antiques! In this episode, Randy Donley and Susan—sporting a dramatic new brunette look—take us on an exclusive tour of the upcoming "Cowboys & Indians" auction. From the dusty trails of the American frontier to the polished elegance of Arts and Crafts furniture, this show reveals the incredible provenance behind the items crossing the block. Whether you’re hunting for museum-quality history or just love a good story, this episode is a goldmine.
Show Highlights:
The "New" Susan: The episode kicks off with a fun reveal of Susan’s new brunette look, sparking a debate on whether she should stick to blonde or embrace the dark side.
Auction Overview:Â Randy introduces the massive "Cowboys & Indians" catalog, featuring a unique blend of Native American artifacts, Wild West Town memorabilia, and unexpected high-end furniture.
Turquoise Trends:Â A spotlight on a dazzling jewelry cabinet filled with sterling silver and turquoise, noting its enduring popularity from the 1980s to today.
Mission Oak Collection: A look at a pristine, single-owner collection of Arts and Crafts furniture (featuring makers like Limbert and Stickley) from Elgin, IL—perfect for a rugged ranch aesthetic.
A Quirky Centerpiece:Â The team jokes about using one of the several taxidermy turkeys as a unique Thanksgiving table centerpiece.
Dating Native Baskets:Â An expert tip on inspecting Native American baskets: counting the number of colors used in the weave to determine age and authenticity.
1860s Blacksmith Sign: Randy shows off a rare trade sign that hung for 50 years at the Donley’s Wild West Town blacksmith shop.
Mapping the Frontier:Â A fascinating look at surveying equipment from the 1820s and 30s, used to map the open ranges of the early United States.
The Chicago Stockyards Coat:Â The gritty history behind a Buffalo coat worn not on the range, but by a worker braving the cold at the historic Chicago Stockyards.
Horn Furniture Teaser:Â A sneak peek at a genuine horn chair that arrived too late for this sale but will headline the next "Wild West Part 2" auction.
Marengo’s "Romance of a Century": Randy shares a 1930s poster depicting a Wild West show in Marengo, IL, revealing an eerie historical coincidence that predated Donley’s own park.
Rough Rider Uniform: A museum-grade highlight: the jacket and hat of a Hampshire, IL soldier who charged up San Juan Hill with Teddy Roosevelt’s Company D.
The Extinct Passenger Pigeon:Â A rare taxidermy specimen of the passenger pigeon, sparking a discussion on the bird's migratory history and tragic extinction.
Wild West Town Tour: Randy walks the grounds of the now-closed theme park with former employee Joey O’Brien, reminiscing about the stunt shows and the old "Territorial Jail."
Gold Mine Secrets:Â Joey shares heartwarming memories of working the Gold Mine attraction and "salting" the water with fool's gold to delight children.
The Historic Train: A mention that the park’s famous train—originally from the Brookfield Zoo and the Wagon Wheel Resort—is currently available for purchase.
Roadshow Updates:Â The team promotes their appearance at the Sports Spectacular in Rosemont to accept consignments.
Maintenance Shoutouts:Â A final nod to the crew keeping the facilities running, including "Joe Cool/Heat" installing furnaces and D5 Iron Works.
Catch the full episode to see these items in detail and hear the rest of Randy's stories!
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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!