Oooooh Sally!

From Radio City to Rare Coin-Ops: Unveiling the Frank Ryder Collection

Welcome back to Donley’s Unfiltered Podcast! In this episode, Randy and Susan take us on a whirlwind journey that begins with the dazzling holiday lights of New York City and ends in the dusty trenches of a massive antique extraction in Indiana. It is a perfect blend of holiday magic and the gritty reality of high-stakes auction hunting.

Whether you are here for the review of the Radio City Rockettes or the reveal of the incredible Frank Rider Collection—packed with orchestrions, arcade machines, and rare coin-ops—this episode delivers. Watch as the team literally tears down walls to bring these hidden treasures to market!

Episode Highlights

[00:20] – The NYC Holiday Recap: Randy and Susan kick things off with stories from their Thanksgiving trip to New York, sharing the joy of visiting family and soaking in the city's festive atmosphere.

[01:14] – Rockettes Review: A glowing review of the 100th Anniversary Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. Spoiler alert: It features live camels!

[03:33] – Celebrity Sighting: A chance encounter with Randy Fenoli from Say Yes to the Dress leads to a fun selfie and some wedding dress banter.

[04:18] – A Somber Stop: The pair shares their emotional and highly recommended experience visiting the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

[06:07] – Macy's Parade Reality: The truth about trying to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade in person versus the comfort of the hotel room (though they did catch a glimpse of Santa!).

[07:46] – The Frank Rider Collection: Shifting gears to business, the team heads to Wabash, Indiana, to retrieve a legendary collection of mechanical music and arcade machines amassed over 45 years.

[09:19] – Basement Treasures: A first look at rare finds still in the basement, including a pristine 1940s Chicago Coin Basketball game.

[11:53] – The Extraction Challenge: The collection was literally sealed inside! Watch the team demolish a false wall to free the massive orchestrions and cabinets.

[16:10] – Heavy Hauling: Back in Illinois, the team battles the cold to unload the trucks, with a special shoutout to the reliable fleet at Penske for making the logistics possible.

[17:53] – The Reveal: Randy walks through the newly unloaded haul, highlighting a stunning oak Mills Violano and a rare Calliaphone from Wabash.

[18:48] – Arcade Oddities: A look at some quirky coin-ops, including a "Character Reading" machine for women and a vintage "Marriage License Bureau."

[21:08] – Unique Automata: The episode wraps up with a peek at the "Feed Bill" bean bag game and a fascinating wooden automaton figure designed to crank a street organ.

Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/jHY80CsmJCs

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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!