WLS Radio Show - 2025-10-19 E15

Patek Philippe in a Watch Box & A $24,000 Flying Horse

Welcome to the Donley Auctions Hour! This week, the team—Randy, Mike, Susan, and "Trifecta" expert Ryan (#1)—is buzzing with excitement for their biggest sale of the year, the October Fall Classic. This episode is a treasure map, guiding you through the show-stopping items coming to the block and revealing the incredible stories behind them.

From multi-thousand-dollar finds in unassuming boxes to the wild history of pinball, this is a must-listen. Here are the chronological highlights from this packed show:

• The "Trifecta" Pick: Ryan, the expert in coins, jewelry, and sports, shares a story from a recent house call. He went for coins but discovered a box of watches that had sat untouched for decades. Inside, among others, was a rare Patek Philippe watch movement he's evaluating at $5,000-$10,000 [04:50].

• The Real Tiffany Lamp: Randy points out that while most "Tiffany" lamps are just style, Ryan's find is the real deal. It’s a rare, signed Tiffany Studios harp lamp, not a garage sale find, and it's expected to fetch around $10,000 [06:59].

• Cadillacs & Thunderbirds: Randy shares his own recent "pick"—two gorgeous antique Cadillacs, a 1931 and a 1937 convertible, plus a beautiful one-owner 1959 Thunderbird [09:32].

• Motorcycle Mania... and Regret: The team talks about the vintage Harleys in the auction, which leads to some great stories of missed opportunities. Randy recalls passing on a barn full of WWI-era motorcycles as a teen [13:40], and Mike shares how he turned down a 1954 Corvette [14:48]!

• The Flying Horse: A stunning porcelain Pegasus (the Mobil flying horse) sign, consigned with the Cadillacs, is another highlight. Randy notes that while this one isn't neon, collectors are adding neon to similar signs, with one recently selling for $24,000 [16:39].

• Chasing Signs: The team shares stories of "signs that got away," including a Rockford cobbler sign with moving neon [22:06] and a legendary (and lost) sign from a strip club garage featuring a naked girl in a martini glass [23:33].

• Gold... In Your Teeth?: Ryan dives into the Saturday auction, which is loaded with jewelry and coins. He's even selling dental gold—crowns and bridges from dentists—which is incredibly valuable, with gold prices north of $4,000 an ounce [27:24].

• How to Spot a Fake: Ryan gives a pro-tip for pocket watch collectors: If a case says "14k Warrantied," it's gold-plated, not solid gold [32:34].

• History on Your Wrist: A standout piece is a pilot's watch with incredible provenance. It belonged to Commander John Rogers, the first pilot to attempt a flight from L.A. to Hawaii in 1925. He ran out of gas, landed on the water, and then sailed the pontoon plane for three days using fabric from the wings to reach the- shore [34:26].

• The #1 Cubs Collection: The sports memorabilia auction is anchored by a massive, one-lot collection: the #1 PSA Registry Set of Topps Cubs cards, featuring 2,100 graded cards from 1952 to the present [39:22].

• When Pinball Was Illegal: Mike shares the wild history of pinball. Because they were used for gambling (win a candy bar!), they were illegal in most cities until the 1970s. The ban was overturned in 1976 when a player, Roger Sharp, proved in court that it was a game of skill, not chance, by calling his shots on the playfield [43:58].

This is just a fraction of the items and stories from this incredible episode. To hear it all, listen here: https://youtu.be/4Ik27I96FVA

Welcome to the Donley Auctions Hour! Here, the thrill of the hunt meets the excitement of the auction block. In this episode, hosts Susan, Mike, and Randy Donley take us on a captivating journey through the world of antiques, military relics, and unique collectibles. From behind-the-scenes glimpses of promoting upcoming auctions to incredible tales of rare finds, this episode is a must-listen for both seasoned collectors and newcomers to the auction scene.