WLS Radio Show 2025-11-30 E21

Donley Auctions
Nov 30
2 min read

Updated: Dec 2

Radio Show Recap: D-Day Secrets, "Chicago Typewriters," and Million-Dollar Sports Cards

Welcome to the latest edition of the Donley Auctions Hour on WLS 890! Host Susan joins the Donley team—Randy, Mike, Chris, John, and the Ryans—to recap a Thanksgiving weekend of treasure hunting and preview a packed December auction schedule. From discovering Top Secret WWII intelligence in a basement to analyzing the exploding market for vintage sports cards, this episode is a masterclass in valuing the rare and unique.

Show Highlights:

02:33 – Massive Music Machine Find: Randy and Mike share details on a recent trip to Wabash, Indiana, to retrieve a "phenomenal" collection of antique band organs, nickelodeons, and coin-op machines destined for a Spring auction.
05:43 – The Thrill of the "Unboxing": The team discusses the excitement of opening fresh-to-market collections, recalling legendary finds like a ladder from the Berlin Wall and a rare archive of Lubin Studios movie memorabilia found in Florida.
08:43 – Wild West Town Transformation: Updates on the remodeling of the iconic Wild West Town, which is being converted into expanded gallery space to house incoming massive estates.
10:29 – Military Market Watch: An insight into the surging value of military relics, noting how standard WWII American helmets that once cost $5 can now command anywhere from $200 to $25,000 depending on provenance.
12:59 – "The Chicago Typewriter": A preview of the December 13th Firearm Auction, featuring Lot 1000: a Thompson 1927 A1. This semi-automatic version of the famous gangster-era submachine gun is a highly sought-after piece of history.
14:21 – Rare Target Rifles: A look at Lot 1262, a Remington Hepburn No. 3. Designed by world champion shooter Lewis Hepburn, this 1880s rifle is famed for its "falling block" action and high-condition rarity.
16:16 – Barn Find Jeep: The story of a 1943 military Jeep discovered in a local barn. The team highlights the intense demand for war-year vehicles (1941-1945) and invites municipalities to consign surplus military assets.
18:36 – Extinct Bird Sells Big: A recap of the recent Native American auction, where "Percy"—a taxidermy Passenger Pigeon (extinct since 1914)—sold for an impressive $11,000.
27:32 – The Banister Collection (D-Day Documents): Chris and John reveal an incredible discovery for the upcoming February 7th auction: Top Secret "Operation Neptune" documents. These rare papers include maps, "Bigot" lists (highest security clearance), and landing schedules used during the Normandy Invasion.
40:58 – Railroad Tech Spotlight: A deep dive into Lot 102, an Adlake "Non-Sweating" Railroad Lamp. This engineering marvel solved the issue of condensation dimming signal lights, preventing train crashes in the early 1900s.
42:07 – Rosemont Sports Show Report: Ryan and Ryan recount their time at the Chicagoland Sports Spectacular, sharing stories of Charlie Sheen signing autographs and a fan who brought an entire bicycle to be signed by Chicago Bears players.
46:10 – Mickey Mantle Economics: A comparison of the 1951 Bowman and 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie cards seen at the show, illustrating how high-end sports cards are commanding six-figure sums.
48:38 – The Value of Grading: Expert advice on why professional grading is essential for maximizing profit, whether you have vintage coins or a shoebox full of old baseball cards.