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Auctioneers of antiques.
Collectors of cool.
Veterans of vintage.
8512 S. Union Road
Union, Illinois
815-923-7000
Serving Collectors and Consignors Worldwide
The Donley Auctions Hour
Every Sunday at 10 am on WLS 890AM
See photos and find out more about some of the things
Heard on the Radio
Rare Griswold Red Star Peanut Machine
Early coin op peanut machine made by the Griswold Mfg. Co. for the Red Star Sanitary Vending Machine Co. of Davenport Iowa, circa 1914. Hexagon cast-iron base on feet with original flared globe, aluminum tray, and 1 cent dial operated coin slot. Accepts coins and vends. Missing back door. This example is in VG condition with original paint with all original parts. Pictured in "Silent Salesman" by Bill Enes, page 39. Measures 20" tall.
Oct 29
Campbells Soup Curved Porcelain Sign
This sign came right out of a basement of a building in Brooklyn NY and is being offered here for the very first time. Curved porcelain sign in the shape of and advertising the iconic Campbells Tomato Soup. In overall good+ condition with some chips (see photos). Retains original strap iron mounting bracket. of sign has been cleaned with soap and water only to remove heavy grime (see photo of sign half cleaned). Measures 22.5" tall, 12.75"wide.
Oct 29
Edison 32A Stock Ticker
The iconic wall street ticker tape machine from the 1920's Made by Thomas A. Edison Inc. these machines were leased to brokers by Western Union so they could receive real time stock prices printed on a continuous strip of paper right in their office. This machine is serial No. 3771. It has been restored and is one of the nicest we have seen. Comes with glass dome with rubber edge gasket. Lettering on front reads, Quotations furnished by the Western Union Telegraph Co. App
Oct 29
See more posts on our Heard on the Radio blog!
Every Sunday at 10 am on WLS 890AM
Catch up on all the episodes below!
WLS Radio Show - 2025-11-23 E20
Treasures in the Trash? Plus, Razor Blades, Ragtime, and $90k Amps Fresh off the heels of a record-breaking "Cowboys and Indians" event, the energy in the studio is electric this week! If you think the auction action slows down for the holidays, think again. In this episode of the Donley Auctions Hour , Susan, Mike, and Randy dive into a packed December calendar perfect for unique gift-giving, share incredible stories of "junk" turning into jackpots, and put out a massive cal
4 days ago
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WLS Radio Show - 2025-11-16 E19
Chasing History with Dr. Mike & A Wild West Preview! Welcome to the Donley Auctions Hour, where we don't just sell antiques—we chase history. This week's episode was an absolute must-listen, taking us from the dusty trails of the Old West to the birth of recorded sound. Host Susan and the Donley team, Randy and Mike, brought us an incredible hour. If you're passionate about the stories behind the items, you'll want to hear this. Here’s a look at the treasures and tales they u
Nov 16
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WLS Radio Show - 2025-11-09 E18
We're Chasing History & We Need Your Collections! Welcome to the Donley Auctions Hour! This week, hosts Mike and Randy Donley are pulling back the curtain on the state of the collecting world. The days of "antiquing" in small-town shops are over [ 01:30 ]; the market is now global, digital, and being fueled by massive, generational collections coming to light. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has inherited a collection and doesn't know where to start. The Donley b
Nov 9
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WLS Radio Show - 2025-11-02 E17
What's Hot? Donley's Experts on "Sleepers" and Bidding Wars! Welcome to the Donley Auctions Hour! This week, Randy, Mike, and Susan are recapping their massive October Fall Classic auction, and the results are a masterclass in why you should never  have a garage sale. The episode is packed with stories of "sleeper" items—things estimated for a few hundred dollars that exploded into thousand-dollar bidding wars. This is a must-listen for anyone who thinks their "old junk" isn'
Nov 1
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WLS Radio Show - 2025-10-26 E16
Al Capone's Piano, Buffalo Bill, & Dumpster Diving for Treasure! Welcome to the Donley Auctions Hour, where history and opportunity collide! This week, hosts Randy, Mike, and Susan are fresh off their massive Fall Classic auction and are already hunting for treasures for their next sales. This episode was a whirlwind of incredible stories, from Al Capone's barber to Buffalo Bill's Chicago showdown. The team is actively building their upcoming auctions, and this show is your i
Oct 25
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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 pinba
Oct 19
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WLS Radio Show - 2025-10-12 E14
e 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.
Oct 12
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WLS Radio Show - 2025-10-05 E13
come 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.
Oct 5
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WLS Radio Show - 2025-09-28 E12 - War Booty
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. Highlights from the
Sep 28
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