Annual Phonograph and Music Box Show in town June 14

Tag : vintage phonograph
Huntley, IL -
Worldwide antique dealers and collectors will gather atDonley’s Wild West Town for the 33rd annual Phonograph andMusic Box Show. The show will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Saturday, June 14, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 15. A previewfor the event will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, June 13.
Donley’s Wild West Town is located on Route 20 and SouthUnion Road, two miles south Union.
Started by Mike and Randy Donley, the show offers the world’slargest selection of cylinder and disc, horned and uprightphonographs; high-quality music boxes; roller organs; vintageradios; rare 78 RPM and cylinder records; early coin-operatedphonographs and music boxes; hard to find parts and services andmore.
“It’s entertainment and a great investment,” MikeDonley said. “[Most] people love music, and many of thesetunes that are over 100 years old are still recognizedtoday.”
With many antiques and collectibles leveling off and even decliningin value, Donley said the show has seen double-digit growth formany years.
“Every time you think a high-end piece has reached its peak,one comes on the market and sets a new record,” he said.
Machine prices range from $300 to $30,000. The machines act as partof the show, with numerous record dealers offering thousands ofselections for sale. Parts and repair services and endlessliterature and manuals are also available. Phonographs and musicboxes are one of the few antiques that are not only period piecesof furniture, but in many cases, are works of art, Donley said.
At previous shows, when walking down the aisles of booths filledwith top-quality merchandise, one might think they were in aforeign marketplace, Donley said.
It is not unusual to hear Japanese, Dutch, French, German, Koreanand even Thai spoken within a few feet of each other. Many dealersalso have their business cards printed in several differentlanguages.
“I deal in many different antique fields, and never have Ifound such a group of individuals willing to share information andeducate the novices,” Donley said. “People here wantyou to enjoy the hobby and are eager to help you out.”
Larry Donley and his sons, Mike and Randy, are internationallyrecognized collectibles experts bringing decades of experience andknowledge to the field of appraising, buying and selling antiques.The Donley family is always looking to purchase new items.Currently, they are seeking antique phonographs and music boxes,juke boxes, slot machines, civil war relics, Indian items, cowboyand wild west memorabilia, guns, weapons, war relics, furniture(1860s to 1930s), dolls, toys, jewelry, cash registers, horse drawnvehicles, old steam tractors and any other “odd” or“interesting” items.
General admission for the event is $8 per person, which covers theadmission cost for both the June 14 and 15 shows. Preview admissionis $40 per person during set-up.
The events are open to all. For more information, call (815)923-9000, or visit www.WildWestTown.com.