Donley Auctions will roll out its 3-Day Fall Classic Auction this week in Union, bringing a broad mix of antiques, mechanical music, petroliana, toys, jewelry and sports memorabilia to a sale that often attracts Barrington-area collectors. The multi-day event is set for Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 23–25, at 8512 S. Union Road in Union, with an item preview on Wednesday and pickups by appointment on Sunday, according to Donley Auctions and the event listing on Patch.

What’s on the block

Day 1 (Thursday, Oct. 23) is slated to start at 10 a.m. and leans into historical and nostalgia-rich categories. The catalog is expected to include mechanical music pieces such as music boxes, vintage phonographs, orchestrions and jukeboxes; classic coin-op and arcade games; automobilia and petroliana; and iconic advertising signs. Fine furniture and vintage toys — including MARX tin toys, model trains and die-cast vehicles — round out the day’s mix, according to Patch and Donley Auctions.

Day 2 (Friday, Oct. 24) is billed as an evening session, beginning at 5 p.m., that features a curated “Best of the Best” selection. The auction house plans to showcase the top 300 items from across the three-day event in this concentrated sale, which is designed to bring focused competition to the marquee lots, according to Patch.

Day 3 (Saturday, Oct. 25) returns to a morning start at 10 a.m. and pivots to categories with strong crossover appeal: autographed sports memorabilia tied to NFL, MLB and NBA legends; rare coins and currency, including U.S. silver dollars, proof sets and commemoratives; fine jewelry and timepieces; and a selection of designer clothing and accessories, as outlined by Patch.

Key logistics (as listed)

  • Donley Auctions, 8512 S Union Rd, Union, IL, 60180
  • Preview all the items on Wednesday, October 22 from noon - 7 pm.
  • Doors open for preview on Thursday and Saturday at 8 am.
  • Pickups will be available by appointment on Sunday morning.

A note on timing: the Patch header displays “Fri, Oct 24, 2025 at 9:00 AM,” while the day-by-day schedule lists a 10 a.m. start for Day 1 (Thursday) and Day 3 (Saturday), and a 5 p.m. evening start for Day 2. Readers should confirm exact start times directly with the auction house due to this inconsistency, a step also advised by the synthesized event materials from Donley Auctions and Patch.

Why it matters locally

Union’s small-village profile belies its pull as a regional gathering point for collectors. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates Union has roughly 1,600 residents and a median household income around $80,000, a combination that supports mid- to higher-value purchases and helps auction events draw from nearby communities like Barrington.

The format also mirrors national shifts. Market research from IBISWorld shows auction houses are leaning into hybrid models — combining physical previews with robust online bidding — as younger collectors enter the market seeking unique, nostalgia-driven pieces. Analysis from Collectible Guru suggests sports memorabilia, in particular, can amplify turnout and bidding when authenticity and provenance are clearly documented, which aligns with the event’s sports-heavy Day 3.

Donley’s recent track record points to growing momentum. According to Donley Auctions and local coverage in the Barrington Courier-Review, the company has invested in digital registration and virtual previews and reported more than 200 bidders and over $1 million in sales during its 2024 fall auctions — signs that could translate into stronger competition for top lots this year.

How to take part

  • Preview wisely: Attend in-person preview windows to inspect condition and ask questions. For high-value items (sports memorabilia, coins, jewelry/watches), request any available authentication or grading documentation.
  • Register early: Secure a bidder number ahead of time to avoid delays. The event notice did not specify the exact registration process; confirm requirements directly with the auction house, according to Donley Auctions.
  • Know the terms: Buyer’s premium rates, accepted payment methods and tax policies were not provided in the event materials; confirm before bidding.
  • Plan pickup or shipping: Sunday pickups are by appointment; line up carriers and insurance for valuable purchases in advance.
  • Set a strategy: Expect heightened competition during the Friday evening curated sale and consider absentee or online bids where available.

Transparency and items to verify

The assembled materials highlight a few information gaps and risks for bidders to consider. Specifics on buyer’s premiums, payment methods, detailed registration steps and lot-level authentication were not included in the event notice; bidders should request the full catalog, confirm the buyer’s premium and fees, and verify which lots carry third-party certificates. The 9 a.m. versus 10 a.m. start-time discrepancy should be clarified with the auctioneer before traveling, as advised by the synthesized guidance from Donley Auctions and Patch.

For Barrington-area collectors, the three-day structure offers something each day: deep cuts in mechanical music and petroliana on Thursday, a concentrated run at high-priority pieces Friday night, and an accessible mix of sports, coins and jewelry on Saturday. With hybrid bidding now standard in the industry, as noted by IBISWorld, and sports memorabilia continuing to pull in broad audiences, per Collectible Guru, the evening marquee session and the sports-focused finale are likely to be the most closely watched. If the recent trajectory reported by Donley Auctions and the Barrington Courier-Review holds, expect strong turnout — both in the room and online — and spirited bidding for the top lots.