I really enjoyed my trip to Union this year. I traveled with Stan
Stanford and Dan Melvin and we all came home with some treasures. I have
been attending the Union show off and on for over twenty five years.
Years ago the show was basically a weekend sale but over the years, it has
"unofficially" started earlier and earlier. This year, we arrived in the
Union area on Wednesday afternoon and there were probably a dozen cars in
the parking lot with twenty collectors milling about. It was probably as
much a social occasion as anything but people were there to buy and sell.
On Thursday morning Randy D. announced that only persons holding
"exhibitor" badges would be allowed to stay in the parking lot. This
created more than just a few problems because many "early buyers" had
traveled with "exhibitors" in one vehicle. What were they to do? Their
options were to leave or pay for exhibitor space outside ($150 for space
which included two exhibitor passes). People that talked to Randy came
back with conflicting stories. I spoke with Randy and it was frustrating
because he really didn't seem to care about the future success of the show
but he does have some valid points. There are quite a few early buyers
that open their vehicles in the parking lot and sell as dealers. His
other complaint centers around the show starting early in the week and the
inconvenience that brings to his business. His concerns are valid but I
expressed how important it is for buyers to have as equal an opportunity
as the sellers at the parking lot deals. Just before the show opened on
Saturday morning, Mike D. made an announcement to the effect that there
would be no Thursday (or earlier) selling on their property. Exhibitors
would be allowed to bring items into the sale late on Thursday but no
buying or selling would be allowed. Sales would begin at the same time
for early buyers and exhibitors on Friday morning and everyone would have
equal opportunity. This should solve the problem and compact the sale
back towards the weekend. I think it is a change for the better. In my
opinion, Thursdays and Fridays have been great, Saturdays have been ok,
and Sundays have been boring. Maybe Saturday will be good and Sunday will
be ok. About this years show...there were some terrific machines. Dan
said he saw three machines with asking prices over $30,000! (several
Class M's and a Wizzard) There was also a mahogany Triumph (around
$4500?), mahogany Home ($4200?), an Echophone ($5200?) and an assortment
of Trademarks, Operas, Zonophones, etc. I think the most expensive
machine that sold was a Toy Gramophone. The asking price was $18,000 and
I believe it sold at or near that price. The Oregon group (Stan S., Dan
M., Al M., Bob J. and myself) had a great time and we're all looking
forward to next year. Happy Collecting, Jerry B.
