The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I was surprised that the Donleys postponed the last Union until 2021 especially after APS announced a mid-country show for the same month. I've attended Union from the fabulous times where we enjoyed busy parking lot selling and two large rooms crammed with treasures as well as another ten or fifteen dealers selling outside from their pickups, trailers, or small individual tents. It was the international Mecca for talking machine collectors. The crowd waiting to enter filled the entry room and spilled outside. It was nothing less than incredible.

In recent years the show dwindled. First there were no outside vendors. Next the second room was only half full. Union seems to roll on based on its reputation only. Time proved that word of mouth was not enough. Union became a shadow of itself and dwindled to one room. Yes, I always came home with a treasure but it was different and sad. People must have voiced their concern to Randy or Mike Donley. We were promised that Union 2020 would be enthusiastically promoted. How was that done? One ad was placed in the APS Quarterly announcing 2020 be be the last Union! Now near the last moment they announce Union will be postponed until next year saying the State of Illinois will not allow a gathering of fifty people in the room at one time. I really doubt that vendors and buyers would ever have approached fifty people. I think it was all about money. If Union had been cancelled the Donleys would have been in a position to refund vendor prepayments. If they postpone, dealer money rolls over to next year.

The Antique Phonograph Society announced a Midwest Expo in 2021 quite a number of days before Union was postponed. Union in 2018 and 2019 were duds. Promises were made for Union 2020 which were never done. Can our hobby afford another Union flop? I don't think so. The Donleys can keep my vendor money. The health of our hobby is more important to me. My support will go to the Midwest APS Expo and I look forward to a date and location. I hope others give this serious thought. It's time to move past Union to a positive future.

Respectfully, Jerry Blais

I agree with Jerry. Having attended every Union show for 3 decades, his assessment is accurate. I believe it's time to move on and build momentum for a show that will be actively supported, and not be seduced by fond memories of a show that used to be great, but has faded to a shadow of its former glory.

I agree wholeheartedly with Jerry.

I stopped exhibiting at Union a few years ago when my booth location was changed, without prior notice, to the location nearest the smelly bathrooms. But as I recall, the renewal contracts had the dates printed on them. Thus, I think those that want a refund for this year’s non-event should be entitled to one.

Raphael

Raphael wrote:I agree wholeheartedly with Jerry.

I stopped exhibiting at Union a few years ago when my booth location was changed, without prior notice, to the location nearest the smelly bathrooms. But as I recall, the renewal contracts had the dates printed on them. Thus, I think those that want a refund for this year’s non-event should be entitled to one.

Raphael

I agree with Raphael, it has taken too many weeks for the obvious to occur. People need to have travel plans in place if it were to occur. The Loophole is "cancelled" versus "postponed". The booth space and table space would have to be refunded if it were cancelled. Sad ending........but life goes on. Let's all support the new venue with enthusiam. I 'm happy that APS has taken on the challenge to find a new location.

D.Edwards

I am of the same view.

Why drag out the demise of the Union show for another year? APS has stepped up to making a Midwest show a real event for the long term. It's time to let the team with a commitment to the hobby manage one of the most important events in the hobby in my opinion.

I attended my first Union Show in 1996 and I haven't missed one since that time. I want to thank the Donley Family for hosting this unique event for so many years. It has always been the phonograph highlight of my year. I know it has faded some over the past few years, but it is always the place where I continue to meet so many great friends. Those friends have encouraged me to attend other shows around the country including those in Wayne and Orlando. I have attended both several times and found them to be wonderful. The APS organization now has a first class show in California which has improved greatly over the past couple of years. Their involvement in a Mid-West Show will be outstanding. Let us all work together to make what the Donley's started an even better event. The Antique Phonograph Society (APS) is our international organization and I'm proud to be member. Thank you Donley Family and thank you APS Board. Stay Safe and see you all in 2021.


Stan Stanford
Oregon Territory Antique Phonograph Society

clarphon wrote:I attended my first Union Show in 1996 and I haven't missed one since that time. I want to thank the Donley Family for hosting this unique event for so many years. It has always been the phonograph highlight of my year. I know it has faded some over the past few years, but it is always the place where I continue to meet so many great friends. Those friends have encouraged me to attend other shows around the country including those in Wayne and Orlando. I have attended both several times and found them to be wonderful. The APS organization now has a first class show in California which has improved greatly over the past couple of years. Their involvement in a Mid-West Show will be outstanding. Let us all work together to make what the Donley's started an even better event. The Antique Phonograph Society (APS) is our international organization and I'm proud to be member. Thank you Donley Family and thank you APS Board. Stay Safe and see you all in 2021.


Stan Stanford
Oregon Territory Antique Phonograph Society

Stan,

Very well stated! Thank you.

I also agree with Stan. It is a well written message.