Pieces Of Motown History Are Up For Sale And They’re Amazing (And Some Are Affordable, Too)

The Motown Mansion is one of Detroit’s iconic buildings.

Home to Barry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, the mansion was built in 1917 for lumber baron Nels Michelson.

Every part of the mansion is, in a word, sumptuous. It was purchased by Gordy in 1967 and he owned it until 2002; the most recent owner, Cynthia F. Reeves, sold it for $1.65 million in August.

But why were we here? Well, it turns out since the mansion was bought, there’s a lot of music and Detroit history that’s been inside the place that now could be in your hands.

Do you love 45’s? There are more than 600 records, basically untouched.

Retro radios?

There’s an amazing Steinway piano that Smokey Robinson played.

There’s everything from beer steins…

…to bowling pins from the bowling alley in the athletic house…

…to the desk of Barry Gordy himself.

Or how about a travel trunk from a Model T?

Bowling seats signed by Martha Reeves?

The new owner, a metro Detroit native returning home after living in San Francisco, has purchased the home with wall to wall details, including amazing stained glass.

There estate sale has two components. The live auction, which will happen both on a website and on-site, and then there are some items that are priced “as is” to go out the door.

Although the sale kicks off at 10 a.m., we’re told that they’re going to be handing out bid numbers at 7 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday). Technically, the sale lasts three days, Thursday October 12 through Saturday, October 14. There’s a $5 entry fee and you need to register if you want to bid.

If you’re looking to score a deal on a smaller piece of memorabilia (I’m already jealous of whoever picks up the typewriter below) you’re going to want to get in on day one for the best selection.

Looking at the prices, there are a lot of things that are completely reasonable.

The high-end international auction will begin with doors opening at 5 p.m. and auction starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 13, in the Athletic House of the Mansion. That will focus on exclusive high-end antiques, historical Detroit objects and Motown memorabilia.