Local Auction Sells Michigan Radio Memories

A local auction house on Wednesday, auctioned off some memorabilia from the golden age of radio. The days of Little Orphan Annie, The Shadow and of course, The Lone Ranger.

The Lone Ranger Character was created by the grandfather of a former General Manager of mine, Fran Striker was the man behind creating such characters as the Green Hornet as well as the Lone Ranger.

Up for auction were several Lone Ranger toys including action figures by Hubley of the Ranger and his sidekick "Tonto." Toy sof their respective horses Silver and Scout, were also auctioned as well. What seemed to virtually unnoticed was a cigarette case owned by voice actor Brace Beemer. Beemer was the third person to play the Lone Ranger on the original radio show and the longest running. For 13 years, Beemer would act asked the masked man until 1954 on Detroit's WXYZ AM. Beemer's style would also be copied by actor Clayton Moore for the television show of the same name.

A few other items that were sold were Beemer's personal photos of him and a group on a pheasant hunt in South Dakota. He is shown in the group making a makeshift Lone Ranger mask.

Although these items will probably never make it to a Sotheby's auction, it's just nice to have such a cool piece of radio history.