Will Seippel, CEO of WorthPoint, enjoys watching the items sold at auctions held by our WorthPoint Industry Partners. We thought it would be a great idea for him to select some of his favorite sold items and explain why those sales stood out to him. Gaining insights from Will is an excellent way to learn about buying and selling trends in our industry. We want to empower you to buy and sell with confidence. Take a look at his thoughts on a few of our partners’ recent sales.
Antiques never stop surprising us—take WorthPoint’s latest update on January 30, 2025, where a massive collection of 220,194 items made its way into the Price Guide. It’s not just about numbers; each piece tells a story, from rare collectibles to quirky curiosities, all contributing to a total of $13,596,019 or an average of $61.74 per item. Let’s take a look at some of our highlights.
Shaken but Not Stirred
If you’re a fan of classic cinema collectibles, you might want to get your hands on this 1962 Dr. No British Quad film poster featuring the first-ever appearance of the iconic James Bond. This piece isn’t just a poster—it’s a slice of history. Mitchell Hooks’s artwork perfectly captures Dr. No’s suspense and allure, the film that kicked off one of the longest-running franchises in movie history and created a cult classic that went on for decades. Over the last five years, Ewbank’s Auctions has consistently brought these vintage Bond posters to market, with prices reaching as high as $30,618.20—proof that fans and collectors are willing to shell out big bucks for a piece of 007’s legacy. This particular poster, which sold for $10,447.20 in January, is mounted on linen and still holds its charm despite one small crease. Considering its pedigree and condition, it’s a pretty solid deal!
The British Quad poster is 30” x 40”, the perfect size to make a statement without taking over your whole wall. While the crease might have nudged the price down a bit, it’s still a coveted find for any Bond aficionado or collector of vintage movie memorabilia. With twenty-five Bond films in the rearview and more on the horizon, this poster represents a thrilling moment in cinematic history, when 007 first charmed the world.
Smokin’ Hot
Talk about a rare find! Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates recently auctioned off a striking Nippon humidor featuring a Native American motif for $1,875. This isn’t just any humidor—it’s a standout piece of Nippon porcelain boasting bold, polychrome decorations and three high-relief portraits of an indigenous man adorned with a full feathered headdress. The matching top, likely original to the piece, adds extra charm and authenticity. Given that this is the only example listed in our database, it’s a true rarity in the world of collectible Nippon pieces. At this price, it’s far more affordable than some of the pricier humidors, like the Martin Brothers Wally Bird versions we wrote about earlier this week. Most Nippon humidors can be found in the $50-$750 range, so this one stands out as a noteworthy acquisition for any collector.
Stunning Glass
The auction didn’t stop there, though. The top-selling lot at Evans’ sale was a pair of Northwood Leaf Mold Dresser decanters, which went for a solid $2,625. These stunning canary and cranberry glass pieces, introduced by Northwood in 1891, are truly eye-catching, especially under black light. While the decanters had some minor issues, like light residue and a bit of flaking on the stopper, their rarity, and unique color patterns made them a hot commodity.
A rare gem recently sold at Leland Little was a 1682 first edition of An Account of the Province of Carolina, which fetched $12,600. This book is a significant piece of colonial American history, showcasing the early promotional efforts to settle the Carolina region. The book is a first printing, identifiable by errors in the typeset that were later corrected in subsequent editions—details that make this one all the more valuable to collectors. For context, a second edition of this book sold for $15,000 in 2023 at Charlton Hall, so this first edition seems like a bargain by comparison. The rebound calf leather binding, featuring elegant gilt-stamped detailing and custom slipcase, only adds to its allure. With a fascinating copper plate engraving by Francis Lamb of the Southeast, this book isn’t just a read; it’s a visual and historical treasure from a pivotal time in American colonization.
One Expensive Beer Can
We started off with a 1962 Dr. No movie poster, and now, we’re wrapping up with something a little more down-to-earth—a 1940s Budweiser can by Du Bois Brewing that sold for an eye-popping $45,045 at Morean Auctions on January 19. While it might not be the James Bond of beer cans, this Du Bois Brewing container is considered one of the rarest and most pristine examples in the hobby. With its beautiful, bold graphics, near-perfect condition, and immaculate crown, it’s the kind of piece that collectors dream about. If you’re in the market for rare beer memorabilia, this can is the crème de la crème, but at $45,000, this bud may not be for you!
Will Seippel is the founder, president, and CEO of WorthPoint. Will has been an avid collector since 1974 and dealer of just about all things antique—with an emphasis on ephemera— since 1984. He is also the creator and founder of HIP, a website devoted to recording the best of the world’s history that has been saved on film.
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