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.
On March 21, 2025, WorthPoint added over 241,000 items to its Price Guide, with a total value of nearly $14.8 million. That brings the average lot value to around $61.49.
Let It Be
At the recent Potters Auction, one item stood out as a far better buy than the four gold lots that fetched higher prices. In my opinion, time will likely prove this true, especially if the buyer decides to reintroduce the item to the market with proper authentication. I’m talking about an autograph book page from none other than the Fab Four—the Beatles. This remarkable page was obtained on November 24, 1963, at the Hull ABC Cinema, during their third of four performances in Hull, just a little over a year after Pete Best had been fired. It’s a rare piece of history, as the venue was torn down decades ago. Someone back then had the foresight to bring an autograph book and managed to secure signatures from all four Beatles at the height of their early fame. The page, removed from a rugby club autograph book, sold for just $2,427.69—an absolute steal considering its potential value once authenticated. The rest of the scrapbook, which went for a mere $22.66, didn’t include this magical page. Reuniting the page with the rest of the book could be a smart move, and it would add valuable context to this piece of Beatles history.
While the listing didn’t specify how the auction house verified when the autographs were obtained, one can reasonably assume that the item came with a cosigner’s confirmation. This confirmation is crucial for anyone looking to resell the page down the line. As for its worth, the price tag of $2,427.69 is but a fraction of what it could fetch once authenticated. This isn’t just a collection of signatures; it’s a slice of history from a pivotal moment in the Beatles’ journey, just after they had solidified their place in music.
A Surprise Price
One item that left me scratching my head was a watercolor painting listed at MaxSold simply as “Framed Multicolored Watercolor Art with Signature.” It was painted in 1968 and had an Asian flair—something a soldier might’ve brought back from Vietnam or while on R&R in the Philippines. The signature was difficult to decipher, but it seemed to read “Veraz.” The cataloger did a lackluster job, omitting basic details like the size, color palette, and year, yet surprisingly, the piece sold for $1,604.80. Perhaps someone had insider knowledge, or maybe it was a classic case of a P.T. Barnum moment. Either way, it was an odd sale, especially when you compare it to the more deserving gem that day—a stunning alabaster bust by Italian master Giovanni Brogi. This exquisite 15″ x 15″ sculpture, made with the multi-colored stones Brogi was known for, went for just $118 more at $1,722.80—a much better deal in my book.
Simply Stunning
The high-priced item of the day at Leland Little’s excellent estate jewelry sale was a stunning 9.46-carat cabochon sapphire, set in platinum and diamonds, which sold for $63,600. What makes this piece particularly fascinating is the ongoing debate over its origin. Over the years, different gemological reports have pinpointed varying sources for the stone—Kashmir, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and Madagascar—all adding intrigue to its rich history. As appraisers, we understand that the methods and technology in gemology evolve, and so does our understanding of these precious stones. Regardless of its precise origin, the sapphire is undeniably beautiful and authentic, showing the ever-changing nature of appraisal. This ring, gifted initially by John McKee Stratton to his bride, June Love Stratton, came with a remarkable provenance, descending through generations from the late Elizabeth Pratt, a prominent New York socialite. Its rich history and stunning craftsmanship made it an impressive sale, though one can’t help but marvel at how appraisal practices evolve and continue to surprise.
A Glimpse into History
In closing, we turn to a fascinating piece from Green Valley—an ambrotype of a Confederate soldier, Charlie Vaughn, which sold for $2,686.86. This poignant photograph was sent by Vaughn to a man named Francis after the Battle of First Manassas, with an inscription on the reverse that provides a glimpse into its history. The note, dated February 3, 1862, references Vaughn’s time in Manassas and mentions a trip to Farmville by someone named Alice. While further research could shed more light on the soldier’s story, this relic offers enough intrigue to warrant a deeper investigation and bring it back from the forgotten. The clear image of the seated soldier, wearing a frock coat with gilt-enhanced buttons, adds to the artifact’s allure, making it not just a piece of history but a reminder of lives lost in the Civil War. The ambrotype, housed in a leatherette case, may have a few issues—like a separated hinge—but its historical significance makes it worth preserving and exploring further.
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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