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 February 27, 2025, WorthPoint added 238,640 items to its Price Guide, with a total value of $14,153,975—giving us an average lot value of $59.31. The low average price suggests a solid market with some good deals, but it looks like the real star lots were a bit harder to find.
Action-Packed Auctions
The auctions were packed with solid comic lots, kicking off with a strong showing from Ewbank’s. One of the standout items was an Amazing Spider-Man #1, which, though ungraded and in lower grade, was an untampered copy that sold for $10,643. Alongside it, a #1 X-Men comic, also in original condition but a bit rougher, went for $6,222.26. Ewbanks didn’t stop with Spider-Man and X-Men; they also sold a #1 The Avengers for $3,274 and a #1 Daredevil for $2,947. These were all on the worn side, making them perfect for someone looking to start a collection with the intention of upgrading to higher-grade copies down the road.
These #1 issues, while showing their age, have huge appeal for collectors, especially with their iconic status in the Marvel universe. The Amazing Spider-Man #1, for example, marks Spider-Man’s second appearance and the first appearance of key characters like J. Jonah Jameson and the Chameleon. Similarly, The Avengers #1 is a cornerstone Marvel issue, featuring the first appearance and origin of the Avengers, including iconic characters like Loki. Daredevil #1, another gem, showcases Matt Murdock’s first appearance in his iconic yellow suit. These comics may not be in mint condition, but they offer a great starting point for any collector aiming to build a classic Marvel collection.
Beautiful Work
CTBids recently sold four paintings by the late Parisian artist Antoine Blanchard, known for his vibrant depictions of Paris street scenes. Blanchard’s work, full of color and life, is not particularly rare, but it is highly regarded for capturing the charm of daily life in Paris. While these four paintings were sold separately, their combined value topped just over $16,000. The market for Blanchard’s work has softened in the last couple of years, and although these prices were lower than what we saw in 2021/2022, they were still solid when compared to recent trends. Blanchard’s paintings might not be fetching the same high prices as before, but they remain a classic choice for collectors of Parisian art.
Hand-Carved Hat? Yes.
Native Northwest items made a strong impression at R.G. Munn, with several unique pieces selling for impressive prices. A 20th-century Haida hand-carved wooden hat, measuring 5.5” x 13” and despite being split and reglue, sold for $3,100. A beautiful 1940s Zuni inlaid bracelet, crafted from sterling silver, turquoise, coral, and shell, went for $2,600.
A Stunning Native Dance Rattle
My favorite piece of the day was a Northwest ceremonial dance rattle, which sold for $3,375 at Pook & Pook. This early to mid-20th century rattle, carved and painted in a classic raven form, was a stunning example of Native art. Measuring 17 1/2” in length, the rattle’s vibrant polychrome surface and intricate carvings made it stand out, and its 100-year age only added to its appeal.
Rock-n-Roll Love Triangle
The sleeper of the day at Casco Bay Auctions was this custom-designed wedding kimono, created by rocker Todd Rundgren for his anticipated wedding to model Bebe Buell. As the story goes, one kimono was made for each of them, and this piece seems to have been hers, as evidenced by a signed note from Bebe included in the auction. The wedding never happened—Bebe got involved with Steven Tyler, became pregnant, and Rundgren agreed to sign the birth certificate as the father despite knowing he wasn’t. A lot going on there! This kimono, at 73 inches in length and in good condition, sold for just $360. With such a wild backstory and rock ‘n’ roll provenance, it’s hard to believe it didn’t fetch more. After all, a piece like this—half of a one-of-a-kind pair in a love triangle, could be marketed as the ultimate rock memorabilia. This item will turn up again.
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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