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 25, 2025, WorthPoint added a whopping 264,161 items to its database, totaling a value of $22,391,446.55. That comes out to an average lot value of about $84.76.
Auction House of the Stars
Darren Julien has certainly earned his place in the world of high-profile memorabilia sales, and he’s earned a nickname for it: “The House of the Stars.” I first heard that term years ago when he was handling memorabilia from soccer legend Pelé, and at the time, I thought it was a great marketing move. But what I didn’t realize was that it was more than just a catchy phrase—it was spot on. Darren is as down-to-earth as they come, the real deal, and genuinely a fantastic person to work with. He’s not just selling items; he’s telling stories that resonate with collectors, and that’s a skill that’s hard to find.
This reputation was especially evident in Julien’s January 18 sale, where the world saw what happens when the right piece hits the market at the right time. In one of the standout moments, a set of handwritten drafts of Bob Dylan’s Mr. Tambourine Man sold for $508,000. This was more than just a song—it was a piece of history that shaped a generation. The song, recorded in 1965, captured a moment in American history and culture, reflecting the swirling chaos of the times. The drafts, with Dylan’s personal annotations, showed the creative evolution of this legendary song, and that kind of behind-the-scenes glimpse is exactly what collectors crave. Darren owned the day with a sale that brought in over $1.1 million from just the top five lots.
The sale perfectly illustrates a point I often make: “Paper is king.” Why? Because paper is easy to ship, doesn’t take up much space, and is often collected worldwide, even in a digital age. Paper doesn’t require a partner to physically move it, and yet it can be worth more than its weight in gold. And with iconic items like these Dylan drafts disappearing from the scene as more and more content moves to electronic mediums, the value of these tangible pieces becomes all the more significant. As shown by the massive success of this auction, paper truly is king, especially when it holds such cultural and historical weight.
Stunning Galle Pieces of Art
Despite the politicians’ back-and-forth on trade issues and currency fluctuations between the US and Europe, these debates haven’t seemed to shake things up in the antiques market much—except for driving interest toward quality assets like gold and jewels. It’s been business as usual, with prices at Antikeo, a solid indicator of the Euro market, continuing to climb. One of the standout pieces in their recent sale was a Galle vase that was labeled “monumental.” While the size wasn’t specified in the listing, the word “monumental” seemed to refer more to the intricate design and subject matter. The vase featured the “aux Libellules” motif, which might sound obscure to many, but it actually refers to a fantastical island that sometimes appeared on nautical maps. The design, with its detailed relief work, was stunning.
The vase went for $35,326, which set a new record for this particular form on WorthPoint. Though the size wasn’t clear, the final price was certainly monumental in itself. In comparison, the highest price we’ve seen for a Galle vase was $70,000, which came from an eBay/Levy’s Palm Beach sale in 2015. That piece had a stemmed base, making it even rarer, so this latest sale proves that there is still strong demand for Galle’s distinctive glasswork, even in more common forms.
The second Galle item at the sale that caught my attention was a display case, which took me by surprise. I had forgotten that Galle also designed and made furniture, and I’d never seen a display vitrine by him before. This one was crafted from solid walnut and boasted exquisite marquetry, decorated with clematis vines. The craftsmanship was impeccable, and it sold for $24,740. It’s a reminder that Galle’s artistry extended far beyond glass vases and into furniture as well, and the value placed on his furniture pieces shows just how much his work is appreciated across all mediums.
A Seaman with a Sense of Humor
To wrap things up, the “Fun Item of the Day” definitely goes to Crawford Auction for their sale of a WWII seaman’s jacket that stole the show. This jacket, painted during the war with colorful, comical cartoons, was a real gem. The artist had some serious talent, and the playful designs—featuring curvy women—could easily rival the nose art on planes from the same era. The jacket’s former owner must’ve been a character, someone I would’ve loved to have on deck in my Civilian Navy unit in Atlanta. Along with the jacket, the lot also included personal photos and clippings from the owner’s time in WWII, offering a glimpse into his world. The hammer price was only $1,680, which is a steal for such a unique piece. It serves as a great reminder to keep a sense of humor, even during tough times, and not take yourself too seriously—this sailor was probably the Navy’s version of the Army’s “sad sack.”
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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