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 26, 2025, WorthPoint added a whopping 239,731 items to its Price Guide, bringing the total value to $36,631,217.85. That works out to an average lot value of $152.80!
Vanity or Desk?
Was it the buy of the day? Well, you had to be in the “Buy It or Bid on It” mindset to really play the game. Recently, I wrote about George Nakashima’s Mid-Century Modern furniture, and while it’s certainly eye candy, it’s not exactly cheap. Unless, of course, you’re lucky enough to find a bargain, like the vanity from Nakashima’s Origins Series that sold for just $1,651. Now, I would’ve called it a desk—honestly, it’s not too far off from a Conoid desk in terms of design, which would typically fetch ten times that price. But alas, it’s a vanity for the night, and that’s what it’s classified as, even though one with a bench went for $4,410 at Rago’s in 2024.
Alongside the vanity, a partial Nakashima headboard was up for grabs in the same sale and went for just $1,021. The “Origins” collection itself, which features Nakashima’s signature use of rare and striking woods like laurel and rosewood, always carries that unique blend of artistry and nature. It’s a shame this particular vanity wasn’t recognized for its true potential, but even with a few signs of age and veneer issues, it was still a piece of furniture that might just prove that sometimes, even the smaller items can carry a big punch in value.
Back in November…
Julien’s November 2024 sale kept the Beatles’ legacy alive with a Futurama Hamburg Cavern Club Guitar that was photo matched to George Harrison at the famous Cavern Club event. This guitar, which was a steal at the time—only $160, or about $1,600 today after inflation—sold for $1,270,000, less than half the price of the Lennon Hootenanny guitar sold in May. A truly incredible jump in value for such a modestly priced instrument in its day! The guitar was played by Harrison during the Beatles’ early performances and was even used on their first official recordings for Polydor, making it a historic piece for collectors.
Also in this sale, Olivia Newton-John’s leather jacket from Grease, worn during the final scene where she and John Travolta perform “You’re the One That I Want,” fetched an impressive $476,250. The jacket, with its three front pockets, zip closures, and silver-tone hardware, is an unforgettable piece of cinematic history. Meanwhile, William Shatner’s Phaser prop from Star Trek sold for $910,000. This “Finney Phaser,” one of only four hero props ever made for the series, was used in multiple iconic episodes like Court Martial and The Gamesters of Triskelion. With such strong ties to the Star Trek universe, this piece was truly a one-of-a-kind collector’s item. The top five lots in this sale totaled a staggering $3.9 million, proving this auction was a pop culture goldmine.
Unopened Boxes
Pot of Gold‘s recent auction was a vintage arcade lover’s dream, with some stunning finds that brought in impressive prices. A Pulp Fiction Pinball Machine, still in its unopened box, sold for $7,140, offering collectors a piece of cinematic nostalgia in pristine condition. Also in an unopened box, a Neon Rifle Shooting Gallery Sign fetched $4,195, its nearly 8-foot length and vibrant neon lights making it a true standout. The sign, with its action-packed lighting effects, would definitely be the highlight of any collection. In the same sale, a massive 10-foot Mail Pouch tin tobacco sign, in excellent condition despite its age, brought in $4,367. With bright colors and minimal wear, this vintage enamel sign would add a touch of Americana to any space.
A Slice of History
In closing, someone certainly struck it rich at Trice Auctions with a book of 200 rare DELMARVA (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia) Canning Tokens. These tokens are a fascinating slice of agricultural history once handed out by growers to field workers and later redeemed for goods at company stores. The winning bid was a bargain at just $2.77 per token, though the former owner likely paid much more—probably well over $5,000. With some rare tokens selling for more than $1,000 each, it’s no wonder that auctions are the go-to place for savvy collectors. This is just one example of why we love the thrill of hunting for treasures in the auction world.
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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