#Insights #Auction #Sales #Week #December #WorthPoint
Will Seippel, CEO of WorthPoint, enjoys watching the items being 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 this week’s sales.
4 Million Dollar Sales Dodger’s Spanking at Goldin’s
As we wrap up 2024, I’m highlighting some of the craziest auction results from earlier in the year, and Goldin Auctions is leading the charge. They’re regularly smashing the million-dollar mark, and their October 23rd sale of a Shohei Ohtani baseball is no exception, bringing in a staggering $4.392 million. Ohtani is in a league of his own, becoming the only player ever to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. This particular ball came from his 49th home run of the year, hit during a game where the Dodgers thrashed the Marlins 20-4. Ohtani hit his 50th later that same day. Goldin did a fantastic job covering this historic moment.
But that wasn’t the only jaw-dropping result from Goldin’s this year. They also shattered the million-dollar barrier again with the sale of a 1903 E107 Breisch-Williams set, which went for $1.1 million. Honestly, at this point, it feels like Goldin’s breaks the million-dollar mark more often than I get around to mowing my lawn!
In November, Eldred’s had one of the most fascinating auctions I’ve seen in a while. As someone who’s spent much time in Maine, I’ve always loved this place—both as a buyer and a seller. One of the standout lots was a late 19th-century “Naturalist’s Library Mammalia” box, which went for a whopping $63,000. Inside was a collection of 30 whalebone and ivory items, including a rare book and a couple of old photos. The box was beautifully made of mahogany and had an engraving from Robert Hamilton, a marine biologist from England. The whole set was from his collection, and it’s honestly something you don’t see every day. I’ve never come across anything quite like it!
Also in the sale were a couple of incredible Bradford maritime paintings. The top sale was A Ship Trapped in Arctic Ice, which really captured the tension of a ship stuck in the frozen sea. Bradford was known for his dramatic portrayals of life at sea, and this painting certainly delivered. Another piece in the sale showed fishing off the coast, likely Labrador, a perfect example of his detailed, atmospheric style. Both paintings came from the Edward McManus Collection, and you could feel the history and significance behind them. If you’re into maritime art, these pieces were the real deal!
The 1953 Drone Alien Invasion
On October 27, e-Movie Posters held another incredible auction, and the results were nothing short of amazing. One of the top lots was an original 1953 War of the Worlds British quad movie poster for a hefty $23,000. This movie was a game-changer in cinema, creating such a stir that people believed the Martian invasion depicted on screen was real! The poster itself is a rare find, with only a few minor creases and small tears, but its bright colors and great condition make it a must-have for sci-fi or horror poster collectors. Other notable sales included a 1935 Werewolf of London title card that sold for $18,700. The first-release movie paper from this classic Universal werewolf film is incredibly scarce, and this was the first time this particular card had ever been auctioned.
And something that every man should fear, the Attack of the 50-Foot Woman, a featured sale that fetched $10,057. This 1958 sci-fi monster poster is a popular piece among horror fans, and the unrestored condition only added to its value. With just a few minor creases and slight wear, it’s in amazing shape considering its age. What’s incredible is how all these posters—classic horror and sci-fi films from the 1930s and 1950s—continue to fetch impressive prices. These sales highlight a strong market for vintage movie posters, especially for iconic films like these. If you’ve ever thought about diving into the world of collectible posters, these prices show that the demand is as strong as ever.
Being Railroaded
Reflecting on some of the standout items from this year, I can’t believe I missed mentioning this stunning painting by Paul Starrett. The Horse Show, S. Woodstock, Vermont from 1949 sold at Grogan’s for $118,750, and it’s easy to see why. As a fan of Woodstock, VT myself, I love how this piece perfectly captures the town’s timeless charm and beauty, with its rolling hills and vibrant horse show scene. Starrett’s regionalist style brings out the heart of small-town America, and it’s a true testament to New England life post-WWII. Given its rarity and connection to such a beloved location, this is likely a record for the artist—and maybe for anything tied to Woodstock, VT!
In the world of railway memorabilia, King Edward VIII ex Great Western Railway Collet King Class 4-6-0 nameplate really got “railroaded” at G.W. Railwayana Auctions Ltd, selling for $22,936 on November 1, 2024. Someone back in the 1960s clearly had the foresight to strip these nameplates off before the locomotive was scrapped—proof that there’s more treasure at the scrapyard than you might think! This particular plate, in great condition with some restoration, is a rare piece of history from a 1930s steam giant. It’s a perfect example of how valuable a “scrapyard find” can be when it’s in the right hands. And with a few other pricey nameplates in the sale, G.W. Railwayana made sure this auction wasn’t just “track” record-breaking—it was a full-on locomotive-level event!
Then, of course, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the jaw-dropping $114,224 sale of the Boba Fett Prototype Star Wars figure at Hake’s on November 21, 2024. This rocket-firing Boba Fett is the Holy Grail for Star Wars collectors, a piece of toy history that was never officially released due to safety concerns. Only a handful of these rare prototypes exist, and they’re highly sought after by anyone serious about their collection. With its distinctive missile feature and an AFA 85 NM+ grade, this figure is as close as you can get to owning a piece of Star Wars legend. It’s no wonder that this elusive Boba Fett fetched such a hefty price—only a select few will ever have the chance to own one!
In the category of “bizarre” and “you can sell anything,” this round crab pot trap took in $203 at 2nd Cents, Inc. on December 14, 2024. Who knew a simple 13″ diameter trap could fetch such a price? 2nd Cents, based in Cleveland, has proven time and again that they can turn just about anything into a hot commodity. It’s a fun reminder that even the most unexpected items can find their market—especially with the right audience!
December 22: You Know the End of the World Is Near
Humankind has always had its share of believers in the end of the world. Today, we worry about drones, nuclear weapons, and viruses—40% of Americans live in a FEMA disaster zone. But back in the mid-19th century, when the idea of the end was more biblical than technological, what did you do to take the edge off? Well, one clever carver in the Erzgebirge region of Germany made a grand Noah’s Ark, complete with 230 flocked animals, to sell to the masses. And, just to make sure it was extra special, he constructed it with incredible craftsmanship, featuring a hand-painted frieze, pegged construction, and carved lines that mimicked curved planks. Fast forward to December 13, 2024, and this remarkable piece—still in excellent condition after over 160 years—sold at Bertoia Auctions for a whopping $36,000.
It’s one of only two “Grande Arks” known to exist with this many flocked animals, the other being housed at the Folk Art Museum in Colonial Williamsburg. Despite some restoration to a few of the animals, this piece is practically a one-of-a-kind treasure. From its mid-1800s German origins to its successful auction sale in the U.S., this ark proves that even in times of uncertainty, people have always found ways to craft beauty—and, occasionally, make a little profit while doing it!
Selling at the same Bertoia auction for the same $36,000 price was this truly unique Pumpkin Vegetable Man candy container lantern. At 11″ tall, it’s an incredible mix of charm and weirdness, with a cabbage patch body, carrot legs, and potato shoes—truly a work of oddball art. What’s even more impressive is its original paper inserts and leafy collar, along with the lantern head that still holds the original wire candle holder. This delightful and bizarre piece proves that sometimes the most unexpected items can bring in big bucks. So, next time you spot something with carrots for legs, you might just want to take a second look—it could be worth more than you think!
In a truly impressive jewelry sale, Hindman auctioned off a diamond and platinum ring with two matching eternity bands for $190,500 on December 13, 2024. This wasn’t just any ring—its center stone was a stunning 10.89-carat diamond with VS1 clarity, making it a real showstopper. The pair of eternity bands, each set with princess-cut diamonds, only added to the sparkle. This auction featured several other lots that individually topped $100K, proving that high-end jewelry is still a hot commodity in today’s market. A reminder that when you combine exquisite craftsmanship with rare stones, the price tag can truly shine!
In a bizarrely absurd yet oddly charming sale, a 14″ x 20″ sheet of paper with 99 Mickey Mantle autographs fetched $247,143.60 at Lelands. It would have had 100 autographs, but Mantle added his own touch in the missing spot, writing “these pens suck”—a true piece of Mantle improvisation. For most of us, this sheet evokes memories of punishment sheets from childhood—like writing “I will not carve on my bed” a hundred times—but Mantle was doing this for a promotional partner. Given its one-of-a-kind nature, this sale seems like a steal at just $2,500 per autograph. Though, I can’t help but wonder if someone might eventually cut it up into individual signatures—now that would be an interesting twist!
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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