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#WorthPoint #VintagePhotography #SportsCollectibles #BeerCollectibles #FolkArt #HistoricalArt #AntiqueCollecting #RareCoins #HistoricalCurrency #CollectibleArt #VintageSportsCards #BeerMemorabilia #FolkArtCollecting #HistoricalPhotography #AntiqueCurrency
Will Seippel, CEO of WorthPoint, recently shared his insights on some standout auction sales from WorthPoint’s Industry Partners. These observations provide valuable lessons on buying and selling trends in the collectibles industry, helping enthusiasts make informed decisions. On April 20, WorthPoint added 475,179 items to its Price Guide, with a total value of $162,015,941.87, averaging $340.96 per lot. Here are some of Will’s favorite sales and why they caught his attention.
Mickey Mantle’s Iconic Photo: A Million-Dollar Shot
A photograph of Mickey Mantle used for his 1951 Bowman rookie card sold for nearly $1 million, making it one of the most remarkable sales. Certified as a Type 1 original silver gelatin photo, its authenticity and rarity contributed to its sky-high value. Type 1 classification ensures it’s an original, distinguishing it from even the best reprints. Will notes that while other originals of this photo exist, this one’s sale highlights the enduring appeal of sports memorabilia. The photo was part of Heritage’s March and April 2024 Sports Sale, which saw impressive results, with the top five lots alone bringing in $2.1 million. This sale underscores the potential value of vintage sports photography, prompting collectors to reconsider their old photo collections.
Fort Pitt Beer Clock: A Timeless Piece of Cool
Morean Auctions, known for beer collectibles, featured a standout sale of a Fort Pitt Beer clock, which Will describes as “oozing cool.” The clock, steeped in historical significance from 18th-century Pennsylvania, fetched $15,210. Its stylish design and nostalgic charm make it a unique piece that modern breweries rarely emulate. In contrast, a Hop Gold Ye Old English Ale can sold for $47,970, highlighting the intense demand for rare beer cans among collectors. While Will personally prefers the clock, he acknowledges the can’s rarity and condition justify its price. The sale’s top five lots collectively brought in $101,430, showcasing the lucrative nature of beer-related collectibles.
Maud Lewis Painting: A Heartwarming Masterpiece
From Miller & Miller’s folk art sale, a Maud Lewis painting stood out to Will as his favorite lot of the day. Depicting two oxen in the snow, the piece combined Lewis’s signature cheerful folk style with a touch of realism, making it uniquely captivating. The red yoke against the white snow and green trees evoked a festive, Christmas-like vibe, leaving Will with a smile. The painting sold for $12,762.09, a price he believes was well worth it. While the auction’s top lot was a Merganser Drake carving by Captain Edwin Bachman for $25,524.17, Will was equally drawn to a Collins Eisenhauer carving of a man shaping a swan, which sold for $9,538.86. The entire sale brought in $273,725.08 across 304 lots, demonstrating the timeless appeal of folk art.
The “Tombstone Note”: A Morbidly Fascinating Piece
Key Date Coins offered a $10 “Tombstone Note” featuring Thomas Hendricks, Grover Cleveland’s vice president who died in 1885 after serving only a few months. The note, first issued in 1886, was framed in a tombstone-shaped border, earning it its eerie nickname. The public found the design distasteful, adding to its intrigue. Hendricks remains the only U.S. vice president to appear solo on a paper bill, making this a unique piece of currency history. Graded XF45, the note sold for $7,670 at auction. Will describes it as a slightly morbid yet fascinating collectible, sparking curiosity and conspiracy theories about its creation.
WorthPoint’s Mission: Empowering Collectors
Will Seippel’s passion for collectibles spans decades, from his early days as a collector in 1974 to founding WorthPoint in 2007. His insights into these sales reflect his deep appreciation for history, rarity, and storytelling behind collectible items. WorthPoint’s mission—Discover. Value. Preserve.—aligns with Will’s vision of helping collectors make informed decisions by providing comprehensive data and insights.
These sales highlight the diverse and dynamic nature of the collectibles market, from sports memorabilia and vintage beer items to folk art and rare currency. By examining these trends through Will’s perspective, collectors can gain a better understanding of what drives value and how to approach buying and selling with confidence. Whether it’s a million-dollar photo or a heartwarming painting, each piece tells a story, connecting us to the past and enriching the world of collecting.
