Back in 2008-9, I was collecting a lot of GGA and didn't yet have a Stevens example. A couple of friends connected with the Stevens market asked me what I'd be interested in, and I threw out the Airboy #5 cover, the Vanguard Illustrated #2 cover and the Vampirella: Transcending Time & Space TPB wraparound cover. I was told that the Airboy #5 and a number of unspecified other big pieces were still with the estate, the Vanguard #2 cover was presumed to be out in the wilderness somewhere and the Vampi was with a known collector who was close to Dave and not likely to ever sell it (it later showed up on CAF in 2010).
Apparently a lot of people thought the estate would be selling everything soon after Dave's passing, which turned out not to be the case. A lot of collectors apparently contacted the estate about buying art "with indecent haste", as my friend put it, after Dave's passing. I do know of at least one piece that left the estate since then, but I'm not sure how much else may or may not have. So, six years ago they still had the Airboy #5 and a lot of other great pieces, but I do not know the current status of their holdings.
The piece you are referring to as having left is a painting correct?
"Indecent haste" is a tricky thing to manage. If you believe that the estate will be selling well you don't want someone else to beat you to it (which is understandable) but of course you don't want to upset the family.
Buying from estates is tricky period. The family tends to think the items are either worthless or priceless, with very little in-between. You're either in a position of trying not to take advantage of them, or of trying not to be taken advantage of yourself.
Very well said.