I was equally amused by a used, two-tray Abafil case in the esale. I don't know the final hammer price, but when I last looked, bidding had exceeded the retail price (not counting buyer's fee) by about $50!
I thought that was crazy as well. Brand new they are $185 with two trays. The used one hammered $260, or $299 with fees. Obviously at least two people really wanted it!
This one below. Reviewing the price I paid ($120) I think it was pretty cheap actually. I am a sucker for patina.
Someone got a great deal on my book (less than it costs me), especially considering I don't have many left to sell and any other American buyer would have to get it shipped from Italy: https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=348675 It says it was inscribed so I wonder who bought it and decided they didn't want it
I almost bid on that coin. I am a sucker for coins of Faustina I. I do not think I placed any bids for it. I must have sensed a coin friend was bidding! Nick, your book is truly exceptional. I was actually going through it last night. I was disappointed when I saw the estimate they placed for your book. It is worth far far more than that. Peter
Book are an interesting commodity. When I first got interested in Septimius Severus, I bought a BMCRE vol. V at a used book store for $10. When I sold most of my collection, I felt lucky to find a guy who would give me my $10. After it had been out of print for a few years, I saw one go for $500. I have no idea what they sell for today but see the whole set of reprints going for more than the originals. Trying to make sense out of coin prices, book prices, auction results and many other parts of our hobby is not a good way to retain your sanity.
Thanks, I appreciate you saying so. Rizzo's monumental work went for a good price: https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=348743 I wish I had the funds for it at the moment, but I just bought a 1621 version of Alciati's Emblemata, and my wife will only let me buy so many books that I can't read! My version has two beautiful man-faced bulls, which he describes as minotaurs. One is depicted on the Roman legionary standard and I'm convinced it was originally Acheloios, and Pliny, who originally wrote about it, mistook Acheloios as a man-faced bull for a minotaur. And just for fun, Alciati's idea of the ultimate violation of nature:
Thanks for sharing Nick, but you might have to explain the bathroom photo above. I typed out the text but Google translated it into gibberish! Peter
The woman is defecating in a vessel specifically reserved for food. I do not have my translation handy, unfortunately, but you get the point.
I was very surprised by the estimate and the sale price. I consider the price i paid for mine to be money well spent. Give it 10 years and it will go for $300. John