Money

[boots and saddles]

More money than brains even if they are on this forum. Ray http://cgi.ebay.com/WWII-CANADIAN-SH...1%7C240%3A1318 (Kent Regiment of Canada embroidered shoulder title)

[Bill A]

You know, you have to wonder if there is shill bidding going on. That is not a scarce title.

[boots and saddles]

I know it bill

[Bill A]

Just had another look at this listing, and there are only two bidders, both with relatively low feedback bidding on this lot. Maybe they know something that we don't?
We will never likely know why the bid went so high, but I have found that when the "genealogists" get involved in artefacts, the price tends to be unpredictable. Even common items can be silly. I sold a Royal Regiment of Canada canvas title for over $120 US (when the exchange rate was similar to now), to a fellow who was collecting badges for a display for his dad's medals. He wasn't even aware of the difference between embroidered and printed titles when he bought the example. He just had to have it for his dad.

[Wyn vdSchee]

BillA wrote

but I have found that when the "geneologists" get involved in artefacts, the price tends to be unpredictable.

I think you have hit the nail squarely on the head, Bill. There are a lot of "genealogists" out there looking for an example of grandpa's badge and they only want one, so the cost does not matter as much. It is certainly driving up the price not only of CEF badges but of anything related to the First World War. The CEF Study Group has a large number of "one-off" collectors who have no idea of market values and will pay almost anything for the item they want. Bad for the collecting fraternity.
Wyn

[Bill A]

Originally Posted by Wyn vdSchee

a large number of "one-off" collectors who have no idea of market values and will pay almost anything for the item they want. Bad for the collecting fraternity.
Wyn

But good for the vendor... if you have what they need..