Topic: How much is a Kaj Franck 'worth'?

[Deb of Oz]

Hello People
I don't surprise easily but I was totally gobsmacked by an auction on ebay australia yesterday.

It was for a candlestick Item number: 160081574864 engraved with "Kaj Franck Nuutajarvi-Notsjo" and either 68 or 65; similar to the one www.freeformsusa.com/glass/glass4.htm and www.flickr.com/photos/59481749@N00/389662649/.

Freeformsusa is selling it for US$145, so I decided I'd never be able to afford it and only watched.

Boy, was I right!!!!

It sold for Aust$10,000. No, that is not a misprint. The bidding went from $123 to $9,900 in one graceful leap, and then to the final bid. I don't have any reference books & Judith Miller is out on loan.

Which one of these prices accurately reflects reality please? If it's the $10K then the first person to read this is going to make a killing at freeformsusa!

thanks
Deb

[Piper]

  10k!!! For a candlestick??!! *faints*

[Catisfaction]

*Faints*

Thats Got to be a case of two people setting nuclear snipes so they guarantee they win it. Neither one wants to get outbid by a few dollars so they set astronomical last minute bids BUT when two people do it you see such a sudden jump in price.

Personally I'd think the other Value is more realistic. Even though as we all know value is whatever someones willing to pay...

I stumbled on a tiny little Kaj Franck bowl a few months back, had no idea who he was at that particular time. This bowl was no bigger than the cupped palm of my hand but I got well over $100 USD for it although I forget exactly how much now. Definately not even close to 10 grand lol.

[Ivo]

Designlasin Hintakirja has it listed around 60 Euros, based on auction results in Finland. Signed is always more, say 50%, but 10,000 Oz$ is completely out of range.

[josordoni]

I see a non paying bidder and a strike coming over the horizon...

[David E]

Something very odd going on there:

Bidder 2:
1 = $87.00, then $9,900

Bidder 3:
1 = $90.50, then $10,000

Also both have a fairly high bid activity with the seller!

Did they both forget to use the decimal point?

[Pip]

  Karumba!!!!!  I think Cat's hit the nail on the head - two people by coincidence setting silly bids just to ensure they get it with this totally bizarre result.  I'd never do that although I do know someone who does.  He puts several thousand pounds on something as a maximum bid just to ensure he doesn't get outbid at the last minute - in his defence he's very wealthy and so could afford it if the worse happened but even so....

[Deb of Oz]

Thanks everyone. You've made me feel sane again. (If that's possible)

Even a misplaced decimal point would still be $900 to $1000, as the bidding had already passed $99 & $100. I've seen pictures of glass at the $10K level and it has more to offer.

It never occurred to me that anyone would put in such a huge final bid to make sure of a win.

[Lustrousstone]

It could also be shill bidding of course

[josordoni]

Not likely to that level though....