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Info on Mdina Ornament - Axe head?

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David555:
Strange bidding - two bids by one user name taking it up to £600.00 - can't see bidders buying habbits as last sale was too long ago.

Mmmm something fishy I think (sorry for pun)

Adam P

David E:
Adam: if you decide to increase your initial bid it does appear like that - effectively placing two bids. I don't think this is 'fishy'.

However, please note the comment now on the listing:


--- Quote ---... there are a few very arrogant glass dealers who believe it to be the signature of Joseph Said.
--- End quote ---

Well, I'm no dealer, or even an avid Mdina collector (wallet, not choice! :lol: ), but even I know that Michael Harris left Mdina in 1972 due to the political situation caused by the Dom Mintoff government of the time.

It simply does not add up but, like Mark, I'm uneasy about interfering with a live auction. But I also believe that in Mark and Sue we have two very knowledgeable Mdina-philes :roll:

David555:
True David

I am not accusing anyone of anything up front but shill bidding has been known.

In such cases the dealer has a spare account and uses it to pump the price up.

I feel suspicious that the first bidder has put a bid of say over £600.00 in and then shown his cards so early - I mean 3 days still to go!

How many people would place a huge bid against his own 16 seconds after his first bid rather than watch other bidders come in and compete against what is really an unbeatable first bid for this now contentious item.

I also find the bids very interesting along with the timing of the dealer’s protests.

I will be interested to see if the bids are retracted 12 hours before the action ends.

I mean has a anyone been able to contact the bidder and say this is a lot of dosh for a piece with a disputed signature and date? - I have and no response.

These are just observations based on what we have seen on eBay before.

Adam P

Frank:

--- Quote from: "David555" ---How many people would place a huge bid against his own 16 seconds after his first bid rather than watch other bidders come in and compete against what is really an unbeatable first bid for this now contentious item.
--- End quote ---


At least one other :P if the first bid did not hit reserve.

David E:

--- Quote ---I am not accusing anyone of anything up front but shill bidding has been known.

In such cases the dealer has a spare account and uses it to pump the price up.
--- End quote ---

Sure, but did you realise the bidder is in the US?


--- Quote ---How many people would place a huge bid against his own 16 seconds after his first bid rather than watch other bidders come in
--- End quote ---

Admittedly I've never done it that quickly, but I have increased my own proxy bid after reassessing the item. It's rare I do this anyway as I normally snipe :twisted:

But who can tell what people are thinking when they see such a desirable item, albeit with a dubious attribution?

I've now sent the seller the following very conciliatory and diplomatic response.

--- Quote ---Hi,

As you may be aware, this item is currently being discussed on a glass forum. My own view is that as Michael Harris left Malta in 1972, during the Dom Mintoff crisis (Maltese Prime Minister at the time) it really is contentious to attribute it to Michael Harris. Particularly as his widow, Elizabeth (at Isle of Wight Studio Glass), will confirm this, as well as any acknowledged Mdina expert (which I don't claim to be).

I'm sure this is a genuine error by Navise and, as you state, 'We are NOT trying to con or inflate the price of this piece by falcifying facts about signatures' - I appreciate this and after such a long time it is understandable how errors can be made.

But as this is the case, perhaps it would be best not to claim outright that it is _definitely_ Michael Harris, when the weight of evidence says otherwise?

I hope you accept this advice in the spirit it was intended. Please feel free to reply.
--- End quote ---

I'll let you know if I get a reply.

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