Does seem to be a bit on the high side... Then again, if that is something you really want and money is not the driving factor (i.e., want is), it happens.

My 'gut feeling' is that someone who is not a collector and really wanted it, didn't care. This is not a cheap hobby...

If a friend asked me to fairly appraise this item, auction value, I would have said $900-$950; even knowing what they were a few years ago.

__________________
Rather be outdoors