I feel that the answer to this well posed question is seen not only in t he final price, the Masi valued at $1150 (32%) more (and the He rse sold only at the reserve), but, more obviously, in the number of bidders, i.e. 26 to 1.
Such is the ratio of interest in Masi vs. Herse.
Certainly the fact that the Masi was built by Alberto Masi and the Herse
was a posthumous production by another hand must had some influence in
the outcome. It certainly influenced me--not to bid on the Herse.
George
George Hollenberg MD
Westport, CT, USA
Date: Monday, September 17, 2007 6:15 pm Subject: [CR] pink René Herse vs. Masi Prestige
To: CR
> Well, apparently the market has spoken:
>
> The Herse seen here: http://www.reneherse.com/
> for the
> opening bid of $2500 (it was the only bid received).
>
> The Masi Prestige seen here:
> http://ebay.com/
> had three bidders willing to bid past the opening bid of the
> Herse and
> ended up at $3650 with a total of 26 bids from 10 different bidder
s).
>
> Given that both bikes were from the same year, the same racing
> style and
> close to identical condition and frame size, with similar number
> of
> auction views, does anybody want to comment on the difference in
> perceived value and bidding interest? Was it the more
> prestigious
> componentry (note I say prestigious and not better)? The closer
> tie-in
> with the 'named' builder? The better bike? The more collecti
on
> worthy?
> The workmanship? The auction set-up with low starting bid?
>
> Steven Maasland
> Moorestown, NJ
> USA
>
> _______________________
________________________
>
George Hollenberg MD
CT, USA