I also collect silver associated with The Gramophone Company and like yourself wouldn't pay this price for it.Starkton wrote: ↑Tue May 10, 2022 7:29 am I collect such things made of silver that are connected with the Gramophone Co. I saw this humidor at Sotheby's in 2008, so not exactly at a provincial auction house where expensive objects can slip through undetected by the international trade. The final price of 10,625 USD, which was just above the estimated price, was much too high for me: https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ec ... t.140.html
We're not talking about modern art, antique race cars or anything like that, where crazy price jumps can happen. The fact that the same cigar box should cost twice as much 14 years later shows how "realistic" the current pricing is.
PS: The key is still missing.
However, when I see such dedications and personal inscriptions I always feel a bit sad there aren't any family who would want the item. I'm not sure what the story is as to why this was available on the market but presumably there are no surviving family?