Rare Francis Barlee Entire On Ebay - $1.2 Million

Thought everyone would be interested in the following link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1832-RARE-FRANC...em43a6f9335b

An interesting person but I fail to see why the letter would be so valuable.

That's because you are not a fool. Only a fool has the qualities to fully appreciate its value.

The item made today's top 10:

http://www.stamplists.com/MostExpensive.asp

As you may have guessed, the list is dominated by sellers who are "fishing for fools".

Even some major dealers can't seem to shake the temptation. See the US Scott #36c that made the list (for May 10, 2011)? They are trying to fool someone into paying 1/4 million US dollars; that's 20 times catalog value! It has major defects (closed tear, crease, pinholes...), but with a great sales line --


how can you NOT want to buy it?

With regard to ebay - it is interesting to see Paul Fraser Collectibles (part of the Stanley Gibbons stable) trying to flog a Great Britain Tyrian Plum for a cool US$125,000.

They are charging US$85 shipping.

At that price, you would think they would catch a plane and hand deliver the thing.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...320682503382

So why is it that Paul Fraser has a bunch of autographs and clothing listed, and then only a single high-ticket stamp lot? Did he accidentally find the stamp tucked in one of the pockets? I really don't get it.

I think Paul must have swapped it with Stanley for an Elvis autograph or a strand of Napoleon's hair...

You would think that Paul would have some real collectibles for sale, like Lady Di signed FDC's, etc.

Elvis autographs are pretty easy to come by for me. You know he's still alive -- he's my next door neighbor. I get his autograph every day when I jog past his house! I've got a few thousand of his autographs in an accordian folder in my filing cabinet.

Now the Frances Barlee signature, that's a true rarity...

Growing more foolish every minute...

We are growing together me thinks

WEll, I guess I can't bid since I have never heard of her. At least that's what the seller said.

What I like most is that he still charges $35 for shipping :) ...and he accepts Paypal as payment...Paypal fees would be $22,781