What Aspects Of This Parcel Tag Caused It To Go So High?

I was anticipating this listing to wind up in the $25-40 range, and bid accordingly, only to be completely blown out of the water with the listing ending at $139.

What aspects of the tag caused it to go that high (as far as you can tell)? I was obiously interested for the revenue stamp usage. Revenue stamps paying the tax on parcel tags, while not common, are not particularly scarce/rare. Was it that factor, or is it the particular Washington-Franklins used, the dreaded "bidiot effect", or something else?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/UNUSUAL-DO...43663.l10137

My guess is the higher value W/F combo. Parcel tags are usually donned with Prexies or 4th bureau stamps and these are easy to source. I recently saw a single $1 Franklin on parcel tag go for around $150. I have a couple from the 1800's that I've been waiting to part with but can't find comparable sales to estimate value.

To help those of us who are not revenue specialists, does the tax apply to the tag itself and if so why, or the contents of the parcel?

There was a tax on parcel post for some years around WWI. And they are scarce on cover or tag. I am not at all surprised that it went so high.

And the person who won it only bid once, so his bid was higher still.

Here is the one I was referring to. Now I see it's a cartel listing so all bets off on value.






*Edited for accuracy*

That is NOT a cartel listing. US Stamp Shop is one of the best, most honest on ebay. A brick and mortar dealer as well.

I was afraid of that after I posted it and couldn't find association to the cartel through searching here. My humble apologies to US Stamp shop.

Solo use of a $1 is not a common item. On cover cat for 518 is $550, so the price seems reasonable.

I am a fan of us_stamp_shop on ebay but am not aware of a brick & mortar store (Phoenix?) Please advise.

Gary had a store and I am trying to remember exactly where in AZ. He was a member of USPCS as well. I will post when I find the info.