>  [ An interesting idea, but why would sellers chose a small private
>  [ auction instead of eBay or well-established auction houses such
>  [ such as Christie's or Galerie de Chartres?  -- Robbie

Just a thought, Robbie.  Firstly, there's a ready-made captive audience.
If anyone is really interested in these instruments they would already
be subscribers.  Secondly, there would be no chance of a fraud as there
would be no outsiders.

I, for one, would think twice before bidding on any item on eBay for
fear of falling victim to such a fraud.

Regards,
John Page, UK