Charles,
I'd value the "e-Richie provenance premium" generally at $1k to $2k. However, in the case of this Masi, where he poured his heart into a years-long restoration process (which is well documented), and then kept it close to him for years after its completion, I'd say the premium is higher, maybe $2k to $3k.
e-Richie's new frames, after a long wait, go for a lot. I'd expect that the few used Sach's frames/bikes that are documented to have been owned and ridden by e-Richie himself, would outsell a new one by quite a bit - $1 to $2k. Now, if you combine the Masi pedigree with the Sachs provenance, it's not hard to see why it received bids around $6k. Like you said, paying a premium for provenance is provocative, but nothing new.
To put it another way: A relatively lucky few get to own a Sachs: but only one gets to own the early Masi GC that Sachs personally and obsessively restored over a period of several years. One could even say that there is more of Sachs himself in this Masi than in a Sachs-made frame. After all, how many of his own creations has he ever restored? (True, this is only one of two Masi's that he restored - but who knows if and when the other one will be offered for sale by e-Richie himself - keep the faith Marty.)
With regard to your early-graphics Masi, without having seen it, I would say that its highest value would be achieved in its original condition. While yours may be in beat-up condition, e-Richie's Masi was a piece of sh*t (his words). Apparently his cried out for restoration, but without photos, it's impossible to say if yours does.
To actually answer your question: If you restored your Masi, I think if your estimate of $3k would be correct. But judging on the results I've seen from your other bikes, and assuming a top-notch restoration and presentation as usual, I'd say you could realistically expect bids over $3k - depending on the color you choose (I think I'm not the only one that loves that metallic light-blue :) And who knows, if you wait long enough, one day it may be worth more just for having come from the Charles Andrews collection.
Ray Dobbins Miami Florida
chasds@mindspring.com wrote: After seeing the bidding on Richard Sach's restored Masi GC, I must confess to a bit of satisfaction. I also have one of these, with the early graphics, original, but extremely beat.
I was going to leave it original, clean up and ride. But it was always in the back of my mind to have it restored to my favorite dark metallic blue someday--a Masi color not often seen, but it was offered as a stock color.
Given my rather considerable investment in the frame, fork, and most of the original parts that came with the bike, I was thinking that having it repainted with correct graphics (something only Joe Bell has, if he still has some..) would be expensive, and thus I'd be upside down on the bike. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it's a little humiliating to end up in that situation at any time.
Still, the frame I have is a little different from Richard's. Probably a little older, as it has the flat stay-caps. The frame is stamped M57, so a good size.
So, here's my question: just for the sake of discussion, if I had this frame repainted by Joe Bell, and I had all the right parts on it (some used, not NOS as on Richard's frame), what do you all think it'd be worth?
Btw, this is NOT a price troll, and I'm not violating the rules. I have my own idea of what it's worth; I'm curious to see what everyone else thinks.
I have no special reason to sell it, and I probably won't...but I have to wonder what the *e-richie provenance premium* is. 1K? 2K? 3K? What do you think?
Seems to me the more typical market price for one of these hovers around 3000 bucks, depending on the presentation and overall condition, but perhaps I'm undervaluing them.
Interesting to think that thousands of dollars rest on qualities that have nothing to do with the bike itself, nice as it is, but on the people involved with it.. hardly an unusual thing, but certainly provocative.
Charles Andrews
SoCal