Hi all, first thanks to John for his kind words.
I have once become unfaithful to my principle of not touching ebay because a friend of mine secured the Ellis Briggs and I was able to persuade him that I really liked it. The price of 544 GBP inc shipping to my mind is not a real bargain while I´m aware that some of the parts are valuable. Also the GBP has lost about a third in value compared to the Euro in the last year or so, which helps.
I wouldn´t call this bike the buy of a lifetime while it certainly has potential. The frame has been restored and as such is less desirable than an original, but at least it was done by a reputable painter. I happen to have nearly all the missing/wrong bits in my box, purely coincidentally, and I am in close contact with the seller (who is extremely friendly, patient and helpful) with regards to packing the jewel.
Once the bike has arrived here I hope to get it done quickly and to upload some pics onto my wooly account asap.
One question remains: The first owner seems to have lived in Altrincham near Manchester. Why did he go all the way to Shipley to get his bike when there was someone like Johnny Berry round the corner? Oh well, unresolved mysteries is what we thrive on, I guess.
Let me add that this transaction wouldn´t have been possible without this list - first it was a member who pointed my collector friend and me towards the auction after my CR post in which I said that I was looking for an Ellis Briggs, then it was John Crump who described it in the most glowing terms and shared tidbits from his personal experience which made me realize that the bike is special.
Regards, Toni Theilmeier, Belm, Germany.