Kevin,
Since you emails address is "trackstand" I'm guessing you're familiar with track bicycles. So take a look at the auction's photo of the bottom bracket area. It's obvious that - as is the case with most track bicycles that are actually put serious use - the paint in that area has been scraped off by the bicycle's chain.
That could have happened because that's where one typically rests the chain when changing sprockets and/or chainrings. It also happens when the chain gets thrown while riding. So while this bike is pretty nice - and nicely presented - it has led "a life".
Also, it's already been up for auction recently, achieving about $1600, which strikes me as "right" if not a little high. Apparently the seller expects it to be as valuable as the 1909 Honus Wagner baseball card mentioned in the listing. Admittedly, I'd rather have the bike, but not for $2.3M...
Best regards,
Fred Rednor - Arlington, Virginia (USA)
> <<.. Looks like it's been sitting in a hermetically
> sealed room the last 47 years. >>'
>
> Kevin & all:
>
> This is an interesting study in eBay auctioning and
> perception...
>
> This bike is certainly in very nice condition. However
> track bikes "live" a different life than road bikes and this
> bike is better than average but not that amazing to me at
> least...
>
> BUT it HAS been very carefully prepped polished and
> decently photographed for eBay sale. But it not an original
> bike by any means; the tape is new, the saddle a replacement
> (later era), the rims and tires also later era, newer toe
> straps.. none of these are big deals but hardly a
> "hermetically sealed" situation. That message/question is
> almost a shill.
>
> In my opinion, this bike is not far from it's market price
> right now at $1500-600. But of course that depends if
> there's someone out there looking for and really wanting a
> 23" 1960s Paramount track bike in blue....
>
> What this auction DOES point out is that it makes sense, is
> prudent, is smart to clean up, detail your eBay bike before
> selling! It simply amazes me how lazy and yes, stupid, some
> eBay sellers are to not take the time and use some elbow
> grease to prepare their items for sale in order to maximize
> the $ return. Heck, a little spit polish might even prompt
> people to think your item has been in a "hermetically sealed
> room for XX years!"