Improv wrote in Interesting Items Currently on eBay:
There is a certain logic that a large upfront bid will scare off smaller bidders.  Seen it used at housing auctions.  Most of the time just drives up the price, benefiting the seller.

dbartman wrote in Interesting Items Currently on eBay:I believe the highest recorded auction price for a D&D item was for a 1st Printing woodie that sold for $22,100.

There was another 1st printing woodie that sold for $20,100.

The next highest sale price was for a Jade Hare w/ cover for $18,600.

This one-of-a-kind manuscript will likely exceed these prices.  It should be unique.  The only one that exists.

stratochamp wrote in Interesting Items Currently on eBay:Full disclosure though, it appears to be a photocopy of the original manuscript.

Mordenkainen wrote in Interesting Items Currently on eBay:
You're right, this has a wavy print pattern on each page.

The quality of the copy looks to be period appropriate (bad), and there are a few plausible explanations as to why Jim Ward would have a copy of the manuscript and not the original manuscript, but in my view the listing should be up front about offering an explanation.

stratochamp wrote in Interesting Items Currently on eBay:...Full disclosure though, it appears to be a photocopy of the original manuscript.

Sir Kill Alot wrote in Interesting Items Currently on eBay:There are 258 people watching the auction.  I don't believe I have ever seen that before...

-SKA