GG--
        I agree pretty much with Tim Rutherford when he concludes:
(hack, chop)
>Price? Yeah, guidebooks are fine, but the real price lies in the heart of
>the buyer -- what you're truly willing to pay for the elusive cooper's
>croze or minty #55 -- regardless of "the guide" and regardless of it's
>completeness. Is it to be a wall-hanger or a user? When will the next
>chance come by?

        But I'm sorta surprised that not many msgs in this intresting
thread have set "worth" or *worth* off in a way that implies the relative
and subjective nature of the very concept.  I think the Patternmaker's
Widow is a special case.  In the everyday world of buying and selling,
whether it's replacement parts for Ford 9N tractors (another sideline of
mine), or Rembrandt originals, or rusty metal, one way to look at is, if
both buyer and seller walk away satisfied, then "worth" has been
determined--and it is probably different for the two parties, or else no
transaction would have taken place.
        Beyond the specific thread, this issue relates to the recurring
queries that appear on this list in the following vein:  "I picked up this
#** thingamajig at a yard sale the other day.  So what's it worth?"  Others
report what "the book" says, or what they know of comparative sales prices
for something similar in other circumstances, and you can gloat to SWMBO
when an esteemed Galoot proclaims that the #** is *worth* a lot more than
you paid.  But I think that's mostly mind games your playing with yourself.
What really matters is what it's worth to you--guide, SWMBO, or no.
        My $.02. . . . .WORTH
                Tom,
who wishes he had a Mac 9500 to play on, and get paid for it.