Tweezer Chess

The most expensive auctions in this week's edition of Top eBay Chess Items by Price were all chess sets, most of which didn't sell. I even saw a few unsuccessful auctions listed twice, where the second listing had a higher 'Buy It Now' price than the first. What's the logic behind that?

The item pictured below, which is also a chess set, was far from the most expensive item sold, but it was by far the most unusual. It was titled 'Miniature Artist Signed CHESS SET Geoffrey Wonnocott', received 20 bids from seven bidders, and sold for US $520.22.

The description said,

Spectacular artisan dollhouse miniature. This is a chess set on pedestal table engraved on bottom G.P. Wonnocott England 1996. If you are familiar with this name, you know this is a rare piece, an authentic miniature by the famous miniature cabinetmaker Geoffrey Wonnocott. You won't find another piece by him anywhere on eBay. If you search the internet for his name you will find some wonderful information about him.

The drawer on this table opens, the top has beautiful inlay design and all the little pieces are there, including 3 extra pawns, it appears. The chess pieces have been secured in place, but a few have come loose. It will be wrapped carefully for shipment with all the little pieces included. Wonderful clawfoot gold gilded design. Table itself measures about 2 1/2" tall. No damage. Wow!

Besides this auction, I didn't find much on the web for 'Geoffrey Wonnocott'. When Google questioned me with 'Did you mean: Geoffrey Wonnacott', I found his personal page at GEOFFREY P WONNACOTT, Miniature Cabinet & Furniture. The page shows a few more chess sets, although none of them are listed with a price.