I wish I could afford one. Sante did gift me a meer last Christmas, but he never smoked it. That pipe I treasure.
I think some of them will be affordable but I hope I don't have to spend what I'm willing to spend to get the one I really want. I know the carver, I know where the purchase was made, and I'm fairly sure I know the value of the pipe new but sometimes people on ebay go overboard and bid more than new prices.
That being said, seeing an opening bid for an S. Bang is just nuts!