Al,
I think it'll go for more than $50,000 as well. I wouldn't be surprised if the commission grows to $20,000(!) The majolica market is driven by wealthy American majolica collectors. It only takes 2 billionaires to decide they both want it, and it's all on.
"... They ne'er cared for us
yet: suffer us to famish, and their store-houses
crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to
support usurers; repeal daily any wholesome act
established against the rich, and provide more
piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain
the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will; and
there's all the love they bear us."
-- Shakespeare: Coriolanus, Act 1, scene 1
