A (very) sad parting, but hopefully someone will be able to use this instrument more fully than I am able. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330290918745
Barak
And a quick note - I just read Dales posted warning of a sketchy fellow who has sold high-end whistles through forum… not that I can particularly prove it, but that’s not me 
. I’ve been around the forum for a number of years, though my postings have been limited. If it helps you’re welcome to check out my personal websites:
http://www.continentaldrift.net
http://www.barakbruerd.com
And of course my ebay rating. You’re also welcome to call me - just send me a PM and I’ll reply with a phone number.
So just out of curiosity- but why sell it on e-bay and not here? That way you’d avoid the e-bay fees, and both you and the buyer could make out better- and it would more likely go to someone who would play it- seems to me that often nice things on e-bay go to “collectors”. I know that I’ve tried to find some older woodworking hand-tools as well as archery bows there and have mostly given up in disgust due to the collectors driving the prices out of sight.Just a thought…
At ebay the final the price will be much higher, I suppose.
There are lots of people there who want a copeland.
Good Question: ebay is a wider market to advertise on, and there may be whistle players that search ebay which may not be searching the forums here for sales. I hadn’t really thought about collectors per se though I see your point. Instrument may be a different thing though: instruments are generally of high value because players value them so highly (i.e. playability and quality). Collectors only react to the value players have placed on them.
Peace,
Barak
I think the profitability of Barak’s approach is proving itself. With 1 hr and 33 minutes to go, the price is just under $1,000. There is, of course, the risk of a nonpaying buyer to contend with.
Holy Cow! A dumb question here I’m sure, but what were these usually selling for if new(guess they’re not being made now)??
wow maybe i should sell my copeland high D-------------
Now I really wish I’d snapped up that Copeland silver low D Jessie sold for $700. If I’d been half an hour earlier… That will always be “the one that got away.”
At least until my MK arrives!
$1108.88 winning bid 
You take a chance on ebay but sometimes it pays off
Actually, ebay isn’t too much of a “chance”. In terms of advertising, not every whistle player is on the forums . By posting to ebay and putting a link here you ensure that the sale is more widely known. True, you also risk selling to collectors versus “true” players as was pointed out, but I don’t entirely begrudge collectors their hobby. My array of Irish instruments far exceeds my actual skill level as a player and I fully admit my weakness for bright shiny metal objects 
I bet the same could be said for many others as well.
Ebay these days actually poses a fairly safe sale. You can set a reserve price or simply list an item at your minimum price. Knowing that my Copeland would sell high I didn’t bother with either. In addition, as the seller, standard practice is that you hold the item until you receive payment from the buyer. This actually places more risk on the buyer. Fortunately, Paypal.com, through which most transactions take place, now has standard insurance policies for all ebay purchases since paypal was acquired by ebay sometime ago.
Anyway, thanks to all who bid. I’m sure I’ll be using the money to acquired other instruments, much to my wife’s chagrin. I’ve been talking to Collin Goldie about an Overton… did I mention they were shiny? 
When I bought mine in 2002 they were around $375. Last number I remember was about $450. I imagine the high selling price these days is that Michael Copeland had a significant backlog of buyers when he closed down shop in 2006. Having not opened his doors in two years, and with great mystery surrounding any future public sales (for indeed he is still making whistles privately if the rumor mill is correct, which it seems to be), there are a lot of people willing to invest significant coin to obtain one of his famous instruments.
I was actually looking into exchanging mine about two years ago for a Sterling silver version (back to that whole shiny thing) which his when I discovered he’d closed shop. Too bad I missed Jessie’s silver sale as well I may hang tight for now. Anyway, the closing of Copeland Woodwinds brings profound sadness. His instruments do indeed have a unique place in the Irish community.
~b