If he can sell them at those prices than that's what they were worth.
At least VA sells sets of interest, I see all kinds of common 50's consoles listed at $600 or $700 or $1000.
Look at this list, other than the Pre War I don't see any sets priced realistically until you get the the Philco 48-1000 on the second page.VA's sets are high for what they are but not insanely so.
$1850 for a Philco 48-2500?? WTF, I guess I should get the one on my back porch out of the rain then.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Television-S...&_sc=1&_sop=16