Well my knowledge is a bit blank on about how rare a red wrapper is. I thought on one hand that they were somewhat scarce, but on the other hand I was the only bidder at 9.99.
I am not an expert on scarcity and prices when it comes to WP, and I am sure there are others here who are far more qualified to offer insights into such matters.
One doesn't happen across 1st Series wrappers everyday, however. And sometimes this happens with Matt Stock's auctions: you just get lucky. Although there are some collectors who avidly monitor his auctions, I'm sure there must be others who, for a host of different reasons, don't follow them 24/7 (commitments to family, commitments to work, lack of funds, taking a hiatus from Wackys, etc., etc..) More often than not, I don't win Matt's auctions. However, there has been the rare occasion when I opened up my computer to find myself pleasantly surprised.
To me, there are multiple sides of collecting: collecting as an investment, collecting rarities, and collecting simply because you enjoy particular pieces. I suppose I fall into all three categories to some extent or another, however it is the last category that pertains to me the most. IMO, it doesn't matter if a title I purchase is valuable or rare, so long as I appreciate and enjoy it. If you enjoy your wrapper, then that is what matters the most. Place it proudly in your collection. And if it is also valuable and/or rare, then more power to you! Count yourself blessed!
And remember, never give up hope, and heed the ancient proverb:
"Into Matt Stock's auctions, a ray of sunshine must occasionally fall."
