Having spent more time around auctions then I care to admit I can tell you the following:
Setting estimates on the low side is a strategy used by many auction houses. This is done to convince potential bidders that the auction company does not know what items are worth and encourage a lot of active bidding. This is often an effective strategy for the auction house but,in this day and age,items usually sell at right around their true value.
Jim

The 2nd Amendment IS an unalienable right.