Posted By:
Aaron M.Chris, we here on the vintage memorabilia board tend to be more gentile than on the card board, but I will be blunt as to your last question: Don't be stupid.
Why would he tell you that "two auction houses were interested in it"? Because that makes it appear to suckers that (1) the item is legitimate, and (2) there is interest in the item so as to snatch it away from you during this very brief time that it is still available. Right.
This hobby is quite easy to navigate for those who are willing to accept the adage that if it's too good to be true it probably isn't. (Why do you think he is willing to sell it to you for less than you think it's worth?)
Don't be a sucker.
Oh, and did you ask him to forward the "e-mail confirmations" from the auction houses to you? If he sends them, call the people at the auction houses he was corresponding with and ask them about the item (you want to make sure he didn't send you bogus e-mails). If he refuses to send them, then you have your answer.