Seems like about this time every year a copy or few of "the book" show up on ebay. It's just people cashing in on an investment. You can call it greedy if you like, but really this is a prime case of supply and demand setting price. When the first edition was sold out and the final decision was made that there wouldn't be anymore printed, the secondary market price went crazy. There are some people in this hobby who have deep pockets and a passion for their hobby. Money is no object at times, yes, even in this economy.
When the second edition was released, it was made known from the beginning that there would only be a certain number published/printed. Of that, there was a special limited release of 150 numbered units that included a foil sticker on the cover and additional novelty copies of historical company information. Because of the reaction of the market price when the first edition went out of print, many people snatched up several copies of the second edition as an investment, planning to sit on them, and resell them slowly and make money. Nothing wrong with that, many of us do it every day with tractors and parts.... this "part" just happens to be a book.
Please refrain from any negative commentary on this subject. You just never know who is on the other end of that transaction. It may just be someone who's a member here. (and no.... it's not me. )