Fran,
I had a top of the line, A #1, King of the hill, Top of the heap Selmer Mark VI Tenor Sax that I paid $695 brand spanking new with money from playing music for Sock Hops in High School and using my uncle's draft card to play music at the Joy Lounge for Pasquale Marcello, running the Lounge for his brother Carlos Marcello ( the South Eastern God Father) while driving a $350 1953 Plymouth Station Wagon painted red and white like a ice cream wagon.
This sax in good shape today sells for $12,000 and up on eBay. It was stolen out of a club in 1963-64 or somewhere about.
Check out this video about Carlos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Gdgwpci-ZI