The current cycle of high prices paid on eBay for Vibroplex keys will likely peak soon, or that's my best guesstimate.
There are still a few bargains among the big-ticket keys, but they're harder to find. Here's some of the typical keys and the prices they're getting:
1. 1950 Vibroplex Original DeLuxe with carrying case. A case in good condition is always a big boost to the selling price of a key. Collectors love the cases. The key is complete with the correct parts too — another big plus. The chrome looks sharp and clear with few (if any) visible pits or rust. The winning bid was a rather hefty $182.50. That's about $70 higher that a similar could would have sold for a couple of months ago.
If you look closely, the chrome on the base isn't as shiny as it probably should be. On some bases, the chrome seems to wear thin in the middle area of the base, and on this one, I'm fairly certain I'm seeing an area where the chrome is worn and the surface is a bit on the rough side.
It reminds me of the finish on a Presentation bug base I had. On those keys they don't worry about making the flat portion of the top so smooth; after all, they put a gold-plated brass plate on top to cover nearly the entire top surface. The plating underneath the gold plate (at least on earlier Presentation models) left a lot to be desired. Perhaps they used the poorer-plated keys on Presentation models? Just a thought.
2. 1946 Vibroplex Champion, et al. One of the biggest finds I've seen on eBay was one of the best hidden. I didn't intend to let this auction pass without bidding, but such are the plans of mice and key collectors.
This was a listing that contained three keys. The first was a damaged 1946 Champion that dominated the photos near the top of the listing. The second key was a J.H. Bunnell straight key. Ho hum. The real prize in the listing was the 1920 vintage Vibroplex Double Lever key.
This key (the Double Lever) is in superb original condition, and the photo shows a key in better shape that most of the photos of original Double Lever keys in other collections. The key is missing the pivot screw at top as well as the original name plate — both “issues” I would have gladly overlooked! Mechanically, the key's parts looked complete and the plating looks nearly perfect. This was a true hidden treasure! The listing brought a winning bid of $152.50, a price I'm sure the Double Lever key would have brought on its own.
3. 1958 Vibroplex Blue Racer DeLuxe with carrying case. The auction title has the two words that mean high prices — “Blue Racer.” These aren't exceptionally rare keys, but boy howdy, are they popular among collectors. This is an excellent example of a DeLuxe model Blue Racer, probably one of the more sought-after ones too. The carrying case for Blue Racers is unique to this model 
because the base of the key is an inch narrower. A Blue Racer in the wrong case will rattle around; it takes ther correct case to properly protect a Racer — another reason why this key brought a top bid of $190.50.
4. Vibroplex Original DeLuxe, year unknown. Looking for a bargain bug? This little gem was a very good deal. if the seller had done a little better job with the listing, it would likely have brought higher bids (for example, the photo that showed up with the listing was the BOTTOM of the key).
In the photo you can see a very good condition Original DeLuxe. The chrome looks very good, the key is complete with both weights and all hardware. The only thing it could use are new red finger pieces (the ones look faded out) and the decorative red “jewel” on top of the pivot frame is missing. That's a $5 speck of plastic, but it sure makes an Original DeLuxe have that deluxe look. A must-have plastic speck in my book, hi hi.
The key sold for $90 — not a bad price for a key that will outlive most users and looks almost as good as a brand new one. If Vibroplex has one problem (other than the dwindling number of CW buffs) its the fact their products outlive their owners!
Back before Christmas however, you could pick up an Original DeLuxe in similar condition for under $70 — now that's a bargain! Of the group above, the only listing I would have pursued was the group of three. I was preoccupied chasing Mac Keys at the time, so I didn't have the funds to really be competitive anyhow. One obsession at a time, that's my motto.