I agree, but I would guess the other person just sent an "is it available? i have cash" type of email. These folks were living in the very first house built in Stinson Beach California (just north of the Golden Gate Bridge) The machine was ordered and delivered three years after the house was built in 1870.
The house was more amazing than the machine. They had a pre-civil war swan neck rocker in their living room, hand planed and beaded wainscoting, a 15' tall stone fireplace, photos of the house from the 19th century, and more antiques than I could count... They were not concerned about the $$. They listed it at that price to keep "vultures" (their words) away.
He gave me directions to the house by saying go on highway 1 north until you see this, and sent me a painting that was done of the house and property a long time ago.. My DD and I had a great time. She is an amateur photographer and it was harder to get her out of the house than me...