What's Up with ammunition at antique shows?

[PistolNewbie]

I attended several antique shows over the last few weekends and I have seen 22L ammo in newer boxes covered in shrink plastic that are priced in the $8 to $12 range and above as well as old shotgun shells, etc. None of it appeared to be that old. I had a friend that sold 3 old boxes of old ammo on Ebay for almost $700 a few weeks ago and the boxes weren't in that great of condition. I believe they were also a 22 caliber but can't remember the brands. Holy sh*t! Obviously there is a lot of interest and I need to be enlightened as to what is going on.

 

[SDC]

People collect ammunition and cartridges and cartridge boxes just like they collect anything else; if a particular box or headstamp or loading is especially rare, then the price will go up quick.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

Mostly the stuff not sold by 'gunnies' at antique shows is stuff that was in a box at an estate sale. I see ammo at gun shows from similar origins that can be vastly exagerated in price.