Perhaps a revival of the Kolderup/Taskinar´s auction bids?
Yes; it would be just amour-propre. That is the same explanation of the Kolderup/Taskinar exaggerated bids: “Énormément riches tous les deux, ces mortels ennemis. Ce ne serait donc plus qu’une question d’amour-propre” (L´École des Robinsons, Ch. III, https://freeditorial.com/es/books/l-ecole-des-robinsons/readonline
Cheers,