Mike,
The "problem" (which really isn't a problem) with transition badge drums is that they are more difficult to match to other drums...due to the fact that the transition badge is rarer (maybe the rarest of all?) Ludwig badges.
RE The Galaxy finishes: I am only aware of the multi-colored Galaxy finish (like the one in your recent picture). I never knew there was an earlier version that you describe (like on the drum with the trans badge). If that is the case, then it may be exceedingly rare....but, again, also difficult to match in a kit.
Some collectors collect specific colors...Other collectors collect specific models of drums....Still other collectors collect made in specific years...Others collect based upon the badge styles. In other words, collecting is specifically un-specific Burger Kin
I think $500 was probably a good price to pay for a really nice Galaxy Jazzfest in all-original condition with no fade, etc. I think it will increase in value over time...or, like I say...until you find two or more people who want it badly enough to go to a bidding war over it...in which case, the sky could become the limit.
I have seen more common drums with rare finishes sell for less $$$ than some other rare drums with more common finishes in some cases....because, for example, if there is a collector who has a complete Super Classic kit in blue sparkle (common sparkle finish) with a matching blue sparkle Jazzfest, and then he comes across an auction for a blue sparkle Downbeat snare drum or an 18 floor tom that will match the rest of his blue sparkle drums, then, even though blue sparkle is a common finish, it is easier to match, complete and/or expand a more common configuration.
Or, an even better example is when a collector has a blue sparkle 12/14/20 "Downbeat" kit and then all of a sudden one day a blue sparkel 12 x 18 bass drum turns up for sale on Ebay. Well, right away, if he buys that little bass drum, he can effectively create two kits out of one. What I mean is, with the 20 bass drum, he has a "Downbeat" configuration, but if he changes out the 18 bass drum in place of the 20, then he has a "Jazzette" configuration -because of the fact that the 12 and the 14 toms are common to both configurations.
Conversely, I have seen burgundy sparkle (rare sparkle finish) 14 X 14 floor toms that don't sell for that much more than other finishes in the same size -because there are far less people out there who have the rest of the kit to match them.
It would be lovely to have a fully-matched 12/14/20 and matching Jazzfest in Galaxy finish! Kiss