Not a lot of BLDC fan offerings in the 80's. At the time, it was such a cute tiny fan I hadn't seen anywhere else for sale. I would say that was the main driver in the high price. I got one, used it for cooling a HeNe laser, still have it.
Although, do not forget Radio Shack's business model going back to the 1970's - import electronics from (then developing) Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and markup the price, resell for huge profit.
Today, it is still a core business model to outsource, import, markup the price and sit back on your laurels enjoying the profits and your nation's decline.