The lack of known copies of Sir Orfeo may be due in part to the fact that Tolkien's name does not appear in it, so very few people would know what they were looking at.

I think that the other reason the Sir Orfeo tends to get over looked is because it is an edited text rather than an original composition.

I only know of one copy offered for sale and that was quite some time ago.

BTW
My article at TolkienBooks.net on Songs for the Philologists was updated recently - it now has a complete listing of the contents, a couple of new images and few extra snippets of information supplied by the lucky owner of one copy.

Indeed, I must agree wholeheartedly, Jeremy was a wonderful addition to the dealers room at MC 38 and hopefully he and his hobbits can make it east next year, I particulary love to continuously clean him out of his Native American books and material

Anthony

I am aware that Songs for the Philologists is considered to be the scarcest but Hammond states that only 5 copies of Sir Orfeo have been located and I have never seen a copy anywhere for sale whereas I have seen several copies of Songs up for sale. Any responses would be appreciated.

It was wonderful to get to meet the man behind the Rowns! Jeremy had a great display with some choice items, and many commented on the interesting assortment of books (Tolkien and other fantasy literature--Mythopoeic Award winners, etc.) as well as fanzines he brought.

There were several other dealers there, so it was an excellent book-buying experience. I didn't even hit Moe's, the big Berkeley used/rare book emporium, this trip!

Thanks for coming, Jeremy. Next year the Mythopoeic Society conference (Mythcon 39) will be at Central Connecticut State University August 15-18, with Anthony Burdge, one of our posters here, as one of the main organizers. Eastern US members and dealers should definitely consider coming out.

I'm pretty sure they don't, but I will double-check and let you know if any do.

I'll also check through the ones I'm keeping, and see what I've got in there - but that will take a little longer!!!