[If anyone notices this new jacketed version could they post news of it in this thread?]



BH

This is a great thread idea! We should save this 'bin' for all the nonsense that eBay throws up. Here are a couple of other seriously confusing auctions...

The Adventures of Tom Bombadil 1962 2nd imp. 'Good'

The Silmarillion 'Probably the best copy we have seen'

Saga of King Heidrek the Wise

LotRs One Volume Hb 'Possible this is the 9th Impression 1971'

In fact, I'm going to have to have a look at some of these again. Perhaps they are signed copies or something...

BH

Aye! I saw the old Antiques Road Show too! What a show! (Should I admit to watching it 'live' at the time tho'?...)

The story was good, but is £2000 not a little undervalued? I know auction house prices can be far more 'realistic' in pricing than eBay; but a copy with a fairly tatty jacket (not with quite so much loss as her copy) just went on eBay for $11,300.

The Hobbit 1st Edition/1st Imp w/DJ *Stunning Rarity*

A while back that would have been ~ £6000 (currently eBay quoting ~£7800); but we don't know whether buyer was US or UK based or not. Either way, that jacket doesn't look much better. The book may not have the inscription (which may also devalue the copy), but in some respects the copy is not that superior.

Then again, I haven't really paid that much attention to the top end of the Tolkien market in recent years; so mabey £2K -£3K is about right...

BH

If I hadn't seen in it on Deagol's site way back, I certainly would not have known about it...
-Stu

He really does have a lot to answer for...

BH

Thank you Trotter & Deagol!

I was just a little apprehensive having not seen the bookplate in the flesh. When you look at my (wide) photograph, the helm looks very strikingly black; but that's not what it actually looks like to the eye (the digital camera does not truly capture the image that accurately.) You have put my mind at rest tho'; and, Deagol, I eventually got that UK standard hardback I was holding out for!

In respect to AL signature as well, I just didn't mention it; wanting to concentrate on the bookplate detail. AL has signed it in his customary manner (with 17-4-2007 date) on the title page.

Trotter, you seem to imply that AL signed (or at least went out of his way) to sign all bookplated copies; is this right? I take it you mean that everybody chose to get AL to sign, rather than the event conditions making it (almost) mandatory for him to do so? It beggars the question of why they did not just get AL to pre-sign the UK (destined) bookplates as well (like the US bookplates.) Yes, its nice to see him sign in person; but in the event he could not attend, they'd be left with no AL signature at all.

Did (Trotter) many people just get bookplated copies, with no AL signature? To be honest I didn't want a copy with Bernard Hill's signature; since he has nothing what so ever to do with the book. Would have loved (any) copy with Adam Tolkien's signature as well. I heard (a listing implied he only signed two copies) he signed very few copies at the event. Did you not consider asking? And of course David Brawn was also in attendance...

Cheers!

BH