So, today I received a set of GAU The Lord of the Rings, 1968, 2nd ed./3rd impr. (bought them for a good price, £20 GPB).

There is a tendency to a growth of mildew, which I gather from the "old books" odor and some tiny, brown stains sprinkled across the fore-edge. However, the books are in a quite good condition, with unfaded dustjackets, so I believe it might still be worth trying to salvage them.

The books are dry, so I'm thinking of applying hydrogen peroxide in order to eliminate the mildew.

Does anyone have a suggestion for how to remove the odor? I've read about various methods involving treatment with baking soda (put books in a bag with the baking soda, or sprinkle baking soda on pages).

Thanks for spotting and recommending this, Khamul! I love ephemera ;)

Has anyone cared to write to the Child's World, or Peterson Publishing Company, to ask how many copies were printed (or perhaps rather sold) of this Oliphaunt edition?

Apparently, "earliest known signature of Tolkien to have been offered for sale":

http://www.benl.ebay.be/itm/ws/eBayIS ... iewItem&item=110928410792

Thanks to Ardamir for letting me know about this!

I think you can feel safe about having a very low start price for bidders. Pre-1970s (not to say pre-1980s!) copies of George Allen & Unwin The Hobbit hardbacks appear to be very much in demand right now, and your copy will likely reach a good selling price, even if it's missing the dustjacket.

I bought a similar copy of what you have, and payed around £20 GPB ca half a year ago (I really must start noting price/date of all my purchases, like the veterans around here!). I would suspect you could get a somewhat higher price right now.

Let us know if you put it on eBay, since it would be interesting to see the result!