I would be proud as well. I recently found later printings of first editions of the ROTK and TTT online, and am anxiously awaiting their arrival (they will be the only first editions in my collection).

Yes, all three volumes have intact dust jackets in very good condition considering they're almost 45 years old. I bought a similar set a couple of years ago of a later printing (1970) in not as good condition and paid significantly more for it.

Sometimes the fates smile upon you. Last week I was perusing the book section at one of the local thrift stores when I came upon a set of the trilogy in hardcover. It was a first impression of the Unwin Allen second edition in very good condition. The best part is I picked it up for about 5 pounds. Has anyone else ever been lucky enough to stumble on a similar situation?

Here's an interesting ebay anecdote - I picked up a copy of TLOTR as a "buy it now" - then recieved an email from the seller telling me he had made a mistake on the price and wasn't going to honor the transaction. He refunded the money - but I'd rather have the book.

I see the following is up for sale again. Is there no responsibility on the seller to produce some indication of the authenticity of an item like this? Or does one simply state that it is "highly speculative" and then pass off any rubbish as potentially valuable?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Signed-J-R-R-Tolki ... tible&hash=item2eae82c4d3