Here's a "signed" Return of the King for $10! This is a ex-library copy! The seller says that he found the signature hidden on the inner cover. I messaged the seller that the signature was not even a good fake, but he brushed me off "thanking" me for my opinion. eBay has not taken any action. I sent them two complaints: one about forgery, the other about disclaimers. (You cannot list on eBay and then say you don't know if the item is authentic or not.) I hope people don't fall for this.

Someone's bid on it, unfortunately. At least it is an open auction so they can be updated.

The seller couldn't even accurately mention where the "signature" is - it is clearly nowhere near on the inner cover.

Whomever did the fake signature at least did enough research to get the date in the realm of possibility, but I can't imagine when the Professor took a trip to a US library to sign a book.

Has anyone else noticed this one on ebay;

Children of Hurin

The letter is especially interesting. Cant imagine Christopher writing a letter like that.

Dior

Just saw this myself. Not exactly a scholar's vocabulary, eh? :o)

8 bids at this point. At least it's not even up to the value of the book!

I blogged about this, but I just heard from Carl Hostetter, and the signature and letters are, in fact, authentic. I'm as surprised as anybody! Take a look at my post and the comments for more info. Just shows you never know. At least Carl was nice about it, when he had every right to complain loudly about my opening up my big yap. ;)

Jason
Lingwë - Musings of a Fish