The 'antique pencil sketch' doesn't appear to be all that 'antique', the style of drawing isn't Tolkien's, let alone typical of his early work, nor is it his signature. Isn't it amazing how much is being found when clearing houses! As for the latest non-signature, it's a less than half-hearted attempt.

Wayne and Christina

Another sketch purportedly done by Tolkien: http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-PENCIL-SK ... wings?hash=item33594593d9

It is the same seller as the last 'picture' as the text is virtually identical but a different eBay account.

Fake 1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-PENCIL-SK ... wings?hash=item33594593d9

Fake 2

http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-PENCIL-SK ... wings?hash=item45efe9d072

I'm going to report this seller as well to eBay.

This is not on Ebay but I hope it's ok to post in this thread anyway. What do people think about this signature:

http://www.elybooks.com/Details.aspx?BookNum=1478

Those pictures look distorted. Here's a better one -

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookD ... rtby%3D2%26x%3D31%26y%3D8

(sorry - didn't realize the address was so long. It might be betterto go to abe and search for Tolkien and Bayntun)

The signature looks ok to me - if it were not, it certainly isn't one of the latest batch of bad forgeries. I've seen this set beforeI think; years ago. Come to think of it, I'm not sure if Bayntuns are still going. They are(or were) a firm of high repute. Their work is first class.