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9 Jan, 2012
2012-1-9 9:01:17 PM UTC
Well, the HoME-style UT went for 156 pounds in the end, which is fairly steep IMHO. Having said that, if you want a full set of all the books in these covers, this is certainly the rarest by a *long* way. Peoples of Middle-Earth is two-a-penny these days and it sells for a similar price.

That said, one might sell next week for twenty pounds - who knows!?

Stu
9 Jan, 2012
2012-1-9 10:09:46 PM UTC
Seriously. What an unutterable pile of stinking piddle. £156!? Some people have far, far too much money & absolutely no brains --either that, or they have serious issues with self control: Gotta keep bidding!!! --even though I know we passed the "what it's actually worth" value about a week ago... Mental. Totally mental.

To put in context, as Stu states --you can pick up a copy of PoME for this price. (I just bought a LotRs, 1 volume, 1969 Deluxe India Paper Edition for £149!)

Well, it's their money I suppose.

BH
9 Jan, 2012
2012-1-9 10:20:36 PM UTC

Khamul wrote:
Seriously. What an unutterable pile of stinking piddle. £156!? Some people have far, far too much money & absolutely no brains --either that, or they have serious issues with self control: Gotta keep bidding!!! --even though I know we passed the "what it's actually worth" value about a week ago... Mental. Totally mental.

To put in context, as Stu states --you can pick up a copy of PoME for this price. (I just bought a LotRs, 1 volume, 1969 Deluxe India Paper Edition for £149!)

Well, it's their money I suppose.

BH

But I would argue that "Peoples" doesn't really make any sense for that price, either. It is expensive because someone decided to claim it was rare a few years back, even though it isn't rare at all. It is hard to rationalise the prices, because buying a book for 150 pounds simply isn't rational in any way, be it a relatively rate UT or PoME. I think, generally speaking, prices seem to be moderating a lot, and that can only be a good thing.

Still, if I got another chance to pick up a second copy of this sub 50 pounds, I definitely would (as I have two sets of HoME -- and it would be nice to complete the "B" set which I have on display).

Except for "my book buying days being over", of course (Doh!)

Stu
9 Jan, 2012
2012-1-9 10:26:29 PM UTC
Agreed. The price for PoME makes little sense, at the higher range. At least prices are on the drop (--for those who don't have a copy.) Minus £50 would be £106 (ain't my maths good?) --I don't think I'd waste £106 on this either. Now £56, maybe.

Two sets!? You is a crazy man!

BH
9 Jan, 2012
2012-1-9 10:40:08 PM UTC
Well just a different opinion from my perspective (since everyone seems to be in agreement that the price is too high).

Personally, I tend to buy/bid more on books primarily based on rarity. And since this particular edition of Unifinished Tales is probably one of the rarest of the modern Tolkien Editions, the final price is no surprise to me and I don't see the price as particularily high when compared to what other more common editions sell for.

If you only have an average of one copy a year come up for sale (and a multitude of Tolkien Collectors worldwide) why is £156 so surprising. And this is just one Ebay Auction which a limited number of collectors came across. I can imagine some collectors paying a lot more if a copy were listed on one of non-auction books sites (ABE, Amazon, Alibris etc). It may take a while to sell at a higher price, but it would sell.

Anyway my 2 cents - and just to add a different opinion. Too much harmony on this thread!!
9 Jan, 2012
2012-1-9 10:46:34 PM UTC

Khamul wrote:
Agreed. The price for PoME makes little sense, at the higher range. At least prices are on the drop (--for those who don't have a copy.) Minus £50 would be £106 (ain't my maths good?) --I don't think I'd waste £106 on this either. Now £56, maybe.

Two sets!? You is a crazy man!

BH

When I said "sub-50", I actually meant less than 50 as the total price, not 50 less than this auction price. I'd might push to 56, though :)

A bit crazy, yes. Although I only have two HoME sets because I had 10of the 12 1sts by collecting them when they came out. The other set I slowly picked up over a few years. Not quite sure why I did, but it means I can keep my (essentially perfect) "A" set nicely humidity controlled and in darkness for when I am old and crusty :)
9 Jan, 2012
2012-1-9 10:49:44 PM UTC
Yeh, you keep making excuses!

BH
9 Jan, 2012
2012-1-9 11:42:19 PM UTC
I agree with Remy. It doesn't come as any surprise this book went for the value it did and I wouldn't have been suprised if it went for £300. Remember in an auction someone else was bidding £155 so that makes at least two people who wanted this book and as Remy says that is just on one auction on eBay for 9 days.
I paid £100 for my 1969 Lotr - does that make £149 expensive ? No of course not because khamul was happy to pay that amount at the time although others would say (maybe non Tolkien collectors) that even £100 is crazy.
I do believe that the Market will determine the value at any one given time which us what has happened here.
Personally I don't think we will see another copy for some time ago and if we do it will go for more. Time will tell I guess but if any of you guys want to sell your copy for £56 or £106 please let me know.
9 Jan, 2012
2012-1-9 11:57:40 PM UTC

Personally I don't think we will see another copy for some time ago and if we do it will go for more. Time will tell I guess but if any of you guys want to sell your copy for £56 or £106 please let me know.

To be honest, I wouldn't sell my copy even for £300. The only reason that I wouldn't pay "big-ish bucks" for a copy these days is because I already have one and it would be impossible to find a better copy than I already have.

Like I say, I don't really think *any* book prices really make rational sense. One just has to decide how much one wants something and pay or not pay accordingly. No one is forcing any one to hand over any money. Personally I looked for this book for years and would have paid significantly more than I did in order to secure that first copy. I just got lucky, I think.

Stu
10 Jan, 2012
2012-1-10 12:07:19 AM UTC
Agree stu and think u did get lucky, maybe the same as I did with my 69 Lotr. People will pay what they see as fit and it is relative to the supply and demand factors and most importantly the desire of the individual.

What is most upsetting is that you will not sell yours! Good for you I say.
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