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BBC Antiques Roadshow 29th April 2018

29 Apr, 2018 (edited)
2018-4-29 9:09:46 AM UTC

If you are in the UK, a rare book signed by J.R.R. Tolkien is on tonight's show.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b1zwky

Fiona Bruce presents from Floors Castle in south east Scotland, home of the Duke of Roxburghe. On a day of sunshine and showers, the nation's favourite group of experts turns up some real treasures, from a highly collectable watch to a rare book signed by JRR Tolkien.

Fiona tells the story of this beautiful 18th-century building, which overlooks the River Tweed and the Cheviot Hills. She finds out that the many treasures to be found within are there thanks to the spending power of an American heiress who brought her collection of fine art, porcelain and furniture to the castle when she married into the family.

Treasures are in plentiful supply outside the castle too - some Murano glass catches the eye of Judith Miller, what seems a motley collection of jewellery turns out to be worth a small fortune, and the valuation of a Chinese lantern used for family celebrations means it will be treated with kid gloves from now on.


1972 UK hardback Hobbit, signed by Tolkien in 1973 to a Mrs Cox, the expert is not very good on Tolkien and thinks the signature may be a fake, but then overvalues the book at UK £6,000 to £7,000.

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8 May, 2018
2018-5-8 6:02:47 PM UTC
Interesting that the young man cites Prof. Angus McIntosh who indeed was connected to Tolkien, Tolkien stayed with him in July 1973 during his visit to Edinburgh as referenced on p.813 of W&C's Chronology (2017).
8 May, 2018
2018-5-8 7:52:37 PM UTC
Which means this was signed during the same trip in conjunction with which Tolkien inscribed my own signed copy of The Lord of the Rings; see this post/thread
8 May, 2018
2018-5-8 8:23:37 PM UTC
Yep it is the same visit.

Nice that you have the Torrance letter too.
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