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Signed bookplates - authenticity
Jun 9, 2020
2020/6/9 16:12:34 (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time, London, Dublin, Lisbon, Casablanca, Monrovia
2020/6/9 16:12:34 (GMT) Greenwich Mean Time, London, Dublin, Lisbon, Casablanca, Monrovia
Hello everybody,
I recently saw a copy a book which featured a bookplate signed by Chistopher Tolkien. I asked the seller a proof of authenticity, he told me he has a letter that can't show cause it contains private information.
Since I am relatively new to collecting Tolkien items, I just wanted to post here to get some thoughts from you. What would you do in this case? Also, is a book with a signature applied via bookplate valuable as one which was directly signed?
Thanks in advance.
Cheers,
Max
I recently saw a copy a book which featured a bookplate signed by Chistopher Tolkien. I asked the seller a proof of authenticity, he told me he has a letter that can't show cause it contains private information.
Since I am relatively new to collecting Tolkien items, I just wanted to post here to get some thoughts from you. What would you do in this case? Also, is a book with a signature applied via bookplate valuable as one which was directly signed?
Thanks in advance.
Cheers,
Max
Maybe others will correct me but if I were selling a signed book and had a letter proving its authenticity, I would also include that proof at least to support the sale and state that the letter in not included. It is easy to take a photo and black out any private information. Seems an odd reply to me.
Max wrote:
Hello everybody,
I recently saw a copy a book which featured a bookplate signed by Chistopher Tolkien. I asked the seller a proof of authenticity, he told me he has a letter that can't show cause it contains private information.
Since I am relatively new to collecting Tolkien items, I just wanted to post here to get some thoughts from you. What would you do in this case? Also, is a book with a signature applied via bookplate valuable as one which was directly signed?
Thanks in advance.
Cheers,
Max
These books are valued with a book-plate signed by Christopher.
1 - UK First edition Silmarillion hardback
2 - UK/US First edition Trade Children of Hurin hardback
3 - UK/US First edition Deluxe Children of Hurin hardback.
Am a missing any other book-plate signed editions?
Please note that book-plate forgeries do exist for the Children of Hurin.
The guy had some bookplates signed by Christopher and applied it on a deluxe edition of Beren and Luthien.
Point is, I've no proof Christopher signed those bookplates for him, so I think I'll pass.
Cheers,
Max
Point is, I've no proof Christopher signed those bookplates for him, so I think I'll pass.
Cheers,
Max
Khamûl wrote:
mustycats, right? ;)
Yep, I think he's a nice guy (by the few messages exchanged), however I think I should have some proof. Maybe I am just wrong though.
The story behind these plates (plural) is so convoluted that it must be true to be honest. I'm 99% sure they are signed by CT. Problem is, nobody else is ever going to believe you! :D
Many thanks everybody for your suggestions, I decided it was better for me to "invest" money in a 1969 deluxe edition of LOTR and went with that one. :)
Personally, I never have nor never will trust signed items on any marketplace. You just don't know. Safest bet is to have your book signed in person, before your eyes; or a retailer that sells signed copies (ie: Waterstones, Blackwell's etc for the recent Beren and Luthien, The Fall of Gondolin, and The Hobbit Sketchbook. There will almost certainly be triple-signed copies of Unfinished Tales 40th anniversary illustrated edition up for grabs.)