Trotter wrote:

A huge mark up of over $300,000 since the start of the year.

That is crazy Anyone spending that sort of money surely researches these things and would pull out of any potential purchase thinking it wildly overpriced?

onthetrail wrote:

Trotter wrote:

A huge mark up of over $300,000 since the start of the year.

That is crazy Anyone spending that sort of money surely researches these things and would pull out of any potential purchase thinking it wildly overpriced?

You'd think, but it'll sell. Maybe not for that asking price, but it'll sell for something close I suspect.

What exactly makes it a presentation copy? Are there any differences to the "normal" 1st edition 1st impression?

They are copies that Tolkien received from the publisher, which he signed and dedicated when the book first came out.

He kept a list of these and they are published in The History of the Hobbit (One volume edition) by John Rateliff in Appendix V - Author's Copies List. John describes all the recipients of these editions in the book.

It is speculative pricing, kind of the same as Dogfark does with his Hobbits. He just hopes an idiot with more money than brains will come along, and I guess occasionally they do. And the kind of people at the 0.5M price point just don't care. I'm surprised they haven't opted to pair it with a jacket from another copy, though - at that price.

I suspect this won't sell at anything close to the asking price. But it will make a profit.

Stu wrote:

I'm surprised they haven't opted to pair it with a jacket from another copy, though - at that price.

I am as well though it is obvious when copies have not had jackets due to the condition of the binding, my copy without a jacket looks like this one.

I assume that the dealer is expecting a buyer to come in with a much lower price than the asking price, but strangely some people don't and I think this is why they price it so high, in case someone just pays the asking price. They don't expect to get that.

Perfect spine!!

Mr. Underhill wrote:

1957 Lord of Rings Tolkien 7th 5th 4th imp. a fifties set in real dust jackets

134168312176

Seller: themodernantiquarian

(1829)

Ended Aug 27, 2022

This item ended more than 90 days ago

1957 The Hobbit Tolkien Lord of Rings 9th imp. in real dust jacket, UK post only

134168286576

Seller: themodernantiquarian

(1818)

Ended Jul 24, 2022

This item ended more than 90 days ago

Worth noting that the 57 has a partially laminated jacket. Which is a pity, otherwise it would be a handy 10th jacket.

And I've got a 10th in a 9th jacket. Very interested until I saw the lamination.