Forged Signature

Trotter wrote:

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/2 ... -and-back-again-irvine-ca

This book is a 4th printing and according to tolkienbooks.us, the 4th Printing was in July, 1975 (https://www.tolkienbooks.us/hob/us/hc/the-hobbit-1973)

Tolkien can't have signed this book.

Even if he hadn't been dead when the book was printed, that "k" is not good.

I have contacted the auction house.

Mr. Underhill wrote:

I have contacted the auction house.

For some reason, I just imagined John Cleese in the Parrot Sketch irately saying "He can't have signed it, because he IS DEAD! He had gone to meet his maker. Bereft of life, he rests in peace. THIS IS AN EX-AUTHOR!"

Trotter wrote:

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/2 ... -and-back-again-irvine-ca

This book is a 4th printing and according to tolkienbooks.us, the 4th Printing was in July, 1975 (https://www.tolkienbooks.us/hob/us/hc/the-hobbit-1973)

Tolkien can't have signed this book.

Nice catch.

"Provenance and Authentication:
This collectible has undergone a rigorous forensic evaluation. The signatures were carefully analyzed across multiple criteria, including ink deposition, material aging characteristics, stylistic consistency, and historical alignment. The findings provide a sound basis for authenticity and historical context, and the piece is accompanied by comprehensive documentation supporting both its provenance and verification."

Also, all of this feels a bit over the top IMO.