The Michael Tolkien item is definitely legitimate.

Although I haven't seen this particular item, orcraider has sold two Michael Tolkien items (on eBay) very recently both of which I had offered to me privately from a reputable PBFA/ABA book dealer. I know this dealer sold one or two through eBay, back in late 2007, and presume orcraider bought a few of these at that time. That aside, orcraider is an honest and reliable dealer; to be highly recommended.

BH

What do you guys think of this one?

There sure have been a lot of "supposed" signed Tolkien items on eBay lately.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-PENCIL-SK ... wings?hash=item45efe9d072

I think the description is nothing more or less than a shaggy dog story. Nice picture; shame about the forged signature.

Yet another signature

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/JRR-Tolkien-Cut ... ain_0?hash=item53deae63ac

but even with its 'guarantee', which is completely worthless in this context, does not look very good

That signature is horrible and they didn't even spell the word "guarentee" correctly. I feel like I've seen something like this before.

The 'antique pencil sketch' doesn't appear to be all that 'antique', the style of drawing isn't Tolkien's, let alone typical of his early work, nor is it his signature. Isn't it amazing how much is being found when clearing houses! As for the latest non-signature, it's a less than half-hearted attempt.

Wayne and Christina

Another sketch purportedly done by Tolkien: http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-PENCIL-SK ... wings?hash=item33594593d9

It is the same seller as the last 'picture' as the text is virtually identical but a different eBay account.

Fake 1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-PENCIL-SK ... wings?hash=item33594593d9

Fake 2

http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-PENCIL-SK ... wings?hash=item45efe9d072

I'm going to report this seller as well to eBay.

This is not on Ebay but I hope it's ok to post in this thread anyway. What do people think about this signature:

http://www.elybooks.com/Details.aspx?BookNum=1478

Those pictures look distorted. Here's a better one -

https://affiliates.abebooks.com/c/9724 ... %2526x%253D31%2526y%253D8

(sorry - didn't realize the address was so long. It might be betterto go to abe and search for Tolkien and Bayntun)

The signature looks ok to me - if it were not, it certainly isn't one of the latest batch of bad forgeries. I've seen this set beforeI think; years ago. Come to think of it, I'm not sure if Bayntuns are still going. They are(or were) a firm of high repute. Their work is first class.