There was an Italian edition of The Annotated Hobbit that had cover artwork used without the artist's (Ron Ploeg I believe) permission, and was promptly removed from sale and destroyed when this was pointed out so not many copies exist. Here's one on eBay (no comment on asking price, just good to see a copy of a scarce edition).

Urulókë wrote:

There was an Italian edition of The Annotated Hobbit that had cover artwork used without the artist's (Ron Ploeg I believe) permission, and was promptly removed from sale and destroyed when this was pointed out so not many copies exist. Here's one on eBay (no comment on asking price, just good to see a copy of a scarce edition).

J.R.R. TOLKIEN - LO HOBBIT ANNOTATO (D.A.ANDERSON) PRIMA EDIZIONE BOMPIANI 2004

224296389421

Seller: federicoludon

(16)

Ended Jan 7, 2021

This item ended more than 90 days ago

These editions that get pulled because of basic due diligence not having been done always amaze me. They do make for great collectors items, though.

Urulókë wrote:

THE HOBBIT by JRR TOLKIEN 1951 Second Edition (Fifth Impression) HB no Jacket

373438426735

Seller: gedneygirl

(1531)

Ended Jan 31, 2021

This item ended more than 90 days ago

Be interesting to see that this goes for. A little while since one sold on ebay via auction format. If anyone here buys it wants a facsimile dust jacket file, ping me.

Urulókë wrote:

There was an Italian edition of The Annotated Hobbit that had cover artwork used without the artist's (Ron Ploeg I believe) permission, and was promptly removed from sale and destroyed when this was pointed out so not many copies exist. Here's one on eBay (no comment on asking price, just good to see a copy of a scarce edition).

J.R.R. TOLKIEN - LO HOBBIT ANNOTATO (D.A.ANDERSON) PRIMA EDIZIONE BOMPIANI 2004

224296389421

Seller: federicoludon

(16)

Ended Jan 7, 2021

This item ended more than 90 days ago

I have got a copy of that one, never thought it would be so valuable.

I also got a LOTR first impression of the same series which is getting more and more valuable since last year they released a new translation of LOTR (which is a mess) and removed from sale every book which featured the old one.

Apropos of not much, I was in conversation with an art dealer who suddenly seemed to sell a lot of his Tolkien themed original art after it sitting for what seemed like years. I asked about this and he offered no real explanation, but noted his books were selling like hotcakes as well.

Tapuvae wrote:

Apropos of not much, I was in conversation with an art dealer who suddenly seemed to sell a lot of his Tolkien themed original art after it sitting for what seemed like years. I asked about this and he offered no real explanation, but noted his books were selling like hotcakes as well.

A combination of TV series interest and money-printing, I'd guess.

Was a fairly clean copy and sold for £515, which is probably about where one would have expected, based on recent Hobbit sales, which seem to have gotten a bit silly. Glad I lucked out on my copy for half that on Abe a few months back.