So this is a more general question but is there a way to press out the dog ears on book like they do with comics? And, the million dollar question is whether anything can be done to remove foxing. Google turns up several remedies but...

Looking back at his images, the coloring of the leather is curious. Other online photos of this volume don't show a pure red leather either, it always appears a bit mottled. But one wonders if the foxing indicates storage conditions conducive to leather effects of a similar nature.

Tapuvae wrote:
So this is a more general question but is there a way to press out the dog ears on book like they do with comics? And, the million dollar question is whether anything can be done to remove foxing. Google turns up several remedies but...

Looking back at his images, the coloring of the leather is curious. Other online photos of this volume don't show a pure red leather either, it always appears a bit mottled. But one wonders if the foxing indicates storage conditions conducive to leather effects of a similar nature.

No way to remove foxing (It can be done page by page with the pages removed by soaking in a "magic solution", which varies depending on the reason for the foxing, but in practical terms the answer is no. The solution is washed out and the pages are dried (pressed between two sheets of glass, IIRC)).

I have (one time) removed mild dog ears and creases with the application of a little heat and small amount of isopropyl alcohol to relax the fibres. I wouldn't attempt anything like this on a book with value, though, and it is going to depend on the paper.

I don't have a copy of the book, so not sure about the leather. Certainly the 1987 Hobbits are very variable, from an almost comedic bright green on some copies to a very dark colour on others, so there may be similar variations in the Sils? Foxing usually implies storage in a place with an elevated RH (not necessarily by much, depending on the impurities in the paper), and I have definitely seen leather finishes become mottled in that situation.

Same copy being re-sold.

Personally, I don't think the condition of this one justifies the asking price. It is a little bit grotty, I think. Definitely looks to have been badly stored.

eBay Item #182208816146

Looks like it sold privately. Shame the original seller didn't disclose the information. The dog ears were harsh, and dirty. Odd.

Tapuvae (Chris) wrote:
Looks like it sold privately. Shame the original seller didn't disclose the information. The dog ears were harsh, and dirty. Odd.

Laurel/MartinsCat is an old hand at buying and selling Tolkien Books. I doubt he would have purchased it without doing due diligence and knowing he can turn it for a profit! I don't think I would personally enjoy owning it - some editions are OK in less than perfect condition, but tatty deluxes are a bit of an oxymoron; I just don't see the point in owning them.

Yes, I can confirm, that Martin sold it privatly. Price was negotiated and was acceptable. GBP is cheap these days

This is where I was on it. This one could be had for around 2k US vs a new offering from the Tolkien Bookshelf for a clean and signed copy for just under 5k, likely could haggle that down a little. Is a clean and signed copy worth double? The numbers hurt regardless.

Tapuvae (Chris) wrote:
This is where I was on it. This one could be had for around 2k US vs a new offering from the Tolkien Bookshelf for a clean and signed copy for just under 5k, likely could haggle that down a little. Is a clean and signed copy worth double? The numbers hurt regardless.

Remember asking prices != selling prices (or not always). Tolkien collecting is a bit of an oddity, though. Most genres of book collecting seem to only ascribe significant value to books that are either very, very rare or are in fine condition (or close to). I think the whole movie thing drew in a lot of people into collecting Tolkien who were less bothered about condition. That seems to be unwinding a bit now, and I think Tolkien collecting will become a lot more discerning over time.

Its odd you mention the condition thing. I admit I am approaching my two year anniversary of collecting the books but have been a lifelong collector of Tolkien and other fantasy art, toys, etc. I can say in the vintage toy game condition matters, a lot. It seems with books some things are overlooked like a minor bumped corner. I have really yet to get a book and inspect it with the same eyes as I do toys and be happy with it. They always seem to have some issue and retailers and resellers rarely pack the things worth a damn.

I also admit that it was social media and the HC deluxe series that got me here. As I collect too much I am not a completist in any way and have a short list left of signed, limited items before I figure out how much I can afford on "as close to a first edition" of The Hobbit and LOTR.

I've been collecting Tolkien books for over 15 years now. I've started with German editions, which I completed a couple of years ago (all in fine condition or even sealed) and went over to the original editions. Normally I focus on very good to fine condition, but in this case I made an exception. And let's face it. This book shows up for a reasonable price only every few years. So you can either wait for the next, or the one after, or you can buy this one and be proud of another gem in your collection.