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5 Nov, 2017
2017-11-5 5:34:30 PM UTC
By the way, may I see the rebound works of those books?

May I also ask which binderies you have used to get them rebound?
5 Nov, 2017
2017-11-5 5:51:29 PM UTC
I think this is what we are trying to point out, spending $10k-$13K on a rebound Hobbit is great if you like the binding and want to keep it, but it is a very poor investment, as any future resale value will probably be significantly less than you paid for the item.

If you are happy with losing most of your investment on the item, then go ahead with this.
5 Nov, 2017
2017-11-5 6:31:55 PM UTC
Have you thought about buying a 1st, 1st of the American edition? That's the route I'd go if I were spending the kind of money you are talking about.

I personally wouldn't buy a rebound copy UNLESS it was a considerable deal. That's my two cents.
5 Nov, 2017
2017-11-5 6:47:35 PM UTC
For what it is worth, I also would not purchase a rebind, unless very, very cheap (I don't have a single one).Which is not to say "don't do it", but they really are not popular amongst collectors.
5 Nov, 2017
2017-11-5 7:30:09 PM UTC
For this sort of money you can buy a good First with no jacket and still have change or a first set of the Lord of Rings or a signed item? These would be on my list pre a rebind any day
5 Nov, 2017
2017-11-5 8:18:41 PM UTC
If it was a Hobbit I was after, I'd buy a nice condition first (without jacket), stick a facsimile jacket on it (which cost nothing and adds no value, but looks nice), and put it in a nice leather-bound solander case.

But if you really want a rebind, go ahead, but have the expectation that the market for unmolested copies is greater than the market for rebinds.
5 Nov, 2017
2017-11-5 10:16:25 PM UTC
generally, I agree with the posts above - with the addition that it's not a good idea to buy a book as an investment. I buy books because I like them.

But to answer one of your questions - Bayntun's is an old-established firm, and the bindings are excellent. Temple is a new company, relatively speaking. I've never had any of my books bound, but they've made some boxes for me, and I'm very satified with their work. Their bindings look good. Ian Barnes is the owner - he's approachable, and very professional.

I haven't seen any of Chelsea's bindings in the flesh, as it were. Years ago, I heard from a book-dealer thT some staff went to work there from Sangorski Sutcliffe when they ceased trading.
5 Nov, 2017
2017-11-5 11:37:53 PM UTC


I would like a rebound book that will continue to hold its market value (I know that I shouldn't expect any price appreciation since the popularity of Tolkien's work is somewhat dwindling).

For me, this is a problem with what you are trying to achieve. No one can tell you whether a book will lose value, hold value or gain value. The book market is notoriously fickle, and what is fashionable one year may not be so fashionable the next (or the converse).

All I can say is that from personal experience, my books are - without doubt - worth less than I paid for them (which is no big deal as they aren't worth that much and I'll never sell them anyway). The more expensive the items you are purchasing, the more losing significant sums of money becomes a risk.

It feels from reading your posts that investment is always on the back of your mind, and an expectation that certain names/brands associated with a book will guarantee a preservation of value. I just don't think this is the case. In the case of rebinds, a nice rebind is probably easier to sell than a rubbish rebind, bit I don't see anyone chasing after work done by any specific company. That said, I may move in different circles!
21 Nov, 2017
2017-11-21 9:24:50 AM UTC
Thank you fellow Tolkienists for all the sage advices!
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