I have a loose bookplate that was laid-into a US Regular Trade Edition. I purchased it on ABE from a seller in San Franciso a couple of days after the launch. I believe it may have come from the Launch at 'Booksmith' in San Fran. They had 5 bookplates to give away on the launch day (as did a few other stores in the US). I also believe it was the responsibility of the bookstores to paste in the bookplates (under instruction from the publisher). So maybe the store in San Fran did not follow directions.
It is certainly genuine in any case. I have 2 other Bookplate Editions to compare against (one obtained by a good friend and the other purchased on the 18-APR on Ebay). So I am completely confident it is genuine.
I think I read somewhere also that the Tolkien Estate got a quantity of bookplates to distribute as they saw fit. Cannot remember where I read that.
With regards to the Bookplates in the US Deluxe Editions. I believe the one on Ebay is genuine. While I am reluctant to say anything definitively (when it is second-hand information), I also believe that HMCO did indeed hold back some quantity of bookplates and did distribute them to 'selected people'. Whether this was officially done is another question. I have no idea. But I do believe there are a number of US Delxue Editions with genuine bookplates. Probably a relatively small number.
It is certainly genuine in any case. I have 2 other Bookplate Editions to compare against (one obtained by a good friend and the other purchased on the 18-APR on Ebay). So I am completely confident it is genuine.
I think I read somewhere also that the Tolkien Estate got a quantity of bookplates to distribute as they saw fit. Cannot remember where I read that.
With regards to the Bookplates in the US Deluxe Editions. I believe the one on Ebay is genuine. While I am reluctant to say anything definitively (when it is second-hand information), I also believe that HMCO did indeed hold back some quantity of bookplates and did distribute them to 'selected people'. Whether this was officially done is another question. I have no idea. But I do believe there are a number of US Delxue Editions with genuine bookplates. Probably a relatively small number.
The US Deluxe one one eBay doesn't look quite right. The lines on the helm look a bit too thick and black (not as bad as the obviously dodgy ones on eBay a few weeks ago). Fairly unscientifically, I took a picture of a good one and shrank it down to the same size as the image from the US Deluxe on eBay. The image of the 'good one' that I shrank down still had much finer lines than the photo of the US Deluxe exhibits. It may indeed be genuine, but I wouldn't personally risk it...
I think on the whole that any of the bookplated CoHs are a truly bad investment for anyone that didn't get one at the launch. In the future no one is going to trust their authenticity, so all you really have is a $30 - $60 book in a fairly uninspiring binding (even the deluxes are a fairly bland-looking book compared to the various pre-2004 UK deluxe editions) with bit of dubious paper stuck in it.
Just my opinion, though - and I appreciate that it doesn't count for much :)
I think on the whole that any of the bookplated CoHs are a truly bad investment for anyone that didn't get one at the launch. In the future no one is going to trust their authenticity, so all you really have is a $30 - $60 book in a fairly uninspiring binding (even the deluxes are a fairly bland-looking book compared to the various pre-2004 UK deluxe editions) with bit of dubious paper stuck in it.
Just my opinion, though - and I appreciate that it doesn't count for much :)
I am sure there are many others with similiar sentiments. However, if you are a collector and you want a Bookplated Edition for the collection, then the reality is that you just have to purchase one. They will become very scarce in the near future.
In general, the vast majority of people selling on ebay are honest and it is mostly easy enough to determine the fakes (but not always). And if you use a Credit Card or Paypal to purchase, then if after receving the book, you determine it is not genuine, then you will be covered by your Credit Card guarantee. As far as I can tell, I have only seen a few fakes on Ebay so far.
But if you are looking at it from purely an investment point of view, then you may well be right. Hard to tell where prices will go in the future. But for me, the most important thing is having a copy that I believe to be genuine. The future value doesn't really matter much to me (though obviously it is nice bonus to see prices of editions you possess rise in value).
All IMHO.
In general, the vast majority of people selling on ebay are honest and it is mostly easy enough to determine the fakes (but not always). And if you use a Credit Card or Paypal to purchase, then if after receving the book, you determine it is not genuine, then you will be covered by your Credit Card guarantee. As far as I can tell, I have only seen a few fakes on Ebay so far.
But if you are looking at it from purely an investment point of view, then you may well be right. Hard to tell where prices will go in the future. But for me, the most important thing is having a copy that I believe to be genuine. The future value doesn't really matter much to me (though obviously it is nice bonus to see prices of editions you possess rise in value).
All IMHO.
In regards to Alan Lee signing and dating books, Alan normally signs and puts the date on the book. But like most book signers, they are normally happy to do whatever is asked for. I just asked him to sign mine and not date it, my copies do not have dates.
Just thought I would add to the discussion a little.
I managed to procur a few of the US Deluxe Editions with the signed bookplate from a couple of people who worked for one of the business involved in the release at Waterstones. Part of my purchase agreement was not to divulge the identity of the individuals or what company they worked for. Since then I have come to the conclusion that there were a number of extra's of the bookplates that did not make it into the trade edition or deluxe editions that were sold at the release date party(s). Once all of the UK books were sold, they were stuck into the only available Deluxe Editions, (which got a higher price) which happened to be the US version which was released a few days before I received them (after shipping from the UK). I have no reason to believe that they are fakes, as I have compared them to many copies in my own collection/inventory, and they appear to be genuine in every respect.
One other point to make for discussion purpose's only. I also discovered that the newly stuck down plates were very easy to lift and replace. I had one book that had a bad binding error, and I tried to lift it, and it was quite easy to remove. Just a little bit of carefull pulling from one corner, and the whole bookplate liften right off, leaving no residue, and was able to stick back into it's current residence, still in my personal collection.
Also in the US, if you could not make the signing even in New York, you could simply call in and place an order for up to two of the signed copies and charge it to your credit card. Luckily I figured this out a couple of days before, and managed to get two direct from the bookseller Barnes & Noble. Just thought I would mention that, as anyone could have purchased that way. Maybe next time around someone will benefit from that knowledge.
Also, I have run across about every variation possible on the Alan Lee signatures, date, no date, signed to the bookplate, not signed on the bookplate but on the title page, extra drawing by AL done on the front endpaper, etc. Just about anything you could think of he would do, given the time. With the number of signing he attended with a few days of release the number of permutations is almost endless.
D
I managed to procur a few of the US Deluxe Editions with the signed bookplate from a couple of people who worked for one of the business involved in the release at Waterstones. Part of my purchase agreement was not to divulge the identity of the individuals or what company they worked for. Since then I have come to the conclusion that there were a number of extra's of the bookplates that did not make it into the trade edition or deluxe editions that were sold at the release date party(s). Once all of the UK books were sold, they were stuck into the only available Deluxe Editions, (which got a higher price) which happened to be the US version which was released a few days before I received them (after shipping from the UK). I have no reason to believe that they are fakes, as I have compared them to many copies in my own collection/inventory, and they appear to be genuine in every respect.
One other point to make for discussion purpose's only. I also discovered that the newly stuck down plates were very easy to lift and replace. I had one book that had a bad binding error, and I tried to lift it, and it was quite easy to remove. Just a little bit of carefull pulling from one corner, and the whole bookplate liften right off, leaving no residue, and was able to stick back into it's current residence, still in my personal collection.
Also in the US, if you could not make the signing even in New York, you could simply call in and place an order for up to two of the signed copies and charge it to your credit card. Luckily I figured this out a couple of days before, and managed to get two direct from the bookseller Barnes & Noble. Just thought I would mention that, as anyone could have purchased that way. Maybe next time around someone will benefit from that knowledge.
Also, I have run across about every variation possible on the Alan Lee signatures, date, no date, signed to the bookplate, not signed on the bookplate but on the title page, extra drawing by AL done on the front endpaper, etc. Just about anything you could think of he would do, given the time. With the number of signing he attended with a few days of release the number of permutations is almost endless.
D
I'm not sure what you're saying!
B&N got ~450 (signed by CT & AL), Waterstones ~200 (signed by CT only)--as widely reported at the time (figures from David Brawn via Beren).
When you say "Once all of the UK books were sold..." --where & when are you referring to? You go on to say "they were stuck into the only available Deluxe Editions, (which got a higher price) which happened to be the US version...". In the US only HM's standard Hb had been published at launch time.
Theoretically, excepting the one or two that you refer to (that were held back; probably unofficially) & the more problematic peeling problem, the variations are fairly straightforward --are they not? Why would any bookplates have been inserted into US Deluxe editions?
Not trying to up the scarcity claim (because there were, reportedly, about 900 of these all in) but CT himself didn't have any for distribution at the time, so I doubt (as discussed above back in 2007) that The Tolkien Estate had much, if any. DB stated recently that they were all used i.e. (my interpretation) they were all distributed by HC (regardless of what then happened to them) at the time. He gave no hint or impression of staggered distribution.
The peeling is quite interesting though...
BH
B&N got ~450 (signed by CT & AL), Waterstones ~200 (signed by CT only)--as widely reported at the time (figures from David Brawn via Beren).
When you say "Once all of the UK books were sold..." --where & when are you referring to? You go on to say "they were stuck into the only available Deluxe Editions, (which got a higher price) which happened to be the US version...". In the US only HM's standard Hb had been published at launch time.
Theoretically, excepting the one or two that you refer to (that were held back; probably unofficially) & the more problematic peeling problem, the variations are fairly straightforward --are they not? Why would any bookplates have been inserted into US Deluxe editions?
Not trying to up the scarcity claim (because there were, reportedly, about 900 of these all in) but CT himself didn't have any for distribution at the time, so I doubt (as discussed above back in 2007) that The Tolkien Estate had much, if any. DB stated recently that they were all used i.e. (my interpretation) they were all distributed by HC (regardless of what then happened to them) at the time. He gave no hint or impression of staggered distribution.
The peeling is quite interesting though...
BH
Waterstones had very large quantities of both the Trade and Deluxe Edition on the first day, it looked to me like at least 1000 Trade copies and about 300 Deluxe, so I'm also struggling with how they ran out.
The signed bookplates were on big rolls. It looked to me like Waterstone's staff applied these to the books as people went into the store, which is why they ended up in the UK Deluxe copies and not just the Trade editions (they had stated that only the first 50 people in the queue would get a trade copy with a bookplates).
I'm also intrigued that it would be very easy to move a trade bookplate to a Deluxe copy
The signed bookplates were on big rolls. It looked to me like Waterstone's staff applied these to the books as people went into the store, which is why they ended up in the UK Deluxe copies and not just the Trade editions (they had stated that only the first 50 people in the queue would get a trade copy with a bookplates).
I'm also intrigued that it would be very easy to move a trade bookplate to a Deluxe copy
So, looking at the way fakes seem to have heavier lines on the helm, does this auction look fake or real? After I queried it the seller put a little 'this could be fake' bit onto his description. Certainly from the pics earlier in this thread it appears fake;
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/J-R-R-Tolkien-C ... ction&hash=item33608b389f
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/J-R-R-Tolkien-C ... ction&hash=item33608b389f
It is very hard to say, I have the receipt from Waterstone's for the trade and deluxe edition that I bought with the date on it, but as far as I can see that is the only provenance you can get for these items, particularly as you can buy a US copy and easily transfer the plate to a UK deluxe.
I'd avoid these and for people who want a signed copy of COH, get the SuperDeluxe instead as you know the signatures are fine.
I also, as stated before, would not buy from any seller who offers a no return policy on signatures.
I'd avoid these and for people who want a signed copy of COH, get the SuperDeluxe instead as you know the signatures are fine.
I also, as stated before, would not buy from any seller who offers a no return policy on signatures.
Hello, All. Sorry to resurrect an ancient thread, but I wanted to run something by the forum. I recently came across a US (Houghton Mifflin) Deluxe Children of Hurin with the double signed bookplate in it. I know that from Beren's and Dunedain's posts, that some of these indeed exist. I have been comparing the images posted by Uruloke back on 1-June-07, and I believe that my copy is legitimate.
Would anyone here care to give their assessment of my copy (based on the attached photo), and can anyone make further comment on the number of known US Deluxe CoH copies that have this double signed plate in them? Thanks!
P.S. I can't remember which thread it was, but I very much agree with the recent suggestion that people begin to post actual images and screenshots, rather than links. It's quite frustrating not to be able to view all of the dead ebay links within the forum. Unfortunately, it is a lot of great reference material that essentially has been lost.
Would anyone here care to give their assessment of my copy (based on the attached photo), and can anyone make further comment on the number of known US Deluxe CoH copies that have this double signed plate in them? Thanks!
P.S. I can't remember which thread it was, but I very much agree with the recent suggestion that people begin to post actual images and screenshots, rather than links. It's quite frustrating not to be able to view all of the dead ebay links within the forum. Unfortunately, it is a lot of great reference material that essentially has been lost.