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Seeking advice on some old editions

24 Mar, 2021
2021-3-24 9:16:31 AM UTC

Hi folks,
First time on this forum (thanks for letting me in). It was also interesting to join your online collectors smial the other day through the Tolkien Society.

I found if very amusing that two days after the collectors smial my brother got in touch with me unexpectedly...

My brother in New Zealand volunteers at a charity shop and on their behalf got in touch with me for advice on some books recently donated. I'm in Australia!

Here is my rough description:

The Hobbit
Paper cover intact, brown spotted
Inscribed “E. Boniface”
First published in 1937
Second Edition (Fifth Impression) 1951 – Eighth Impression 1956
Printed in Great Britain by Unwin Brothers Ltd, Woking & London
Title page has original colour illustration of The Hill.
I understand the condition overall is only ok, but I only have a few photos at this stage.

The Fellowship of the Rings
Red Cloth binding, paper cover is missing
Inscribed as a gift “Xmas 1956 To live in dreams”
First published in July 1954 – Fifth Impression February 1956
George Allen & Unwin Ltd London
I understand the condition overall is only ok, but I only have a few photos at this stage.

The Two Towers
Paper cover partly intact, brown markings and some tearing.
Inscribed E. Holden 1957.
First published in 1954. Fourth Impression 1956.
I understand the condition overall is only ok, but I only have a few photos at this stage.

The Return of the King
Paper cover, brown spotted and torn.
Fold out two colour map intact
Inscribed “E. Holden. 1957”
First published, October 1955
Second Impression, November 1955
George Allen & Unwin Ltd Ruskin House Museum Street London
Printed in Great Britain Jarrold and Sons Limited Norwich
I understand the condition overall is only ok, but I only have a few photos at this stage.

The Silmarillion
First published in 1977. George Allen and Unwin.
Coloured cover intact
I understand the entire book is in very good condition.

I don't know if they are worth anything, or if they should be advertised on ebay or anywhere else. Or any suggestions on how the charity shop might get the most benefit from the sale of these?

Grateful for any advice.
24 Mar, 2021
2021-3-24 9:20:35 AM UTC
The value would depend on the dust-jackets, probably need pictures of them. They still have a value without dust-jackets or badly damaged dust-jackets but it is a lot less. Stu lives in New Zealand and should be able to help with the best options to sell them.
24 Mar, 2021
2021-3-24 9:21:59 AM UTC

DrongoBarefoot wrote:

Hi folks,
First time on this forum (thanks for letting me in). It was also interesting to join your online collectors smial the other day through the Tolkien Society.

I found if very amusing that two days after the collectors smial my brother got in touch with me unexpectedly...

My brother in New Zealand volunteers at a charity shop and on their behalf got in touch with me for advice on some books recently donated. I'm in Australia!

Here is my rough description:

The Hobbit
Paper cover intact, brown spotted
Inscribed “E. Boniface”
First published in 1937
Second Edition (Fifth Impression) 1951 – Eighth Impression 1956
Printed in Great Britain by Unwin Brothers Ltd, Woking & London
Title page has original colour illustration of The Hill.
I understand the condition overall is only ok, but I only have a few photos at this stage.

The Fellowship of the Rings
Red Cloth binding, paper cover is missing
Inscribed as a gift “Xmas 1956 To live in dreams”
First published in July 1954 – Fifth Impression February 1956
George Allen & Unwin Ltd London
I understand the condition overall is only ok, but I only have a few photos at this stage.

The Two Towers
Paper cover partly intact, brown markings and some tearing.
Inscribed E. Holden 1957.
First published in 1954. Fourth Impression 1956.
I understand the condition overall is only ok, but I only have a few photos at this stage.

The Return of the King
Paper cover, brown spotted and torn.
Fold out two colour map intact
Inscribed “E. Holden. 1957”
First published, October 1955
Second Impression, November 1955
George Allen & Unwin Ltd Ruskin House Museum Street London
Printed in Great Britain Jarrold and Sons Limited Norwich
I understand the condition overall is only ok, but I only have a few photos at this stage.

The Silmarillion
First published in 1977. George Allen and Unwin.
Coloured cover intact
I understand the entire book is in very good condition.

I don't know if they are worth anything, or if they should be advertised on ebay or anywhere else. Or any suggestions on how the charity shop might get the most benefit from the sale of these?

Grateful for any advice.


New Zealander here - The Silmarillion isn't really worth anything, though the charity shop might want to put it on TradeMe with a low reserve. The others are likely to have some value, especially if they have the dust jackets in reasonable condition. If I was selling, I'd probably stick them on eBay to get the best result (though TradeMe does get buyers for these kinds of things, just probably not quite the audience of eBay)
24 Mar, 2021
2021-3-24 7:52:07 PM UTC
Thanks for your suggestions.

Here are the photos I have of the three book covers (FOTR no cover).

5170_605b97d2c8105.jpg 4000X3000 px

5170_605b97d2ca71f.jpg 4000X3000 px

5170_605b97d2ccada.jpg 4000X3000 px

5170_605b97d2cee60.jpg 3920X1981 px
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