By Iain

Advice on selling please

27 Oct, 2025
2025-10-27 7:00:56 PM UTC

Hi to all,

My brother needs to sell his Tolkien books but neither he nor I are well versed in the minutiae...and would really value some guidance. I've set out some details of the books he wants to dispose of below....They were all gifts to him when he was young from our dad. It seems to be either auction, Abe or Ebay?

Oxford Poetry 1914-1916 Blackwell 1917 VG

The adventures of Tom Bombadil George Allen and Unwin 1962 VG DW

A Tolkien Bestiary Mitchell Beazley 1979 Fine

The road goes ever on 1968 Fine

Sir Gawain George Allen and Unwin 1975 VG DW

A middle english vocabulary Clarendon Press 1922 VG

The fellowship of the ring 2nd impression George Allen and Unwin 1954 ok

The Two Towers George Allen and Unwin 1954 ok

The fellowship of the ring 1st imp George Allen and Unwin 1954 ok part dw

Lord of the rings 2nd edition George Allen and Unwin 1966 good dw

Smith of Wootton Major George Allen and Unwin 1967 good

Sir Gawain Clarendon Press 1925 good

The return of the king George Allen and Unwin 1955 1st OK

The return of the king George Allen and Unwin 1955 1st better

Complete set of Lord of the Rings 2nd edition 1966 in dw VG

Thanks for any feedback

Iain

SamwiseTheBrave
Just can't stay away

27 Oct, 2025
2025-10-27 7:14:19 PM UTC

This is a rather valuable collection. If you are able to find recent sales for similar items, it could help determine a price range. eBay auctions can be an option, but they may sell for below market and there are of course fees for each sale.

I would recommend posting photos of the books if you are able to. This would give the group a better idea of what your brother has if you are looking for offers or price estimates.

Iain

27 Oct, 2025
2025-10-27 7:22:08 PM UTC

Much thanks, I'll upload photos to this thread. Given there are a number of books do you think I should do it one by one?

Iain

Mr. Underhill
Shirrif (Moderator)

27 Oct, 2025 (edited)
2025-10-27 7:26:15 PM UTC

Iain wrote:
Much thanks, I'll upload photos to this thread. Given there are a number of books do you think I should do it one by one?

Iain

Welcome to the site, yes you could upload one by one or all together. Up to you. The more images you provide of the items, the better evaluation and or interest you will get from members here.

You could use Ebay or ABE(fees are lower here), you can also sell items directly here by conversing with interested members via PM and setting up your own payment method. We can give you values for different items, please keep in mind they would only be estimates (but good ones at that)

SamwiseTheBrave
Just can't stay away

27 Oct, 2025 (edited)
2025-10-27 7:27:45 PM UTC

I wouldn't sell them all as one lot. However, you could (for example) combine the 1st edition 1st printing of the FoTR, TT, and RoTK as a set of first printings. If you did that, I would recommend reaching out to a dealer/auction house rather than using an online selling platform. A set of 1st printings could go for quite a bit and you'd probably have better luck at an auction where they can advertise and specialize in rare books.

Other group members may have additional insights

EDIT: I read that wrong. Thought you were asking about selling them as a single lot. My mistake

Mr. Underhill
Shirrif (Moderator)

27 Oct, 2025
2025-10-27 7:30:39 PM UTC

SamwiseTheBrave wrote:
If you did that, I would recommend reaching out to a dealer/auction house rather than using an online selling platform. A set of 1st printings could go for quite a bit and you'd probably have better luck at an auction where they can advertise and specialize in rare books.

Other group members may have additional insights

Not necessarily, auction houses have very high fees, dealer makes no mention of selling them as a lot.

Iain

27 Oct, 2025
2025-10-27 7:41:55 PM UTC

Much thanks, I'll upload photos to this thread. Given there are a number of books do you think I should do it one by one?

Iain

Mr. Underhill
Shirrif (Moderator)

27 Oct, 2025
2025-10-27 7:44:36 PM UTC

Iain wrote:
Much thanks, I'll upload photos to this thread. Given there are a number of books do you think I should do it one by one?

Iain

Sure, as was said above, you could upload one by one or you could all in one go. The more images of the items the better.

rosshm16

28 Oct, 2025 (edited)
2025-10-28 12:19:05 AM UTC

Example of a recent auction and bids on first impressions of the 1954-55 LOTR, although it appears this set was in unusually good condition:

https://news.justcollecting.com/tens-o ... -the-rings-first-edition/

Iain

28 Oct, 2025
2025-10-28 3:36:15 PM UTC

Pictures of the second impression of the Fellowship of the Ring.

Advice on selling please

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