Khamûl wrote:
I broadly agree.

The CoH bookplates are a slightly troublesome example though. These were pre-signed but actually stuck in by the publisher (as has been said) at the point of purchase. Nobody (although, I'm sure there may have been one or two) received these signed bookplates loose with the book they purchased in Piccadilly, London on publication day. Sophistication, maybe; but certainly of publisher origin, & not some later cobbled together cut-letter + book nonsense. So, I certainly agree these belong together. The bookplate certainly doesn't belong in any other book.

That said, I think it's really splitting hairs, for example, to suggest Christopher signing a pile of loose sheets in the South of France that would later be bound into a completed book (i.e. the signed limitation pages of all "super" deluxe editions), is really that different from him signing a little sticky piece of paper, as with CoH. These seem more legitimate, but CT certainly never had a book in hand. A 1977 Silmarillion flat-signed at Museum St. prior to its release is, on the other hand, a proper signed book.

BH

From my perspective, I don't think there is a great deal of difference between the two scenarios that you describe. The key for me is that there is an intent for the book and the page (or the book and the plate) to be together -- it isn't just some random mismatched pairing to make a fast buck.

It is not even released yet, but you can get signed copies of Jemima Catlin's Hobbit from Mark Faith, would it not be better if HarperCollins issued signed copies (they do have a website tolkien.co.uk), and not have to pay a £12 markup on the Amazon price from Mr Faith

eBay Item #231033693012

If you want a signed copy, then it may be worth waiting to see what does appear on tolkien.co.uk

I don't think you would get a copy of the same book as in the picture, very nice if you did.

eBay Item #390646614390

This lists like this (i.e. a picture of the Super Deluxe, but they're selling the standard Deluxe) all the time; as I'm sure you've noticed before Trotter. Haven't looked at this one in particular --but many of the listings have some other ISBN which matches neither edition & pulls up incorrect data regarding the publication date. When you ask the sellers about this (& why they have a picture of the Super Deluxe book), it's the old "this is the information provided by the publisher" quip; along with "we can't check our stock --it's in a big warehouse somewhere else"...

BH

eBay Item #400558756447


"A Very Good, rare, sixth impression, third edition, hardback book in a Very Good, clipped d.j. Not ex-library. Book shows shelf wear, particularly to spine ends, light creasing to corners of first two pages and a little light browning marks to front pastedowns (possibly from tape transfer, which seems to have been uses on a jacket protector - see picture). D.j. shows wear, creasing, chipping, a couple of closed tears and brown lines at end of fold-over flaps (tape resudue, used to secure a protector at some point - see picture). For all these faults, still a very nice, clean, square and presentable copy of a rare classic from the master of fantasy. Published by George Allen and Unwin, 1971."

Yes, but is a £20-£30 book, would be nice if ebay sellers checked current prices before listing

Do you guys think this is a legitimate copy of the audiobook for sale? I think I'm going to report it. I've seen it listed several times now.

What do you guys think?

eBay Item #261274746398

Jlong wrote:
Do you guys think this is a legitimate copy of the audiobook for sale? I think I'm going to report it. I've seen it listed several times now.

What do you guys think?

eBay Item #261274746398

I doubt it is legit.

I agree, this is clearly pirated.

Now this is a pricey Puffin...

eBay Item #171108627554

I just reported it. Please report it as well.