28 Jul, 2014
2014-7-28 7:20:53 AM UTC
Hello, I don't know if any of you would be able to help me?
I have a book called: Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien. I am keen to find out more about it, for example, how many were made, whether it is first edition, potential value (although unsure if I would want to sell it), etc.
I have searched & searched online but there is next to nothing other than a few references. I know there were calendars featuring the prints & later versions without the slipcase, but other than that I am at a dead end. The information I have is:
Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Foreword & Notes by Christopher Tolkien.
1979
George Allen & Unwin.
London.
Hardback. Issued in a slipcase.
I love the passion you guy's have when commenting on Tolkien & his work therefore it makes sense to me to ask those who know the most about this subject to comment. I would be extremely grateful to anyone who can help me. Thanks very much.
Sean.
28 Jul, 2014
2014-7-28 7:41:56 AM UTC
This is indeed a first edition (and there is only one impression). In terms of price, anywhere from GBP 25 to 50 seems to be the going rate on eBay (although there are often copies with higher BIN prices listed). I think I paid GBP 35 three or four years ago. With eBay, you never really know what will happen, so you could potentially get more on a good day.
Stu.
http://www.tolkienbooks.net/php/details.php?reference=63690
28 Jul, 2014
2014-7-28 7:50:17 AM UTC
Thanks Stu, yeah its funny how these book are so much more valuable to have as an owner than as a seller.
How do I tell that it is a first edition? It says published 1979 & I can't see that earlier ones were made. I would imagine that if it were for example second or third, then this would have been mentioned in the forward notes.
There is no mention of an edition at all.
Cheers again for your reply, good stuff.
28 Jul, 2014
2014-7-28 8:14:14 AM UTC
SeanG wrote:
Thanks Stu, yeah its funny how these book are so much more valuable to have as an owner than as a seller.
How do I tell that it is a first edition? It says published 1979 & I can't see that earlier ones were made. I would imagine that if it were for example second or third, then this would have been mentioned in the forward notes.
There is no mention of an edition at all.
Cheers again for your reply, good stuff.
"Pictures" wasn't reprinted until the second Edition (which was published in 1992 by HarperCollins -- and I think that one got two impressions, from memory). Basically, if you have a 1979 GA&U "Pictures", it is the 1st Edition/1st Impression.
Normally (but not always) when a book is reprinted there is either a statement of the previous printings or - more recently - a number-line that tells you the same thing. Like I say, in this case, there was only a single impression, so it is dead easy to know what you have.
Like you say, probably more valuable to own and enjoy than to sell -- this is certainly one of my favourite Tolkien books.
Cheers
Stu
28 Jul, 2014
2014-7-28 9:27:24 AM UTC
Thats brilliant, thanks Stu. It surprises me that this information is not easier to find, especially given an author with such a high profile.
I have seen the item listed on ebay for £192.00 which seems a little extreme:
eBay Item #231215044580Yet there is a mint copy going for £10 with 5 days remaining & no bids:
eBay Item #151365297064As we said this is a fantastic book with such amazing artwork. Why would anyone want to give it away for the price of a couple of pints?
28 Jul, 2014
2014-7-28 6:18:22 PM UTC
SeanG wrote:
It surprises me that this information is not easier to find, especially given an author with such a high profile.
Welcome to the site,
Stu pointed you towards the excellent
www.tolkienbooks.net which, fortunately for us, makes this information very easy to find.
I would also recommend the
Descriptive Bibliography and you can also find more information about this book at the same site.
http://www.tolkienbooks.net/php/hammond.php
761
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