The 7-volume auctions were all definitely different sets Trotter; look at the the shrinkwrap coverings --all have different holes & stretches on them.

BH

Why use this picture for ebooks?

eBay Item #221515656649

Not to mention that these ebooks are probably not legally legitimate.

This first American printing of RotK is a disaster: https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Rings-Part ... collsguid-20&linkCode=osi

The $170 price is almost laughable. I don't think I'd pay $17.

This is an interesting book, a 1st printing with commentary from the original buyer.

eBay Item #221519251942

The original buyer in 1962, stated that "This edition, alas, is spoiled by inappropriate illustrations".

I don't agree with these sentiments, but it is interesting that Pauline Baynes, was still being questioned as an illustrator in 1962.

I too saw this (re-listed; no buyers first time around) & found the marginalia very interesting. Not sure if it's interesting enough to make me want to buy it, but interesting nonetheless. I've been looking for copies of The Silmarillion with contemporary marginalia for quite some time (as early reception of the book itself; & marginalia [as something some readers do] is something I'm very interested in); never seen any copies though...

BH

A great opportunity to grab this eBay 'Acceptable' copy of the Hobbit, though the seller appears to have forgotten to mention that this item is by eBay terms 'Acceptable'.

He does not point out these salient facts, but gives some guidance for budding collectors, and in his excitement forgot to post any pictures of the ex-library stamps.

"THE HOBBIT BY J.R.R. Tolkien

worthy of any collection
11th impression
would make an excellent addition to any collector / fans collection

some sun marks as per pics and some spine lean, previous owners inscription to FEP, ex-library with stamps, damage to spice(sic) as per pics, some brown (age) spots and dusty page edges

worth much more than the asking price
low starting price, this value only likely to increase with the impending film release."

eBay Item #141373097390

Someone got ripped off with this one...

eBay Item #171344306763

I saw that one. Is it even possible to determine which edition that came from?

Jlong wrote:
I saw that one. Is it even possible to determine which edition that came from?

It would probably be possible to narrow it down based on the typeface of the GA&U lettering on the spine and the alignment of the three colours in the artwork which varies from impression to impression.

Definitely isn't from any of the first edition printings - can say that much.

Jlong wrote:
I saw that one. Is it even possible to determine which edition that came from?

Not really, as the main clues would be on the flaps which have been cut off.

You can tell that it was a dust-jacket from a 2nd edition 1954 or later impression, from the George Allen & Unwin on the spine being typed and not hand-written, and it was no later than the last printing of the 3rd edition in 1975, as the size of the word Tolkien and Hobbit on the spine are smaller from 1978.