[WTB] Christopher Tolkien Signed 1st/1st Silmarillion

Why the "not Methuen" request? CT didn't flatsign any Methuen copies to my knowledge. And, condition really doesn't matter, you sure? Are you planning on rebinding?

Thanks for the response! I am thinking about getting a Silmarillion rebound and I figured it would be nice to have a signed 1st/1st to make the rebound even more meaningful. That also explains why I prefer a copy in poorer condition.

I am seeking non-Methuen because if I do find a signed Methuen copy, I will never have it rebound.

BTW, I do own a Silmarillion signed by Christopher Tolkien, but I do not have the courage to get this book rebound. Hence, my search for another signed copy.

For me, part of the story of these early signed copies, is the where & when aspect. Christopher mostly signed copies to the ffep, so the provenance is going to be basically destroyed by rebinding it. There will no evidence that you didn't take the signature from somewhere else (as unlikely as that would be) & joining that with a random first edition copy. Not saying the value of an incredibly high-end rebind + Christopher's signature isn't going to significant, but it seems a shame in some respects.

Have you considered having a very high quality clamshell made for your existing signed Silmarillion? I tend to agree with Khamûl - the main interest in early signed Silmarillions is the originality, really. I think once you rebind, it isn't much different than a '98 illustrated deluxe; All very nice, but it isn't really an original signed 1st/1st.

That said, perhaps I could see the appeal in having a binding done like the 1982 (but with better quality and execution).

Khamûl wrote:

For me, part of the story of these early signed copies, is the where & when aspect. Christopher mostly signed copies to the ffep, so the provenance is going to be basically destroyed by rebinding it. There will no evidence that you didn't take the signature from somewhere else (as unlikely as that would be) & joining that with a random first edition copy. Not saying the value of an incredibly high-end rebind + Christopher's signature isn't going to significant, but it seems a shame in some respects.

Wow, all thanks to you, I am able to save a perfectly fine signed Silmarillion from getting ripped. I juts realized that you are right; the signature is present on ffep, so when the book is rebound, all the proof of provenance will be gone. Thanks for reminding me!

Stu wrote:

Have you considered having a very high quality clamshell made for your existing signed Silmarillion? I tend to agree with Khamûl - the main interest in early signed Silmarillions is the originality, really. I think once you rebind, it isn't much different than a '98 illustrated deluxe; All very nice, but it isn't really an original signed 1st/1st.

That said, perhaps I could see the appeal in having a binding done like the 1982 (but with better quality and execution).

I already had high quality solander casings made for several of my 1st/1sts and have two Hobbits rebound by two established binderies based in UK. However, it has always been my dream to pour all the craftmanship into making a most intricately designed Silmarillion. Lets say, I would like to have a showcase of works by different binderies!

Currently, I have the Hobbit rebound by Bayntun Rivere and another one by the Chelsea Bindery. For another Hobbit, I thought about having Sangorski & Sutcliffe (Shepherds) rebind it, but a renowned children's literature collector from Grolier was adamant about not destroying original work for the sake of rebinding, so I just had a solander case made for it.

This time, I would like Richard Tong of Lyra's Books (a close associate of HarperCollins) to rebind my Silmarillion.

' a renowned children's literature collector from Grolier was adamant about not destroying original work for the sake of rebinding''

I agree with this. I'm all for keeping my Tolkien books as they were published.
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The_Antiquarian wrote:

the sake of rebinding, so I just had a solander case made for it.

This time, I would like Richard Tong of Lyra's Books (a close associate of HarperCollins) to rebind my Silmarillion.

I think Lyras do some really nice work. The only thing that always feels like a technical error is the small space between the boards and the spine where the leather shrinks at the head and foot. It just feels excessive relative to other binderies, which is a shame as I really like everything else about their work.

Stu wrote:

The_Antiquarian wrote:

the sake of rebinding, so I just had a solander case made for it.

This time, I would like Richard Tong of Lyra's Books (a close associate of HarperCollins) to rebind my Silmarillion.

I think Lyras do some really nice work. The only thing that always feels like a technical error is the small space between the boards and the spine where the leather shrinks at the head and foot. It just feels excessive relative to other binderies, which is a shame as I really like everything else about their work.

If you're talking about the triangular cut-aways ("back-cornering") to the head & tail of the boards at the spine, then that's to remove the sharpness of those corners to prevent them poking through the leather, when one is turning the leather in. It's also stylistic & helps with forming headcaps. It's not to do with leather shrinkage.