That is Ted's signature and I have never seen any forgeries of his signature.

Excellent - thank you!

Snagged an ex-lib Essays and Studies 1953; not a great collector’s copy but very nice to read. At last I have the whole “Tolkien Reader” in hardcovers. Anyone got a facsimile dustjacket…?

Just got this copy of the HarperCollins LotR Millennium set. I didn’t realize it had the rounded cutouts in the side (see photo). I’ve only seem them without the cutouts (i.e., all copies I’ve seen in person, for sale online, or on the tolkienbooks page). Is this a familiar variant to people? Any info appreciated. Thanks.

From the image, it looks like someone might have cut it. Is that how it looks in person?

Jlong wrote:

From the image, it looks like someone might have cut it. Is that how it looks in person?

I wondered about that, but if so it was done with incredible precision. They’re exactly aligned on both sides, and essentially as smooth as any of my other box sets with these kinds of cutouts.

From the image it doesn't look like that was cut by machine but rather laid flat and scored until cut through. The card looks rough in areas with some of the inner materials exposed which I've not come across in a cut done by the printers.

onthetrail wrote:

From the image it doesn't look like that was cut by machine but rather laid flat and scored until cut through. The card looks rough in areas with some of the inner materials exposed which I've not come across in a cut done by the printers.

Agreed - I've not come across any with these cutouts before. This does look like a (well done) aftermarket modification to the slipcase.

Ok, thanks everyone!

My copy also has the cut-outs, so must have been done by the Publisher.