Yes, US 1938 Hobbit library bindings that I know of and those that I own have no maps…they probably were the causality of the rebinding process since they were partially front and rear paste-downs on the original boards. However, the Hobbit Wiki does state that some rebinds have inserted maps:
“Other library bindings have been reported. A red library binding with yellow title and a simple geometric design in black, and including free-leaf maps, has been seen with the stamp "New Method Book Bindery", a company well known in the trade at the time (later becoming "Bound to Stay Bound Books Inc."[2]).”
As for the book going for $2500, due to the rarity and the current market pressures, that price is probably ok…even with the issues. There is another library binding on AbeBooks that the seller is asking $6500. Been sitting unsold for months.
Lance
“Other library bindings have been reported. A red library binding with yellow title and a simple geometric design in black, and including free-leaf maps, has been seen with the stamp "New Method Book Bindery", a company well known in the trade at the time (later becoming "Bound to Stay Bound Books Inc."[2]).”
As for the book going for $2500, due to the rarity and the current market pressures, that price is probably ok…even with the issues. There is another library binding on AbeBooks that the seller is asking $6500. Been sitting unsold for months.
Lance