Look here -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Wedding-Album-S ... 7e56&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

- would anyone care to hazard a guess as to what possible connection this thing may have with Tolkien?

Not sure about that one garm...

But here is a pretty surprising price I thought!

The Hobbit Deluxe Edition - Mint condition, still in original plastic wrap...

Fair enough if an item is scarce. But this edition comes up a fair amount on eBay. There doesn't seem to be any need for paying £127...

BH

or £199 for that matter...

the hobbit j.r.r tolkien harpercollins still sealed2004

BH

Overpriced, both ...

Well - considering you can still buy it from the stores for £48 I'd say they were pretty stupid to even try and sell it for that much.

Wow! "Very collectible Tolkien first printing" Here is a real rarity; only $150, but unfortunately it also has a reserve. Only $300 if you want to buy it now. :)

http://cgi.ebay.com/The-Silmarillion- ... 7cef&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Never knew A&U also printed in the US ...

Take a look here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Return-of-the-K ... 87ff&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

- particularly at the 'provenance'. Apart from the iffy connection (if any) between Tolkien and this 'Rathbone', - Tolkien is said to have had dealings with Trinity college, and also Hilary college. Since when has there been a Hilary college at Oxford?

Obviously the vendor has mistaken the names of two of Oxford's terms (Michaelmas; Hilary; Trinity) for the names of colleges. It just happens to be a coincidence that there's also a college called Trinity.

But, this whole piece is bunk! And possibly meant to deceive? What do others think?

The photographs look very much like done with care and attention. The copy in it looks excellent. Then why the need to add a provenance with such obvious nonsense in it? Makes the whole thing look fishy.

Wow! Only $2,900 for a paperback copy. I think this has to be the most overpriced Tolkien book I've seen on eBay, especially considering the book's condition. I think perhaps 29 cents is a more reasonable starting bid. http://cgi.ebay.com/Lord-of-the-Rings ... e83b&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14