And the description is inaccurate. If it's a first printing of the A&U one-volume paperback (the ‘Pauline Baynes edition’) it may be a first British paperback edition, but the first paperback edition is the Ace ‘pirate’ of 1965. And it may be a first English one-volume edition, the first one-volume edition was the Dutch one of 1965.

TOLKIEN: THE HOBBIT 70th Anni Rare SLIPCASED HB EDITION

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TOLKIEN-THE-HOB ... ks_UK?hash=item20adf900e1

I think this seller must use a different dictionary definition of "rare" to me, as I can not think of any circumstance that the accepted dictionary definition fits this item or come to think of it most of the other items listed as "rare" on ebay.

'Rare' is one over-used and frequently inaccurate description. Another is 'vintage', or sometimes 'early' when applied to a copy of The Hobbit produced in the 1970s.

This one is great, it states that it has been "viewed by experts", it will be now. The experts did not spot the incorrect date, these paperbacks were not issued until 1976.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LORD-OF-THE-RIN ... oks_2?hash=item3ca8133677

H'm. I bought a set like these, but without box and in slightly worse condition last year in Amsterdam, for about 25 Euros. Of course this set will be worth a bit more, but ten times as much?!

What's wrong with the description of this item?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 82100&_trksid=p2759.l1259

garm wrote:
What's wrong with the description of this item?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 82100&_trksid=p2759.l1259

I sent them an email via eBay having being galled by this section of the description of the item and garm's point "What's wrong with the description of this item?" and then having the cheek to put the following in the listing.

"Purchase with confidence ~ all books, ABA gradings, and descriptions are rendered the care of a genuine bibliophile. Don't miss this opportunity to obtain this much sought after and increasingly Scarce True UK First Edition for your collection!!!"

Dear dragoonbook,

I notice in the description of this item you refer to it as a "True UK First Edition". If you look at the second picture that you have posted and the fifth line from the top it states "Second Edition (fifth impression) 1951". The first four impressions of the book are first editions, this copy is a second edition as stated.
Regards Andrew

and they replied

Hello,

Thanks for your email. We will take this item down and relist it
properly. We apologize for our error.

Sincerely,

Tammy Brooks
Customer Service Manager, Dragoon Books

They did pull the auction.

Ah! a result. Well done, trotter, and Dragoon Books.

One for garm

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1st-ed-LORD-OF- ... tible?hash=item5ad5b7208f

Good grief!

- wellinghall