I certainly can do a better job with the guidelines for the site (though the Terms of Use link is on the bottom of every single page). We try to mention them as often as necessary to remind people that they exist and generally we are pretty flexible. There's no ban on images, gifs or memes, but more than half the moderator team felt the image itself was disrespectful rather than humorous. Easily could be a misunderstanding, so all we did was remove the image.

The "respectful" request was after (all of us on this site) being called goobers by him over on reddit (you can see it in the screencap).

Goober is a word you'd use to describe a goofy person who is kind of silly or foolish or at least acting that way. You'll see it often used in a friendly or endearing way rather than as an insult. But it can be used as an insult if someone wants to.^{https://grammarist.com/interesting-words/goober/[1]}

Maybe he means it endearingly, but it makes me feel he thinks we are silly and foolish ("in a good way"?).

I know he's not a Tolkien collector, and has no long term interest in this community, and I am glad he reached out for help (on Reddit, here, and likely elsewhere) and I really want the best for him and the collection - whatever he decides to do with it. But dealing with that collection is nothing silly or foolish.

I've had it pointed out that you youngsters (and/or geographically distant people) use the word "goober" very differently than my ancient self, so retroactively I am non-offended, and please carry on, my apologies.

Hello everyone, so a few things that I want to address. First of all, my apologies to the people on this site that were offended that I referred to them “Goobers”. This term can have many meanings, most of which are endearing and light hearted. I could comfortably call my Mom a goober while she’s armed with a wooden spoon and feel no danger at all if that gives you the idea. Goober very rarely can be used as an insult, a very weak insult at best. I appreciate some of y’all that saw it as a fun and silly word and even came out to defend me. Plus, I am quite aware that there are eyes on both Reddit and TCG. Why would I insult the people that have been helping me with this huge project, you know? I do think to those that had an issue with the word, messaging me privately would of been the best course of action instead of harboring assumed resentment to the point a silly picture of someone spiting out cereal was perceived as offensive. I invite anyone who still feels negatively about the word and image to message me now and explain so I can understand how I can do better and be more respectful. As a student pursing my Psychology Major, I do actually care about everyones feelings and well being.

Second, I know y’all may see me as unprofessional with the way I interact on these forms. I promise you, in email and one on one professional interactions, you’ll see a much different tone, similar to how I am talking right now. In my opinion, while in these public forms, as long as i’m respectful to everyone here and avoid being obscenely obnoxious, I believe at worst, my own “personality” should at least be tolerated. I believe that life shouldn’t be taken too seriously to the point that even simple small interactions with strangers should be devoid of humor and fun. I get it, i’m not just a fish out of water here, I’m more like a monkey in the ocean. I will not judge how y’all speak on these forums and I hope you’ll provide me with the same tolerance. Everyone here is incredibly different to the people I interact on a day to day basis, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with being different, lets embrace that fact! To the people welcoming me in this community, I have nothing but love and respect for y’all and thank you for the hospitality.

Lastly, I get it’s weird having someone so out of this community being in the spot light right now. I am not a Tolkien fan unfortunately, I’d much rather watch anime or be at the gym, but in no way do I look at any of you less for your interests and hobbies. I’am here for one sole reason and appreciate everyone here who is choosing to help a stranger who they barely have anything in common, especially in vernacular. I do feel a sect of some of y’all see me as annoying or ignorant and to those, I can’t help you with your unjustified bitterness towards a human you barley know. If you have any issues with me, feel free to message me and call me out. I’m sure some of you people would be a treat to talk to about their life and expansive wisdom. I actually enjoyed messaging a few of y’all already, even though it was mostly related to books. In the mean time, get used to me because I’ll be here for a while, and I know I’m making this place much more interesting for you all. 😎

-Josh

I think everyone here really wants to help you not just in this personally trying time, but as people passionate about type of things in the treasure trove you have inherited. Ensuring these rare and highly collectable items get the proper treatment, and that you are in the best possible position for any future negotiation/action with whoever gets to handle these is, I believe, the default attitude.

I commented elsewhere that this event was like finding a Picasso in your dad's loft. But given your interests, it might be more like finding some original sketches by Osamu Tezuka for the first issue Astroboy in 1952, or a mint collection of the entire first run of that manga—except 20 bookcases worth of just as amazing material.

Sorry that there was a miscommunication, I'm sure we can all move past it.

Josh,
I am probably the eldest person here, but also new to this forum - having followed you up here from Reddit, and I too am learning how to get around this forum. As you obviously know, mistakes can and will happen when learning anything new.

But, I want to publicly thank you for being so accepting of some of our more idiosyncratic affectations when it comes to our devotion to Tolkien. I've been a fanatic since 1964 - long before you were born - and I am in awe of your Holy Grail of not only Collectors but of Academics, and only want the Collection to be placed well for your benefit as well as for the rest of the Community.

As Senior Administrator for the International Network, I have academic contacts world-wide, and if you believe that any of those people may be of any help, please do not hesitate to call on me for information and introductions.

-Becky

Hey everyone, Sorry if I go a little MIA. Hopefully this post will make up for it. Book shelf is double stacked so there is more hidden.

Really a delight to see all of this in one place. Don't worry about going missing - Real Life calls!

Most of what is visible here is more common, but still of great interest - especially to 'Specialists;' people who only collect The Hobbit, for example. But there are the interesting oddities, like the PB Annotated Hobbit, and if such jewels exist on the front it would be equally interesting to know what is behind.

Inventory is key. Maybe you could get help from your local public library, ie. a volunteer who would be able to help you? I would jump at the chance, but I'm half a world away.

Hey all, Quick little post, I found a lot of these old booklets near where my Father had the “Songs of Philologist”, let me know if anything is of significance!
I might post something pretty interesting tonight. I’m really sorry about to everyone I haven’t responded yet in email, life’s been hectic, I got summer classes starting soon too and I realized I need to treat this project more as a second job and invest more time. Thank you and appreciate yalls insight and help as usual!

Sorry, I forgot a few more.

How do I delete the last post, I just realized those aren’t even Tolkien?