Have a look at this very long thread from another part of the forum and you'll see a lot about the problem with forged Tolkien signatures.

https://www.tolkienguide.com/modules/n ... hp?topic_id=1148&forum=18

If I remember rightly the first post was from a seller called classicart_uk and cavorite51 sells a lot of classicart_uk items.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Return-King-2nd-Ed ... tible&hash=item2eae272ab0

Well I don't think anyone here is qualified to argue with an Abebooks valuation

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Silmarillion-Tr ... ks_UK&hash=item3caf0dcd45

and of course, I didn't know this but

This book will only ever increase in value. If you take it to a tolkein convention, of which there are many up and down the country each year, you can usually get them signed by Christopher Tolkein, This almost automatically doubles the value.

Ah, yes - Christopher Tolkein. I've seen him doubling the values of many books at the tolkein conventions I've attended, up and down the country.

I have loads of Silmarillion's that Mr Tolkein could sign, does he make house calls when not attending conventions.

Hmm - come to think of it, I have several books signed by Christopher - the real Christopher, that is. Not one of them cost anything like the price being asked here for an unsigned piece!

sorry couldnt resist pointing out to seller his 'rubbish' statements.
Now amended although still feels he will get the price. If he does I will be selling mine !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Laurel stated

sorry couldnt resist pointing out to seller his 'rubbish' statements. Now amended although still feels he will get the price. If he does I will be selling mine !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't think you will be selling your copy

This listing has ended

and he didn't get the abebooks valuation

O no
and i had mine all ready to sell
i must contact abe books and complain !

I see the following is up for sale again. Is there no responsibility on the seller to produce some indication of the authenticity of an item like this? Or does one simply state that it is "highly speculative" and then pass off any rubbish as potentially valuable?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Signed-J-R-R-Tolki ... tible&hash=item2eae82c4d3

Or does one simply state that it is "highly speculative" and then pass off any rubbish as potentially valuable?

I think you have hit the nail on the head. Welcome to eBay, right? Just like a garage sale, flea market, boot-sale, etc. Buyer needs to beware at all times, and do some research. If a deal is too good to be true, it probably isn't true.