Edited by The_Antiquarian on 2017-9-16 10:54:14 PM UTC
2017-9-8 6:06:42 PM UTC
As my wife as allowed me to devote some of our leftover disposable income on Tolkien books, I am trying to add one single Silmarillion to add some more beef to my humble, but a growing collection.
If I am looking for the rarity with the ability to hold its value (or be able to see increase in its market value) in the long-term, what would be the choice between the Uncorrected Proof (Houghton M), Salesman Dummy, or Methuen bound copy? I understand that good condition Unc. Proof sold for around $250-280. Does it make sense if the Very Good condition one sells for $700-800? If so, I see that Methuen bound one has been selling for $600-700 while Salesman Dummy has been selling for $400-500. Would I be better off in the longterm if I were to choose Uncorrected Proof although i have to pay additional $100? I need help!
I'd agree with Laurel. I'd just add that no one can tell you what any of these books will be worth in the future. It is a very fickle and fairly small market. The majority of Tolkien books have been going slowly down in value for years, although there are individual editions and specific sales that might defy this. Buy the book you like, and don't treat it as an investment. Books are - for the most part - a terrible investment.
Wow thank you do much for all the attentive answers! The problem is that I love all of them and even find the Uncorrected Proofs and Salesman Dummy copies elegant in their own ways!
Having collected Star Wars action figures and modern & contemporary artworks, I know that Proofs, prototypes, and artist proofs carry a substantial value relative to the regular edition ones. Assuming that all lines of Tolkien books are depreciating in value, wouldn't the Uncirculated Proofs carry the most value amongst the other two because its rarity and accounting for the fact that it is part of the earliest stage of the book production?
I am most inclined to get the Proof, but what I am concerned about is its pricing. I know that the other Proofs in "good" condition with library stamp, tapes, and other flaws were sold for $280 as recent as weeks ago. The one I am trying to acquire is in a "very good" condition, but it is being sold for $750 or so. Is the price reasonable for a proof at this condition? Please help!
The_Antiquarian wrote: Wow thank you do much for all the attentive answers! The problem is that I love all of them and even find the Uncorrected Proofs and Salesman Dummy copies elegant in their own ways!
Having collected Star Wars action figures and modern & contemporary artworks, I know that Proofs, prototypes, and artist proofs carry a substantial value relative to the regular edition ones. Assuming that all lines of Tolkien books are depreciating in value, wouldn't the Uncirculated Proofs carry the most value amongst the other two because its rarity and accounting for the fact that it is part of the earliest stage of the book production?
I am most inclined to get the Proof, but what I am concerned about is its pricing. I know that the other Proofs in "good" condition with library stamp, tapes, and other flaws were sold for $280 as recent as weeks ago. The one I am trying to acquire is in a "very good" condition, but it is being sold for $750 or so. Is the price reasonable for a proof at this condition? Please help!
They aren't "Uncirculated Proofs" in the sense of stamps. They are often just poorly printed (low quality paper, mistakes, bound in heavy coloured paper) copies of the book distributed as advanced review copies. I have a couple (not Silmarillion), and I wouldn't personally pay a lot of money for them (well not for any of the American editions, anyway).
In the case of the Silmarillion or HoME they are clearly going to be worth quite a bit more than the regular edition (based on novelty factor), but bear in mind that the regular editions are worth essentially nothing (£10). I've seen a few US HoME proof copies sell over the years and $250 seems to have been the kind of price (based on memory, which may be flawed).
I would personally get the Methuen edition rather than a US Uncorrected Proof, but you really need to just buy what takes your fancy. I wouldn't personally pay USD 750 for a Silmarillion Proof, but I don't think anyone can really tell you what it is worth -- the market (buyers and sellers) is small, so the price is simply what a buyer and seller happen to agree on on the day. If the money is spare and you don't care too much about ease of resale, go for it. If you think you may need to recover what you spent, then obviously that's a risk.
Whatever you buy, don't forget to share pictures :)
They aren't "Uncirculated Proofs" in the sense of stamps. They are often just poorly printed (low quality paper, mistakes, bound in heavy coloured paper) copies of the book distributed as advanced review copies. I have a couple (not Silmarillion), and I wouldn't personally pay a lot of money for them (well not for any of the American editions, anyway).
In the case of the Silmarillion or HoME they are clearly going to be worth quite a bit more than the regular edition (based on novelty factor), but bear in mind that the regular editions are worth essentially nothing (£10). I've seen a few US HoME proof copies sell over the years and $250 seems to have been the kind of price (based on memory, which may be flawed).
I would personally get the Methuen edition rather than a US Uncorrected Proof, but you really need to just buy what takes your fancy. I wouldn't personally pay USD 750 for a Silmarillion Proof, but I don't think anyone can really tell you what it is worth -- the market (buyers and sellers) is small, so the price is simply what a buyer and seller happen to agree on on the day. If the money is spare and you don't care too much about ease of resale, go for it. If you think you may need to recover what you spent, then obviously that's a risk.
Whatever you buy, don't forget to share pictures :)
You are king amongst men. Thank you very much for the informative post.
I also inquired Pieter, the owner of Tolkienlibrary.com and he said of the similar things. I guess great minds think alike? :)
I decided to purchase the copy bound for Melthuen publication! I am very excited!
Lokki wrote:
Hey guys! Long time no see! I am back, missed you all :)
Somebody put Silmarillion Dummy Copy for sale.
I think that the price is a little bit harsh though.
Thank you for letting me know! I have been watching this copy for some times now, but I do agree that the price is ridiculous at the moment.
There was a US seller selling both a US proof copy & a UK dummy copy a few months back. Both were re-listed multiple times due to failure to sell; both had "Best offer" options so I can only conclude there was very little interest in these copies for the price they were listed at.
I have no note that the proof sold, but the dummy eventually looked like (it's possible a lower price was accepted, not sure) it was sold for Buy-it-now $399 (~£303) in late July; it looked liked a pretty sharp copy.
I'd say that price is pretty typical (possibly a little high) for a dummy copy. The proof was listed for about the same price. Surprised that it didn't sell, but I guess people probably value most US editions of Tolkien lower, regardless of rarity/scarcity.
So there are copies out there. And it's a buyers market, so haggle.
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