Sorry,

"2nd edition, 1961 13th overall impression with 13th impression jacket. Lovely book and jacket. No marks on book, binding tight , slight fading/darkening to book spine. Jacket is nice, unclipped, paper loss to spine ends, slight darkening to spine colors and edges. Not noticeable in its protective mylar (sorry about the flash on the mylar). These 2nd editions are quite rare compared to the later 1966, 3rd editions where tens of thousands more copies were printed due to the popularity of the Lord of the Rings paperback release in the US. Please ask for photos. Tolkien specialist. "

More photos should be provided.

Second Editions are rare (1951-1959 copies), but like most books it is the earlier copies that are rare.

This is a later copy and over-priced with a bad dust-jacket, and only one picture

eBay Item #261214709158

Stu wrote:
Well, I tend to think that those release party bookplates were always intended to be put into copies of CoH, so I think they do add value to the intended recipient books as they have an intended relationship.

I have a UK hardback Farmer Giles of Ham from 1972 with a label stuck into it signed by Pauline Baynes, the self-adhesive label was designed to go into one of her illustrated books, and they picked this one (would have preferred first printing of Tom Bombadil or Farmer Giles)

I am not a fan, like Stu of tipped-in signatures, I feel that these original items (letters, books, etc) should be left as they were and not mutilated to put signatures into books.

I am not a fan, like Stu of tipped-in signatures, I feel that these original items (letters, books, etc) should be left as they were and not mutilated to put signatures into books.

I agree. I think there is a difference, though, between a flat signature ("please sign this index card I have handy") that is essentially a bookplate without adhesive, and a letter or book that has been modified (and essentially had all value destroyed) to "sophisticate" a book by combining the two.

They are both "sophistications" (flat signatures or cut ones). In fact, technically, a bookplate is a sophistication too, just one that is broadly accepted in most situations. My personal preference is to only have/collect books with signed bookplates tipped in by the publisher or as intended by the publisher.

I have some bookplates coming to me from a modern author. I will keep them with my books of his, but not adhere them - just loosely laid in. I think that is best, personally, for this situation as it preserves the association between "the author was here" and the separation of "but not with this exact book".

I'm sure I have seen this 'bargain' before.

"The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - with the Rare Original Dustjacket"

eBay Item #380698931067

I broadly agree.

The CoH bookplates are a slightly troublesome example though. These were pre-signed but actually stuck in by the publisher (as has been said) at the point of purchase. Nobody (although, I'm sure there may have been one or two) received these signed bookplates loose with the book they purchased in Piccadilly, London on publication day. Sophistication, maybe; but certainly of publisher origin, & not some later cobbled together cut-letter + book nonsense. So, I certainly agree these belong together. The bookplate certainly doesn't belong in any other book.

That said, I think it's really splitting hairs, for example, to suggest Christopher signing a pile of loose sheets in the South of France that would later be bound into a completed book (i.e. the signed limitation pages of all "super" deluxe editions), is really that different from him signing a little sticky piece of paper, as with CoH. These seem more legitimate, but CT certainly never had a book in hand. A 1977 Silmarillion flat-signed at Museum St. prior to its release is, on the other hand, a proper signed book.

BH

Going off topic a bit, but why the phrase, "flat-signed"? What does it actually *mean*?

- wellinghall

Eh, I'm actually totally misusing the term. I believe "flat-signed" actually means the author signs their name & nothing else e.g. without a dedication. It doesn't really have anything to do with having signed the book itself, in person.

BH

This brings back bad memories of a certain ebay seller (flatsigned), we had some dealings with him on the forum

Here is his convoluted description of the phrase, that he modestly claims to have invented.

"The word FlatSigned, whether on books or any other item, means that the autograph is an original (no facsimile/photocopy, no machine/auto-pen written, no stamped or otherwise tooled), hand-signed example of the autograph which is not personalized (can have a date, additional words such as "Congratulations" or "Thanks for a wonderful evening", etc.), to an individual including the person obtaining the autograph.

Put more simply, FlatSigned means:
A hand-signed, original autograph which is not personalized such as:
"To Billy Bob, John Grisham."
FLATSIGNED EXAMPLE:"Thank you for a great evening, John Grisham May 30, 2010
NON-FLATSIGNED EXAMPLE: "To Billy, thank you for all! John Grisham May 30, 2010
Warmest Regards,
Tim Miller
Founder"

I would rather not use this phrase, but say that it was signed in person by the individual.

By all accounts Stephen King coined the phrase. I've no idea if that's internet twaddle or based on fact though...

BH

I have to blame Peter Jackson for this madness

It is price-clipped and has marks from sticky-tape on the book.

eBay Item #400550804814

Thank you ebay for pointing out that the seller is away, up and until 4 days ago (this is the 15th August 2013).