I can't decide if this is deception or stupidity of the highest order from 1973lee1973:
eBay Item #141656456501
Clearly this is 2010 Print-on-demand HarperCollins edition. One would expect a guy who's been selling Tolkien books on eBay for nearly a decade to spot this...

The generic description is also hysterically vague:

VERY SOUGHT AFTER AND COLLECTABLE
Hardback Edition of THE PEOPLES OF MIDDLE EARTH
(being book 12 in The History of Middle Earth)
rarely seen for sale
worthy of any collection
and an absolute must for any collector
------
excellent condition, not price clipped, no inscriptions - see pics for further illustration of condition

I am selling all 12 books in the History Of Middle Earth series

would make an excellent addition to any collector / fans collection

worth much more than the asking price

low starting price, this value only likely to increase with the film release.

BH

A willingness to let the customer deceive themselves, IMHO. Stops short of deception, as such, but still extremely bad form.

On a side note, is it just me or is it really a bit silly to have a number line "1" on a POD title - when does a "new printing" get issued? As opposed to a new edition, or every copy of the book being numbered which would actually be pretty cool.

Urulöké wrote:
On a side note, is it just me or is it really a bit silly to have a number line "1" on a POD title - when does a "new printing" get issued? As opposed to a new edition, or every copy of the book being numbered which would actually be pretty cool.

I've often thought the same thing. Makes no sense at all to have a numberline on a POD. I like the one on the first set of Indexes that is just a mass of randomly over-typed characters. At least that really does denote the first print, even if accidentally!

For what it is worth, the communications with the seller

Me:
"I think you should make it abundantly clear in the auction that this is the current Print on Demand edition (which can be purchased direct from HarperCollins for 50 pounds). Your price and description ("a rare chance", etc) seem designed to imply that this is the rarer and more valuable 1996 edition, whereas it isn't rare, and it isn't valuable. Salesmanship is one thing, but this feels like a dishonest auction to me, if not technically in contravention of any rules"


Reply:
"Hi, I have included a hi-res picture of the copywrite page. Both my listing and e-bay stress that any potential buyer should look at any photos as these form part of the description. The image clearly shows the year of print for all to see - after all how else did you see it? To me this seems pretty obvious. Though I have to admit I wasn't aware of any Print on Demand editions as I obtained the book as part of a set. I'm 100% positive that the listing does NOT contravene any E-bay policy and that with an image CLEARLY showing the print etc. I also don't see how this could be considered dishonest? It does clearly show the dates. does it not?
Thanks for the info. though.
Lee"


My Reply to him:
The reason I think it is somewhat dishonest is that a low value book that is currently available brand new (see tolkien.co.uk) is being passed off as a high-value book, collectible book. You have been selling Tolkien books long enough to know the difference, IMHO. Anyway, you must do what you must do, I guess.

For what it is worth, I don't think you are breaching any eBay policy, but it isn't something I would do, personally.

And further reply back:

"Hi, I wasn't even aware of the website tolkien.co.uk or the availability of those books. Useful info for which I am grateful. I rarely (in fact it's safe to say never) venture beyond e-bay! Of course I'm aware first impressions fetch more, I have amended my listings! Though still not reduced the prices by as much as you might approve of, they are at least lower and any hint of them being anything other than what they are toned down now that I am aware of their true availability. Thanks again, Lee"


So hopefully a reasonable result on the eBay Policing, and benefit of doubt can be given to seller.

Note (for posterity) that the seller did not add any text to the listing identifying the book as being a POD, and reduced the price to GBP 119, still two and a half times the price the book is currently available new. Some words were removed, however.

Benefit of doubt? Come on Stu, you've seen this seller's other listings. The kindest thing than one could say is: he's just another bookseller who knows nothing (by his own admission) about what he's selling. None of this would matter if it weren't for that price. It's clearly a nod to the value of the 1996 edition.

BH

EDIT: He's also got a 1996 edition listed, so it's not like he can't compare the two:
eBay Item #141656503792

And so someone falls into the trap...
eBay Item #141656454166

BH

Khamûl wrote:
Benefit of doubt? Come on Stu, you've seen this seller's other listings. The kindest thing than one could say is: he's just another bookseller who knows nothing (by his own admission) about what he's selling. None of this would matter if it weren't for that price. It's clearly a nod to the value of the 1996 edition.

BH

EDIT: He's also got a 1996 edition listed, so it's not like he can't compare the two:
eBay Item #141656503792

I don't disagree with you. When I said benefit of the doubt, I thought he was going to update the text of his listing -- which he has not done so far as I can tell, other than lowering his price and removing a couple of words. I still consider the listing to be bad form. I've updated my post (above) to reflect the full "conversation". I agree with you about it being a nod to the price of the 1996 edition - that was my first thought when I saw he had both up and the small price differential.

The problem is that no eBay rules are being contravened, and the pictures are there for a buyer to see it is the POD version. Clearly, it appears to be an attempt to lead the potential buyer into jumping to the conclusion that it is a rarer, earlier copy, but there are no specific words to that effect, so the buyer will have no comeback via eBay.

I've never liked this seller's auctions to be honest. There often seems to be something about them that I find a bit "off".

Early fifties?
eBay Item #141660173421

Map of the shires done on what looks like to be parchment in the early fifties..I have had this map for many years now, time to let it go to someone who will appreciate it..
29" x 22"..

Sounds unlikely...

BH

What a great map, few issues if you are thinking of buying this.

Have a look at Bree