Amazon is a really, really poor source of information on anything to do with books. I wouldn't pay much attention to the prices people are asking (no evidence they're selling these, is there?) for copies on listings there.

I did see a number of them sell in the past (sealed fine copies) in the £250-£350 range. One I listed sold at 350 Euro.

Here is a picture from HarperCollins of Alan Lee signing the dedication pages for the Deluxe Hobbit Sketchbook, 2 copies on the desk, only 2998 to go. The gentleman on the left is Chris Smith, Tolkien editor at HarperCollins.

Very cool - and I understand the remarks about the scarcity of Alan's signature - I guess it's sort of more for fans than those collecting, and/or re-sell later (Hey I have signed copy, cool!)

Also, I might be getting the positions mixed up, isn't D. Brawn in that position??

insurrbution wrote:
(Hey I have signed copy, cool!)

Also, I might be getting the positions mixed up, isn't D. Brawn in that position??

As regards the signature then soon 3000 more will have a signed copy.

It is Chris Smith, Tolkien editor at HarperCollins in the picture.

Right thanks for that, David Brawn is the "publishing director" so not the same position at all.

insurrbution wrote:
Right thanks for that, David Brawn is the "publishing director" so not the same position at all.

And that is not David Brawn in the photo, but Chris Smith

insurrbution wrote:
Very cool - and I understand the remarks about the scarcity of Alan's signature - I guess it's sort of more for fans than those collecting, and/or re-sell later (Hey I have signed copy, cool!)

Also, I might be getting the positions mixed up, isn't D. Brawn in that position??

I don't see "collectors" and "fans" as being a different group of people. I'm undoubtedly a collector (albeit not an active one) AND a fan. "Mass produced" signatures just don't do it for me - the book it is on is either appealing or not appealing, and the signature doesn't really change that. That said, I'm pretty much done collecting at this point, and attitudes and tastes change over time. I may not have always felt this way.

Oh of course collectors are fans. Maybe I mis-worded mself or am going at opposite ends of the spectrum here.

I'm sure it's obvious, but - I wasn't stating that collector's aren't fans.

Amazon Germany has now listed this at €52.83