Fine Binding Silmarillion

A company that no longer exists, Asprey and Garrard, and I don't believe that they do bookbinding anymore.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garrard_%26_Co

There are lots of bookbinders who can make something like this for you, not a recommendation but this is an example company.

http://www.templebookbinders.co.uk/p/ ... -services/leather-binding

One final point, I expect that the seller at the auction lost money on the book, as the binding would have been more than the selling price.

The binder was indeed Asprey & Garrard. Peter Harrington had it listed on ABE for £1500 the following year, so I suspect they were the winner of this auction. No idea if it sold on ABE or they pulled the listing.

They're still about, Trotter:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asprey#Books
http://www.asprey.com/collection/home/books

BH

Wow thank you very much guys.

I would very much like to add it to my collection, as long as the pricing is reasonable.

As you guys have stated, I could commission others to do the work, but seeing how you guys know the brand "Asprey & Garrard, I am more compelled to pay premium for the name value as well.

By any chance, do you guys know how I can reach Mr. Harrington? I tried searching on abebooks.com, but without much luck.

Peter Harrington has died and his son Pom Harrington owns the business, you can contact them via links on their website, http://www.peterharrington.co.uk/

They also have a bookbinding business, called the Chelsea Bindery, http://www.peterharrington.co.uk/chelsea-bindery

I think they have sold the book as it not listed on their website for sale.

I don't think that I have recommended Asprey & Garrad as a known brand or stated that they add a premium to a rebound book because of the name.

I actually said that the commissioner of the bookbinding probably lost money in this auction sale, because he probably paid a lot more than it was sold for.

As I stated, I don't think that Asprey currently do bookbinding, which seems to be confirmed by looking at the links which Khamûl supplied.

You can pay a lot of money for this, or you can just commission a local binder/leather worker to do it relatively cheaply with a custom design of your choice. Leather, gilt, embossing, etc.

Check Etsy and similar sites, you’ll be surprised at the amount of talent freelancers have.

Just food for thought :)

The_Antiquarian, I know nothing about Asprey & Garrard beyond what I've posted. I'm merely stating the facts about this particular book as I see it.

I agree with Eorl. "Fine bindings", unless you're after a copy specifically bound by a particular famous bookbinder, are probably better (certainly to begin with) commissioned from someone cheaper &/or perhaps local. Probably a more enjoyable experience.

BH

Just to add to the sentiment. I think re-binding should definitely be done for personal enjoyment; I suspect that the cost of the rebinding is never recouped if you want to sell later on. A key part of this is that what person A has chosen to commission is unlikely to be exactly what person B wants, and in the case of a Silmarillion 1st, a £10 book, so one is going to pay a permium for an existing rebind if they can just go out and have someone do a rebind that suits their personal tastes more perfectly.

I personally really liked this one from a few years back:

http://www.tolkienlibrary.com/tolkien-book-store/000941.htm

Not sure if David Miller had the binding commissioned for that one or if he just resold it, but I always felt it was a very nice job.

Hello friends, thank you all for the help!