By The_Antiquarian
Just can't stay away

LOTR Blue Ink Signature

7 Mar, 2020
2020-3-7 4:46:44 PM UTC

Greetings again!

I have asked for authenticity on many signatures. Hopefully this turns out to be true.

It is sold by Shapero Rare Books and it is signed on the Lord of the Rings Deluxe set.
The description of the listing is as follows;

This copy is inscribed 'Signed for Lucy Tucker J.R.R. Tolkien' on the title-page of vol. I. Lucy Tucker worked at the time in the warehouse of Unwins, before later becoming secretary to Rayner Unwin; the book was signed for her during a rare visit from Tolkien to his publisher in 1969 to help promote the first paperback edition of The Lord of the Rings. With a letter of provenance.

I understand that Tolkien rarely signed a book in blue ink.

Do you guys think this signature is authentic?

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The_Antiquarian
Just can't stay away

7 Mar, 2020
2020-3-7 5:17:28 PM UTC

Another authentic signature in blue for reference;

https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lo ... ab-41ed-b985-b5c9eb1fe3d0

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Aelfwine

8 Mar, 2020
2020-3-8 1:44:56 AM UTC

"I understand that Tolkien rarely signed a book in blue ink."

My own signed copy of Lord of the Rings, wth impeccable provenance, is in blue ink. I think that claim needs to be laid to rest.

My copy also says, "Signed for ", so that jibes.

The "J" in your signature is unusual, but on the whole it strikes me as authentic.

Carl

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Stu

8 Mar, 2020
2020-3-8 1:59:34 AM UTC

Aelfwine wrote:
"I understand that Tolkien rarely signed a book in blue ink."

My own signed copy of Lord of the Rings, wth impeccable provenance, is in blue ink. I think that claim needs to be laid to rest.

My copy also says, "Signed for ", so that jibes.

The "J" in your signature is unusual, but on the whole it strikes me as authentic.

Carl

Any idea where the "rarely in blue" idea comes from? I don't think I had heard it before (though I think the bulk of signatures that I have seen are indeed black).

Perhaps it comes by incorrectly extrapolating the known "Dr Higgins" (blue) fakes. They may have been the most common blue purported Tolkien autographs that most people might have encountered?

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Aelfwine

8 Mar, 2020
2020-3-8 2:20:40 AM UTC

"Any idea where the "rarely in blue" idea comes from?"

Nope.

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Aelfwine

8 Mar, 2020
2020-3-8 2:22:58 AM UTC

And even if "rarely" is/were true, it doesn't mean "never".

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Stu

8 Mar, 2020
2020-3-8 3:10:02 AM UTC

Aelfwine wrote:
And even if "rarely" is/were true, it doesn't mean "never".

Indeed, I can't imagine him refusing to sign an item based on the lack of an appropriate black pen being provided!

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Urulókë

8 Mar, 2020
2020-3-8 3:32:14 AM UTC

I am guessing that the blue forgeries from a few years ago have scared everyone off, but agree that the present samples (especially with a few extra words thrown in to look at more handwriting) look fine to me.

Here is a good place to start if you want to read a bit of history for the "Dr. Higgins" mess...

https://www.tolkienguide.com/modules/n ... t_id=10904#forumpost10904

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The_Antiquarian
Just can't stay away

8 Mar, 2020
2020-3-8 4:12:04 PM UTC

Hello everyone,

Thank you very much for all your thoughtful responses. Actually, I read about possibility of signatures in blue being more susceptible to forgery from TCG here a while ago. I can't find the posting now, but I am relieved to know that I was wrong!

As for the signed book, it was sold at New York Book Fair yesterday.

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galbus

8 Mar, 2020
2020-3-8 8:51:18 PM UTC

Can I ask if you know for how much?

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LOTR Blue Ink Signature

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