11 Feb, 2008
2008-2-11 5:51:32 AM UTC
It's very sad that people bid on these items
Ebay auctionDior
11 Feb, 2008
2008-2-11 2:38:52 PM UTC
After signing this copy, Tolkien might have taken a quick glance at the books Balantine had published, and wondered (amongst other things) when he finished The Silmarillion?; what The Histories of Middle-earth was?; and why he didn't finish those Unfinished Tales before publishing them?...
11 Feb, 2008
2008-2-11 2:44:58 PM UTC
I noticed these books yesterday. I can't believe that they actually are trying to sell two of them! It is really a pathetic forgery too. I agree that it is sad to see people actually bidding on these. Funny, though, to read things like:
"THIS BOOK WAS FOUND AT A BOOK SALE AND WAS I EVER SURPRISED TO SEE THE AUTHOR'S SIGNATURE INSIDE!"
11 Feb, 2008
2008-2-11 4:58:11 PM UTC
On Feb-11-08 at 07:38:52 PST, seller added the following information:
SORRY GUYS, I HAVE JUST BEEN INFORMED THAT J.R.R. TOLKIEN DIED BEFORE THIS BOOK WAS PUBLISHED!!!!!! THIS MUST BE A COPY OF HIS SIGNATURE, PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. I THOUGHT I HAD FOUND A REAL TREASURE AT THAT BOOK SALE WHERE I FOUND THIS BOOK.
Tolkien moved into publishing (his own signature) in the 1980's after finishing (to his own personal bewilderment) The Silmarillion...
11 Feb, 2008
2008-2-11 4:59:17 PM UTC
The seller ended this listing early because of a forgery in the listing.
11 Feb, 2008
2008-2-11 6:50:14 PM UTC
I dropped a note to the seller earlier today, and she was very gracious in her response and quickly pulled the listing. Just a case of innocent excitement without research I guess.
I wouldn't be surprised if the book gets back on eBay sooner or later when someone else sees the signature and the cycle repeats.
12 Feb, 2008
2008-2-12 6:13:12 AM UTC
I'm glad that it is just a simple mistake on the sellers part, but I am still amazed that buyers don't do any homewor before bidding.
Dior
17 Feb, 2008
2008-2-17 9:18:19 AM UTC
Sorry, buyers doing homework? What about sellers? Ebay seems to be teaming with sellers who are operating at a level below that of the aforementioned car boot sale. Tolkien has to be one of the best known fantasy writers of our time. What excuse could you possibly have, with access to the internet, for not looking up when the author died? No excuse... but pretty funny none the less
.
BH
17 Feb, 2008
2008-2-17 10:05:03 AM UTC
I agree that sellers have a responsibilty to check their items before putting it up for sale......but it always amazes me that people are willing to part with their money without knowing about what they are bidding on
Each to their own I guess.
Dior
17 Feb, 2008
2008-2-17 10:40:06 AM UTC
I'm sure someone somewhere out there collects (or studies) forgeries mind you. There was that pb Hobbit that came up a while back that the seller said had been signed by one of the Tolkiens. Someone on this forum (I think) suggested it might have been John Tolkien. But again, people bid on it; and nobody had a damn clue what it was.
BH
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