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Introduction
Thank you for investing your time in this little guide. I hope it will enhance your Tolkien collecting experience, save you time and help you to make better choices. Many people consider their Tolkien book collecting just a hobby, but for most it’s very much a paying hobby. I financed my first collection by re-selling spare copies. If you are old enough and lucky enough to have begun collecting early editions before the Peter Jackson films came out you will have acquired some real bargains given current valuations. Tolkien early editions and printings are easy to identify, but prices do very widely so it can be tricky knowing what to pay for a particular copy.
I have been a specialist Tolkien dealer for twenty-five years and was a private collector before that. I am not an antiquarian book or literature expert; I only know Tolkien books as a personal reading passion. I think I know more than most dealers because I have specialised so narrowly and have handled thousands of copies myself. There were no other full-time specialist Tolkien dealers when I started, none now either, but there are dozens of ‘startups’ with many general dealers using Tolkien books focus as loss leaders. I am not a broker, I have dozens of rare editions in stock ready to buy. I do sell some books for customers on consignment. At the core of my business is a true passion for the author and the fantasy genre. I am a fan and completely open and willing to discuss collecting and the works themselves. This guide is my way sharing what I have learned.
Please feel free to call me or email your own tips, anecdotes and suggestions so I can improve future editions.