SHIPPING IN COVID TIMES: Please note that at this time, the post office is VERY VERY slow and if you need this by a specific time, you'll need to select Priority Mail or it may take a couple weeks or longer to get there. I know it's more expensive, but it's the only way to insure a quick delivery...

THE HOBBIT COLLECTOR'S EDITION
Back in Print!





by J.R.R. Tolkien

In a hole in the ground, lived a hobbit... And so the story began!

One of my best selling editions, offered here is the slipcased Collector's Edition of The Hobbit, first printed in 1973, still sealed in shrinkwrap.The Collector's Edition of The Hobbit met with instant critical acclaim when published and in 1973, and this supposedly limited edition was so popular, it apparently became limited to how ever many they could print! As shown here, an iteration is still being printed today, almost 38 years later, making it obviously highly desirable, but not so limited, until they actually stop printing them, which given the way of the eReader may be any time soon.

    Many people selling this book, who don't know any better are claiming it as printed in 1966. In point of fact, the copyright IS 1966 for the text, but this book was not released until 1973 and if you look at the copyright page, you will note the LOC (Library Of Congress) number of 73-8769. The 73 indicates the first year of printing, so a 1966 copy is a fabrication of someone's imagination. The only legitimate reference to 1966 is that it follows the original copyright text of the Second Authorized Edition from 1966, of which this book's text follows.
Bound with green leather and gold embellishments to the spine and cover and set in a leather slipcase, this copy also features Tolkien's own color illustrations. Here are four....









Early printings of this book are rarely found, especially any printing under 10, and your chances of finding one any time soon are quite slim, although as of this writing I do have a few available. Currently, new copies are up to about the 40th or so printings...

If you are you are a serious collector, looking for an early copy, this is not it. If however, you are looking for a nice edition for yourself or as a gift, this would make an excellent choice! A physical description follows...

To see all of the Tolkien items I am selling whether on sale or not, CLICK HERE!!

    To see all of the other SciFi, Fantasy & Horror books I have listed so far, CLICK HERE or go to the ADVANCED SEARCH in eBay and copy and paste the word ISHKABIBEL into the eBay search box, and then check the SEARCH TITLE AND DESCRIPTIONS box. Buy 3 and I'll ship 'em for FREE (within the USA via media mail!) Sets of multiples count as one.

    TO GET THE FREE SHIPPING DO NOT automatically pay. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW! If you don't I can't go back and fix it later! Why not look now?!

    To see all of my CHILDREN'S BOOKS listed so far, CLICK HERE or go to the ADVANCED SEARCH in eBay and copy and paste the word YABADABADOODLE into the eBay search box, and then check the SEARCH TITLE AND DESCRIPTIONS box.
SPECIAL OFFER: This is one of MANY GIFT EDITIONS I am selling including special editions of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings books. If you buy any combination of 3, I will ship them all free of postage via media mail, anywhere in the USA!NOTE: I will be on vacation from May 28th THROUGH June 7th. I will have sporadic internet access at best and limited ability to answer most questions. During that time, I will be unable to ship merchandise, obviously. Unless I can get to them, combined item invoices will have to wait until I return as will all orders paid for while I am away, but as in the past, I promise to respond and send out all paid orders immediately upon my return. Until then and after, it's business as usual!

    To see all the gift editions that qualify, CLICK HERE or go to the ADVANCED SEARCH in eBay and copy and paste the word ALANSGIFTEDITIONS into the eBay search box, and then check the SEARCH TITLE AND DESCRIPTIONS box.

    TO GET THE FREE SHIPPING, FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW! If you don't, I can't go back and fix it later!

For any of the other hundreds of items I have available use the link at the bottom of the page. And if you have any requests, by all means, send me an email; if I have it, I'll list it right away for you (no off eBay sales...)

About Me & This Item...

I have been collecting books (especially Tolkien-related)and music for over 35 years and have amassed an enormous library. I do not subscribe to "grading" as it is so subjective and most of the "graders" truly have no clue! Therefore I'll simply describe things in normal English!

    *This is a brand new and unread leatherbound hardcover book with slipcase instead of a dust jacket, as issued. Would make an excellent gift idea! Enjoy...
A FEW WORDS ON TOLKIEN COLLECTIBILITY...I have been collecting Tolkien books for over 30 years and it really galls me to find people selling items for ridiculous prices claiming they are "rare" or "highly collectible"; and what's worse is, naive people are paying it~! The fact is, there are relatively few "RARE" Tolkien items on eBay and most of the stuff claimed as such, just isn't. Granted, some may be hard to find, but not rare. In order to be a VALUABLE collectible, the books need to be immaculate or close to it, a scarce or extremely early printing of an early edition and if it comes with a dust jacket, that too should be close to fine. Otherwise, they are just common items not worth much, but people are paying gobs of cash, caught up in the frenzy.

Before you pay high bucks on a RARE or COLLECTIBLE edition, ask questions and demand to see a picture. Even though the copyright may say 1966 for example, it can still be a 1988 or even 1997 printing, but the copyright was last renewed in 1966 so it is being sold as such. I've even seen 1960's paperback copyright being sold for unreal prices, and they are actually a 23rd or such printings from the 70's and 1966 Copyright books that are printed in 1999 with that information conveniently left out! I don't believe all sellers are trying to be dishonest, some just don't know any better... Please be careful and bid wisely. If you have any questions regarding it's authenticity or collectibility, check it out and be certain you are bidding on what you THINK you are bidding on.

For over a decade, I have sold tens of thousands of items on eBay and have only received a handful of complaints about the accuracy in my descriptions. Having met eBay standards for excellence in trading, you may bid with confidence knowing you will get what you THINK you are bidding on! Please check my feedback. It is a record I am very proud of...

I have LOTS of music items, and tons of books available for purchase. Please check my other offerings to see if there is anything else you might be interested in for combined shipping. There are links above and below and why not bookmark my site to make it easier to find at a later date!



PAYMENT TERMS: Pretty simple. Pay me, I send it, BUT ONLY TO A REGISTERED ADDRESS! Please do not ask to have it sent to an alternate location as I won't be able to comply per eBay policy. See below..

Why Are My Shipping & Handling Costs a Bit Higher than Other Sellers? Please Read on...

GUARANTEED DELIVERY OR YOUR MONEY BACK!
I really DO CARE about when and how your product gets to you. Because the post office is so incredibly inept, I ONLY SHIP domestic packages INSURED, which is AUTOMATICALLY INCLUDED in the shipping cost, and that is not free as the post office charges for it. If your parcel gets lost OR damaged in freight, your item will be replaced if one is available OR you will be completely refunded!

IMPORTANT MONEY SAVING TIP! If you are buying more than one of my items and would like to SAVE MONEY by COMBINING SHIPPING costs, I will be happy to do so, but eBay has now made it more difficult to get discounts by confusing people with "Buy it Now" and "Add to Cart" options on non-auction style pages. If you are buying one item from a seller use the Buy it Now. BUT IF YOU WANT COMBINED or FREE SHIPPING, DO NOT USE THE BUY IT NOW button! Instead, select ADD TO CART. Then use your BACK button on your browser and select the other items you want that qualify using ADD TO CART each time. When you are finished, look for the shopping cart icon at the top right corner of your eBay page and click on it. Find the blue button which reads COMMIT TO BUY & SEND REQUEST. Once done, the items will be held and I will create a single invoice with either combined or free shipping. NOTE: I cannot retroactively go back and combine items that are not purchased in this manner so PLEASE PAY ATTENTION.

Once you receive your invoice, payment is expected promptly! All of the payment info you need will be listed including multiple shipment options.

Since I am a legitimate business, California deliveries will require sales tax.

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

  • I accept Credit Cards, eChecks and electronic transfers with .
  • Unfortunately, direct bank transfers are not offered due to cost and security concerns.
  • As I reside in the USA, all payments must be made in US Dollars & Cents.



    SHIPPING ADDRESSES: IMPORTANT!! I can ONLY SHIP to the address as noted in PAYPAL'S "TRANSACTION DETAILS". If you want it shipped to an alternate location, you will need to register that address BEFORE paying or it will be shipped to the registered address.

    SHIPPING COSTS: Shipping costs will be determined by weight & destination! You may click on the SHIPPING & PAYMENT tab found at the top of the page, just under the item's picture for all shipping options to all destinations both domestic and international. There you will find drop down boxes for your location and you can then use the shipping calculator to determine the correct cost for where you live.

    REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT SHIPPING TIMES:


    Media Mail (once known as 4th class mail) is a special class of postage for books, music, videos and other printed media available within the US and territories. It is far less expensive than Priority Mail, but - it ..... is ........... slooowwwww!!!! Despite USPS claims of 3-9 day delivery times, MEDIA MAIL CAN actually TAKE UP TO 3 WEEKS to arrive, and their tracking info is frequently not updated until it actually arrives, making that feature pretty useless! PLEASE remember this when you leave feedback scores as the choice is yours and not my fault if it takes a long time to get there! If you want it in a week or less, you are going to have to bite the bullet and pay for Priority Mail which will get it there in 2-3 working days, 99% of the time, but it is more expensive. Basically, the choice is yours, but if you choose media mail, please don't write to me in 5 days asking where your package is, because the post office will have it and most of the time, they don't have a clue!

  • Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. You can check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying.
  • International deliveries usually arrive within 1-2 weeks but CAN take up to a month! Faster shipping is available on request, but expensive.
  • Finally, we do not mark merchandise values below value or mark items as "gifts"; it is illegal and immoral.

    Questions? Ask and I'll try to answer...

    Please check out the other "lovely" items I have just waiting for you by

    CLICKING HERE!


    Thanks so much for looking and bidding on my items ~Alan.