J.R.R. Tolkien – The Fellowship of the Ring, published 1961. First Edition,

Conditions of Sale

a) The Auctioneers has complete discretion to divide or combine any lot(s) or to withdraw from Auction any lot(s), to refuse bids, regulate bidding or cancel the Auction without in any case giving any reason or without giving previous notice. The Auctioneer may bid on behalf of the vendor for all goods which are being offered subject to reserve or at the Auctioneer’s discretion.

b)  The Highest Bidder shall be the buyer except in the case of a dispute and in such case the Auctioneer may withdraw the lot, re-offer the lot or settle the dispute as he so decides.

c)  All conditions, descriptions and matters in the catalogue for each Auction concerning any lot(s) are subject to any statements affecting the lot(s) made by the Auctioneer before each lot is offered for sale. Any breakages must be paid for at the reserved price or a price deemed appropriate by the Auctioneer.

d)  The Auctioneer denies any responsibility for default by either the buyer or vendor because he acts as agent for the vendor only and will not pay any monies to the vendor until he has received full payment from the buyer and all unsold items are firstly removed.

e)  Ample time is allowed for enquiries regarding the lots before this sale and any buyer by making a bid for a lot(s) acknowledges that he has satisfied himself fully before bidding as to the condition of and description of the lot(s) including but not restricted to whether or not the lot is damaged, repaired or restored.

f)  Legal title of the lot(s) will not pass to the buyer until the lot(s) has been paid for in full and the Auctioneer shall be entitled to a lien on any lot(s) sold until the purchase price (the hammer price together with a premium of 25% including VAT – bearing in mind there is a minimum premium of €5 inc. VAT payable on each Lot) is paid in full but each lot is at the sole risk of the buyer from the fall of the hammer. Each buyer shall forthwith give his full name and permanent address and if called to do so by the Auctioneer shall pay to Purcell Auctioneers such portion of the purchase price as the Auctioneer may require – generally 20% of the hammer price. If the buyer fails to do so the lot may at the Auctioneers discretion be put up again and re-sold. Every bidder shall be deemed to act as principal unless there is in force a written acknowledgement by Purcell Auctioneers that he acts on behalf of a named principal.

g)  No purchase shall be claimed or removed until it has been paid for in full and the sale has been concluded. All purchases shall be paid for and removed at the buyers risk and expense by the following Wednesday evening at 6pm, failing which the Auctioneer shall not be responsible if the same are lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed and all lots not removed will remain at the risk of the buyer and subject to a storage charge of €5 per lot per day. If they are not paid for and removed within the collection period the Auctioneer may re-sell them by auction or privately without notice to the buyer. Any liability which there may be on the part of the Auctioneer in respect of any loss shall be restricted to a maximum of price paid by the buyer of the lot. In the event of any failure of the buyers to comply with any of the conditions the damages recoverable by the seller or the Auctioneers from the defaulter shall include any loss arising on from any re-sale of the lot, together with the charges and expenses in respect of both sales, and any money deposited in part payment shall be held by the Auctioneer on account of any liability of the defaulter to them or to the seller. Purcell Auctioneers are unable to accept payment from successful bidders other than in cash or by the bidders own cheque. (Cheques must be accompanied by a valid cheque guarantee card and not exceed the guarantee value of the card). In all cases goods may not be removed before cheques are cleared.

h) The purchaser shall pay the hammer price together with a premium of 25% including VAT (bearing in mind there is a minimum premium of €5 inc. VAT payable on each Lot). The premium attracts VAT at the standard rate and is payable by all purchasers. The vendor authorises the Auctioneer to deduct commission and expenses at the stated rates from the hammer price and acknowledges the Auctioneers right to retain the premium payable by the Purchaser.

i)  Telephone bids are only accepted where the lower estimate exceeds €50 and as phone lines are limited, we would expect that you would be willing to bid in excess of the lower estimate of any lot. All telephone and commission bids must be registered before 5pm on day prior to sale.