Discovery of a scarcely found Hobbit edition in England sparks a flurry of bidding, eventually breaking sale records
Rare First Edition of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" Sells for £43,000
A first edition of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novel, "The Hobbit," has been sold for an impressive £43,000, surpassing all estimates and setting a new record for a first edition without the original dust jacket.
The 1937 copy, discovered in Bristol, England, is one of the 1,500 first printings from nearly 90 years ago. Remarkably well-preserved, the book is in perfect condition, with no signs of wear or tear, even though it is a children's book.
This particular copy belonged to Hubert Priestley, a renowned botanist and a figure in the Oxford University academic circle. It is believed that the book was part of Priestley's library in the 1930s. Archives suggest that Priestley likely met Tolkien, as both maintained a correspondence with C.S. Lewis.
The book, adorned with black and white illustrations, sparked global interest upon announcement due to its rarity and the connection to the "Hobbit" film series. Despite not having the original dust jacket, the book's exceptional condition, along with its provenance and the connection to Priestley, significantly increased its value.
Caitlin Riley, a rare book expert at Auctioneum, discovered the book. She noted that it's remarkably rare to find a first edition of "The Hobbit" in such condition. The sale of the book surpassed all estimates, reaching £43,000, four times the expected price.
It's worth noting that copies with the dust jacket generally command much higher prices, with some immaculate copies reaching beyond $370,000 according to collector market reports. Signed or inscribed first editions and unique presentation copies often surpass $200,000, sometimes even higher, depending on provenance and condition.
The highest recorded sale price for a first edition of "The Hobbit" is approximately £137,000 (about $182,000), achieved in 2015 at Sotheby's in London. This particular copy was notable for having its original dust jacket and an inscription by Tolkien, along with four lines of handwritten Elvish, which significantly increased its value.
Tolkien taught at Oxford University for 34 years, and it's not surprising that his works hold a special place in the hearts of many academics. The sale of this rare first edition of "The Hobbit" is a testament to the enduring appeal of Tolkien's work and the value placed on such historical artefacts.
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