Rare First Edition of ‘The Hobbit’ Expected to Fetch Thousands at Auction

A rare first edition of J.R.R. Tolkien‘s beloved fantasy novel, The Hobbit, is anticipated to sell for thousands of pounds at auction following its unexpected discovery during a house clearance in Bristol, England. The auction, conducted by Auctioneum, is set to conclude at 20:00 GMT on March 15, 2024.

This particular copy is one of only 1,500 original editions published in 1937, with estimates suggesting that merely a few hundred remain in existence today. According to Auctioneum, the surviving copies of this initial print run are now regarded as some of the most sought-after books in modern literature.

Uncovering a Hidden Treasure

The book was found on an old bookcase during a routine clearance after the passing of its owner. “Nobody knew it was there,” said Caitlin Riley, a rare books specialist at Auctioneum. “It was just a run-of-the-mill bookcase.” Upon examining the volume, Riley recognized it as an early edition of The Hobbit and was astonished to confirm its status as a true first edition. “I couldn’t believe my eyes,” she remarked, calling it an “unimaginably rare find.”

This particular copy, bound in light green cloth, includes rare black-and-white illustrations by Tolkien himself. The book was part of the family library of Hubert Priestley, a botanist affiliated with the University of Oxford, where Tolkien also taught. Auctioneum noted that it is likely both men were acquainted, as they shared mutual correspondence with another prominent figure from the university, C.S. Lewis.

Significance of the Auction

The ongoing bidding for this first edition has already reached approximately £23,000 (around $30,000) by late morning on the day of the auction. Earlier, a first edition of The Hobbit that included a handwritten note in Elvish by Tolkien sold for an impressive £137,000 at Sotheby’s in June 2015, demonstrating the immense value collectors place on such rare literary items.

Since its publication, The Hobbit has sold over 100 million copies worldwide and has been adapted into a successful film franchise, further cementing its status in popular culture. As the auction progresses, the anticipation surrounding this first edition continues to grow, likely attracting collectors and fans alike eager to secure a piece of literary history.