- First edition is one of only 1,500 produced
- The Hobbit was the first book to introduce the world of Middle Earth
- Estimated to sell for up to $12,500 when it goes up for auction this week
A rare first edition, first impression of J.R.R Tolkien’s iconic fantasy novel ‘The Hobbit’ has been discovered in a chest of drawers in Berkshire, England and is set to sell for more than $12,500 at auction.
The book was inherited by its current owners and discovered by Cotswold-based Kinghams Auctioneers.
First visit to Middle Earth
‘The Hobbit’ or ‘There and Back Again’ was first published in 1937. The novel is set in Middle Earth and tells the tale of the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins who joins the wizard Gandalf and the 13 dwarves of Thorin’s Company to go on a quest to reclaim the home of the dwarves and treasure from the dragon Smaug. When published it was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and awarded a prize from the New York Herald Tribune for best juvenile fiction.
George Allen & Unwin published the first edition on 21st September 1937 with just 1,500 copies. These sold out by December. It is illustrated in black and white by Tolkien who also designed the dust cover. During the war, the book was unavailable due to paper rationing. On the first edition, first impression there is a manual correction on the rear inner flap for ‘Dodgeson’, (better known as Lewis Carroll).
‘The Hobbit’ was the first book set in Middle Earth and was followed by others, including The Lord of the Rings trilogy. ‘The Hobbit’ has remained popular ever since its publication and received a boost to its popularity when it was turned into a trilogy of films starring Martin Freeman as Bilbo, released between 2012 and 2014.
Rare book
First editions of ‘The Hobbit’ are rare today, with examples selling in good condition selling for more than $20,000 – with signed copies fetching $75,000.
The book is being auctioned on May 23, with an estimate of $8,900-$12,500.
