A very rare 1937 first issue of the first edition of J R R Tolkien’s much-loved classic “The Hobbit” was sold for a staggering £60,000 – twice its pre-sale estimate and a new world record price at auction for an inscribed copy of the book.

The first edition, which was inscribed by the author to his friend Elaine Griffiths was bought on the telephone by a bidder who wishes to remain anonymous.

The Hobbit is Tolkien’s most successful book. It established his name as an author and is a prequel to the longer novel “The Lord of the Rings”. It was written for Tolkien’s children but his friend Elain thought so highly of the typescript that she suggested it be read by Susan Dagnall at George Allen and Unwin, who then published the book for the first time. It is illustrated with many black and white drawings penned by Tolkien himself.

Another exceptional and poignant item in the sale was the last known photograph of Tolkien, taken by his grandson Michael on August 9th 1973. The photograph, expected to fetch £400-600 sold for £864. It shows the author in the Oxford Botanical Gardens leaning against his favourite tree, the Black Pine he named Laocoon. It was a gift to Elaine Griffiths from Tolkien’s daughter Priscilla, who wrote on the back “For Elaine with love from Priscilla”.

www.bonhams.com

Posted: 03|18|08 at 4:02 pm. Filed under: UK News.