First Edition Copy of 'The Hobbit' Expected to Auction for Thousands

A first-edition copy of JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit is expected to sell for up to £10,000 (USD$12,700) on Thursday, May 24, when it will be auctioned off by a Berkshire-based seller who inherited the piece of literary history.

The first edition was published in 1937.

It was illustrated in black and white by Tolkien himself, who also designed the dust cover.

Just 1,500 copies of the first edition version of the book were printed, according to local media.

The book has remained popular since its publication and is recognized as a classic in children’s literature.

The auction for the book will be held by Kinghams Auctioneers in Moreton-in-Marsh on Thursday. Credit: Kinghams Auctioneers via Storyful