A first edition of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novel The Hobbit, discovered in a West Midlands charity shop, has fetched £38,000 at auction – far surpassing its initial £100 estimate.
Discovery and Auction
The rare book was donated to a charity shop in the West Midlands, where staff initially priced it at £100. However, upon recognizing its potential value, they contacted auctioneers. The book was sold by Fellows Auctioneers in Birmingham on 18 December 2024.
The auction house reported that the copy is a first edition, first impression, published in 1937 by George Allen & Unwin. It features the original dust jacket and is in remarkably good condition for its age. Bidding started at £100 and quickly escalated, with the final hammer price reaching £38,000.
Proceeds to Charity
The sale proceeds will benefit the charity that received the donation, though the specific charity has not been named. The book's anonymous donor is said to be delighted that the find will support a good cause.
According to a spokesperson for Fellows Auctioneers, “We were thrilled to handle such a significant literary treasure. The Hobbit is one of the most beloved books of all time, and this first edition is a true collector's item.”
Rarity and Value
First editions of The Hobbit are highly sought after by collectors. Only 1,500 copies were printed in the initial run, and many were destroyed during World War II bombings, making surviving copies extremely rare. A similar copy sold at auction in 2021 for £60,000.
The book's discovery highlights the potential for valuable items to turn up unexpectedly in charity shops. Experts advise donors to research items before pricing them, as even well-intentioned donations can be undervalued.
The £38,000 sale is a windfall for the charity and a reminder of the enduring appeal of Tolkien's work, which has sold over 100 million copies worldwide.
