On September 10th, 2013 at their Oxford location, Bonhams has three Tolkien book lots up for auction. A first edition Hobbit without dustjacket leads, they have a set of early impressions of The Lord of the Rings, and then a sixth impression Hobbit with dustjacket to close the three lots. While none of the three lots are outstanding in condition, they have reasonable estimates and can likely be obtained for a good price at least relative to what book dealers ask for these editions.

Auction 20706
10 September 2013

Hobbit Bonhams 20706 431Lot 431
TOLKIEN (J. R. R.) The Hobbit, or There and Back Again, first edition, FIRST IMPRESSION, illustrations, occasional faint stains to upper margins, small ink smudge to outer margin (p.109), half-centimetre tear to frontispiece upper margin, map endpapers slightly toned, pencil ownership inscription, publisher's pictorial cloth, bumped corners, worn at lower edge of lower board, 8vo, George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1937
Estimate: £1,000 - 1,500 | US$ 1,600 - 2,300 | €1,200 - 1,800
Result: £2,750 (US$ 4,466) including premium



Two Towers Bonhams 20706 432Lot 432
TOLKIEN (J.R.R.) The Fellowship of the Ring, fifth impression, 1956; The Two Towers, fourth impression, 1956; The Return of the King, third impression, 1957, folding maps, publisher's cloth, mixed dust-jackets, worn at folds, 8vo, George Allen & Unwin Ltd (3)
Estimate: £200 - 300 | US$ 310 - 470 | €230 - 350
Result: £75 (US$ 121) including premium


Hobbit Bonhams 20706 433
Lot 433
TOLKIEN (J.R.R.) The Hobbit, or There and Back Again, sixth impression, colour frontispiece, illustrations, small tears to two pages, publisher's pictorial cloth, dust-jacket, tattered at edges, 8vo, George Allen & Unwin Ltd, [1954]
Estimate: £300 - 500 | US$ 470 - 780 | €350 - 580
Result: £400 (US$ 649) including premium