A RARE first edition copy of The Hobbit will be auctioned to raise money for the fight against motor neurone disease thanks to a Sunday Express campaign.

Ben Wadsworth, 33, a manager at WeBuyBooks, was “inspired” to donate the proceeds of the sale after feeling “emotional” in reading about our Fund The Fight Against MND crusade.

Mr Wadsworth said his colleagues at the second-hand book company in Rossendale, Lancashire, were particularly touched by the account of Royd Tolkien, the great-grandson of The Hobbit author JRR Tolkien, in nursing his brother Mike as he battled MND.

He said: “We had followed the Sunday Express campaign every week.

"Reading Royd's dedication to his brother was a defining moment, it touched a lot of hearts, we knew from that moment that we had to somehow get involved.

"Serendipity arrived when we received a batch of second-hand books and amongst them discovered a first edition print of The Hobbit.

"I contacted Royd, thanked him for his efforts towards MND, and said we wanted to help. I told him we planned to auction the book and discussed how any funds raised might best help the cause.

"We traditionally support local hospice groups and on this occasion giving half the auction proceeds to Royd's cause felt supportive.”

Royd, 52, said: “It was such a kind gesture from your newspaper readers at the book company.

"When they asked how they could best help, I realised that touching lives directly was crucial.

"The Sunday Express campaign was a watershed moment in the battle against MND.

"We are talking about a global impact - the £50million scored also placed pressure on other governments.

"With that research support locked in, when the book company asked what would best help today I thought of Doddie Weir's My Name’5 Doddie Foundation (https://www.myname5doddie.co.uk/).

"He is an inspiration.”

The book has been listed for auction at Bonhams in March with a guide price of £2,000.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1554 ... mpaign-the-hobbit-tolkien

I think it will be in this Auction on the 23rd March 2022 https://www.bonhams.com/live_auctions/27373/

Sheffield Auction House 21st January

Lot 1326

J.R.R. and Christopher Tolkien 'The History of Middle Earth. three volumes, 2002; J.R.R. Tolkien 'Samarillion(sic), 'Beowulf', 'Perilous Realm' and 'Beren, Luthien', 'Sigurd and Gudrún' and 'Sir Garwain(sic)', all in slipcases.


Estimate £60-£90
Sold for £600


https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auc ... tm_content=lot-image-link

Due to be released imminently (January 4th 2022 appears to be the most recent official date from the publisher and author), Tolkien, Enchantment, and Loss: Steps on the Developmental Journey by John Rosegrant is coming from Kent State University Press.

Focusing on the themes of enchantment and loss in the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, this unique study incorporates elements of developmental psychology to explore both Tolkien’s life and art, deepening our understanding of the interrelationship between his biography and writing.

• Hardcover
  
• 220 pages
  
• ISBN - 1606354353 / 978-1606354353
  
• List price $55
  
• Available for pre-order - https://www.tolkienguide.com/store/9781606354353

Here on this Christmas Eve, the Shirrifs want to wish you all happy holidays.

May you all finish 2021 with some hope, cheer and peace, and may 2022 be better.

Image courtesy of Urulókë, his tree has grown since last year!

Saw this and thought it should be highlighted here.

https://www.strichards.org.uk/valuable ... st-richards-hospice-shop/

A valuable set of The Lord of the Rings on sale for £1,495 has been stolen from a hospice charity shop in Worcester. The books' dust jackets are cream with a red and black image beneath each title.

The three-volume set – which includes The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King by J.R.R Tolkien – was taken from a locked display cabinet at the St Richard’s Hospice shop in St Swithin’s Street.

The theft took place on Sunday, December 19, at 12.33pm, and has been reported to the police.

Dan Corns, Commercial Director at St Richard’s, said: “We are saddened by the theft of these beautiful, valuable books.

“The volumes were on sale as a set for £1,495, reflecting the quality of the editions.

“The perfect addition for any collector or Tolkien enthusiast, they could also have raised a substantial amount towards our hospice care.

“For this to happen less than a week before Christmas, and during a difficult time for all in the charity sector, is especially upsetting.

“We appeal for anyone with information to contact the police, and hope the books can be returned to us.”

The hardback books feature first edition text from 1954, but were all published in 1957. They are first editions, but not first printings.

Each volume has a map of Middle Earth attached to its back cover. The books are in good condition, with some wear and tear to the dust jackets.

The copy of The Fellowship of the Ring includes an inscription on the inside cover which reads: ‘To F.W. Patterson. On his retirement 1980.’

The three books form a trilogy. The first volume is the seventh printing(1957), while the second volume is the fifth printing(1957), and the third volume is the third printing(1957).

Please contact police on 101 quoting crime reference number 22/114107/21 with any information.