The Lord of the Rings
new world record for fully signed, first edition, first impression
A new world record has been set at Forum Auctions when a fully signed, first edition, first impression set of the The Lord of the Rings sold for £287, 700 ($357,798).
Other major Tolkien sales include:
the author's manuscript of calligraphic poems with notes on Elvish (Sotheby's, 2024, £228,000)
a first edition of The Hobbit inscribed by Tolkien to one of his former students (Sotheby's, 2015, £137,000),
and what Christie's described as the 'Rosetta Stone of Middle Earth' letter in which Tolkien explained the development of runes and languages used in The Hobbit (1943, $107,100).
As reported February 5, 2025 in Fine Books & Collections.
I have some first edition, rare books and there is something about holding such treasures in my own hands.
Amazing that such a familiar book would sell so much money.