The Hobbit - J.R.R Tolkien's most famous book and how much it's worth - An Antique Books Guide

Here's a brief version of a longer post I have written, but this time only focusing on The Hobbit.

As Tolkien's most famous book, people often wonder how much a copy can be worth up to, especially if they happen to own a rather old edition.

Well hopefully this post will help guide anyone who wants to know what their Hobbit might be worth or anything else about editions of the Hobbit currently available.

The Hobbit

Published in 1937 with a very limited print run, this book is Tolkien's most famous and arguably the most famous fantasy book of all time.

Originally written for children but now touted as an adult friendly book due to advanced themes and lexis, this book is one of the most collected of any fictional works.

Look out for hardback copies with the dust jacket that are pre-1975 for real value.

Below are a selection of the editions of The Hobbit currently available and what they might be worth:

George Allen and Unwin Hobbit

The original Hobbit book with the Iconic dust jacket.

This design ran from 1937 up to 1975 with only minor alterations and as such is the classic Hobbit edition.

The first editions can reach over £6,000 at auction whilst later impressions drop to £20 approx. Here's a quick value guide for the George Allen and Unwin illustrated Hobbit:

First Edition/ Impression 1937 - £6,000+

First Edition 1932-1946 - Between £400 and £1,000+

Second Edition 1951-1965 - Between £80 up to £300 

Third Edition 1966-1975 - Between £15 and £80 

Editions with dust jackets and in good condition sell for the most

Folio Hobbit

This recent Folio edition is worth between £10-£20 despite the lovely covers, fine binding and black and white illustrations

Deluxe Edition

These versions started in 1976 and are known for their incredible quality throughout from the luxurious binding to the incredible cover designs.

This is THE edition for the collector.

Worth up to £200 for the first edition to at least £50 for last editions

Longmans Edition

A more obscure edition, this version was created primarily for schools.

Worth between £50 for a first edition and under £10 for a later edition.

The 1975 Hobbit paperback

This book is a a particularly rare year and contains colour illustrations and the unique cover design.

Worth up to £10

The Vintage Paperback

This is the classic paperback edition with covers using a drawing from Tolkien's own hand.

Starting in 1966 this edition ran to the mid 1970's.

Values range from £5 up to £20 for the first impression of this edition

The First Paperback edition

This is the very rare 1961 first paperback.

With a never used before or after cover illustration and poor quality binding, these books are growing rarer and rarer.

Valued at £25 for a poor condition version to £100 for one in very fine condition.

The Guild Publishing Deluxe edition

This rather nice looking copy has a uniform Lord of the Rings and Silmarillion also and is one of the more unique copies.

Prices vary from £10 for a poor condition edition to over £60 in some cases.

The 50th Anniversary Edition

The 1987 50th edition is one of the most collected recent editions.

Valued between £10 and £25

The 1978 Fourth Edition

The fourth edition may not be quite as collectible as the third, second or first editions (all of which have the classic iconic covers) but is nonetheless sought after.

Valued at between £10 and £25

The Michael Hague edition

This particular edition has some of the nicest and most elaborate illustrations of any yet published.

A large book and with completely unparalleled presentation, this book can be worth up to £30 for a first impression and as low as £5 for a later poor condition copy.

Earlier Folio

This particular folio edition is the middle edition between the 1979 deluxe and the 1990's popular Folio in terms of value.

Prices range from £10 to £30 in rare cases

Guild Publishing edition

Another rare GP edition with fine binding

Worth between £10 and £20

Guild Publishing edition

And another GP edition, worth slightly less than the above edition but still a nice rare copy to own.

Valued between £7.50 and £15

The Modern anniversary edition

This 1990's edition is a nice modern revamp of the classic edition and worth up to £10 in some cases

The modern Paperback

The standard modern paperback is ideal for children to read.

Worth generally less than £1 unless a first print of this edition in which case it could be worth up to £10

Limited Box Set

This rare boxset contains a unique edition of the book and many other extras including postcards, a CD with Tolkien reading excerpts and adverts.

Worth between £15 and £30

And there you have it!

The Hobbit is a very well published book and a solid investment with prices continually on the rise thanks to the great work of Christopher Tolkien and the Estate of Tolkien.

I hope this guide helped you in some way - please share, comment and do anything else you can with this blog except for copy it without permission!)

Thanks for reading