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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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!)
