Most Expensive Book Ever On Antiques Roadshow ❦ The Hobbit (1937)

[@clarissagafoor5222]

I'm not sure if Tom reads these comments but I'd just like to put out here what a comfort this channel is. In a world gone and going bonkers this is a small touch of sanity that calms the mind and spirit.

[@oz_jones]

It's like a good book on a rainy day with hot cocoa :)

[@Thomas-jl3gn]

Very well said & I agree.

[@jonathan99399]

Well said. I completely agree.

[@HughJohn-s1n]

Sanity 300k for a book 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@be_an_rm]

Love the long-form video for a change!

[@tomwayling]

Thank you! New long form videos every Sunday going forward!

[@beckycaughel7557]

@@tomwaylingwow this is great thank you

[@gregralph5168]

@@tomwaylinggreat news!!!!!

[@PhilosopherThom]

Yes! I join several others in saying: More long format please! Loved this! Your passion is infectious!

[@tomwayling]

Thank you! Will do!

[@alisonhewitt1753]

Loved this Tom. Thank you for a wonderful listen

[@tomwayling]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jaxwagen4238]

I like how you so politely avoided saying the roadshow expert was wrong. Loving the new content

[@stitchgor3]

That’s what o hate abt that show😭 they’re typically right with the info but underprice so bad

[@JSchroederee]

I'm not sure how the road show could be considered wrong. I'm assuming video referenced The best comparable with the 1989 sale before that episode and it sold for less than the evaluation. A good evaluation is based on actual sale data. Yes the market was on rapidly on the rise based on the 1991 Sale refenced but to me it seems like a good appraisal at the time with maybe a comment warranted that there is a likelihood or suspicion that the market for such books is exploding.

[@UncleFester-zz5jj]

Tom is a gentleman.

[@saintjimmy456]

I don't think he was politely avoiding it, I don't think he thought it. If something is valued in 1991 and then re-valued in 2003, after inflation and the resurgence of Tolkien popularity brought by the film trilogy, it doesn't mean the original valuation was "wrong," it means the value has increased based on as I said, inflation, demand and market conditions. Things the original valuer could not forsee.

[@endlesswanderer1753]

@@JSchroederee And auction prices weren't as insane as they are today without the modern day internet. There might have been BBS boards with auction/selling info back in 1990, but I doubt it. And if they did existed, they were very niche and the Roadshow evaluators wouldn't have used them or known that they existed. And this is ignoring that £3,500 would be £8,500 (nearly $10,750) today. $11k for a single book wasn't anything to scoff about in 1990. We were read The Hobbit as children. It was considered just a childrens book, despite Led Zeppelin and others knowing better. It wasn't as revered as it is today.

[@robertgerrity878]

Well north of $500k now. I mean, is there another 1st with "from Ronald with much love" out there? Supremely personal. Well presented. Those catalogs are art works.

[@Echochamber79]

500K? no way, would it break $100K? more than likely.

[@winkieblink7625]

Possibly 1.5M. Dust jacket is the only tattered-ness….BUT first edition DJ. Books now are VERY VALUABLE …NOW…MEGA market for first editions. 10 x plus now…800K - at least 1M.

[@jaga887]

​​@@Echochamber79 What? The signed copy of tolkiens aunts first edition hobbit is easily worth 500k signed copies of the lotr 1st/1st sell for 100k, let alone a signed hobbit or the signed and personalised copy of tolkiens aunt 😂

[@Echochamber79]

@@jaga887 A first edition, presentation copy of The Lord of the Rings signed by the author sold for $65,000 this year. Here is the actual auction description of the mentioned copy in the video: FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE (with 'Dodgeson' corrected in ink on the inside lower flap of the dust jacket), EARLIEST PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR TO HIS AUNT on the preliminary blank ("for / Auntie Jane / from / Ronald / with much love"), along with a later inscription by a member of the Tolkien family noting "from the library of / J.R.R. Tolkien." The copy includes 10 illustrations and pictorial endpapers in red and black by the author, 2 pages of publisher's advertisements, and is bound in the original pictorial green cloth. - 2003 Sotheby's - Approx. $70,000 If you're finding higher prices, they are likely retail "asking prices," not actual auction sold prices. Would it fetch $150,000? More than likely. $200,000? Possibly. Over $500,000? That would be very hard to see.

[@jaga887]

@@Echochamber79 Yeah I agree, several hundred thousand seems fairer on reconsideration, though more in line with Tom's estimation. A copy of the Lord of the rings signed sold for 135000 dollars back at the start of August tho, does seem a bit high

[@VaryaEQ]

I would absolutely die. This is fantastic!! Also, interesting that the Hobbit was first published the day before Bilbo and Frodo's birthdays.

[@michaelm7823]

I could listen to you do these all day long. Wonderful.

[@stevegeorge7773]

Stories are powerful. How apt a tale as this for a book as this iconic in our modern world.

[@HaneenIAdam]

Wow! you make this whole book talk sound so so enthralling and enchanting. Thanks for such great content Tom.

[@user-fh2vx3hd6c]

My family still has our first edition inscribed to my Great Uncle C.S. Lewis

[@annetteclark8854]

What a treasure!

[@richardmaloney9156]

Finally a 'reaction video' that's not just taking someone else's work. Great work, Tom.

[@simonprocter5505]

Thanks for the interesting video and enthusiasm about the subject. I remember the original AR valuation and going to grab my cheque book at the time…

[@Syko1985]

£48,000 in 2003 seems like an absolute bargain also, i was expecting you to say at least a few hundred thousand, and for it to be worth close to a million today. A first edition Hobbit book signed by Tolkien, personalised to his aunty Jane, also with a hand written letter to her about the actual book. That sounds like the holy grail of all book collections to me.

[@eldermillennial2000]

I was a teenager during this time, and I remember how the movies created a new wave of fans. I had not read the books at the time and the movies blew me away. If this book had sold after the films, perhaps it would have gone in the six figures.

[@mumsspaghetti6649]

He said he thinks its worth 350k

[@finch45lear]

I hope you continue to make videos. Your natural passion for beautiful books is wonderful and I hope contagious so as to encourage others to collect and more importantly read these magnificent works of literature.

[@Lin-1785]

I enjoyed every minute of this, both your passion and research. I'm not Tolkien reader, but fans seeing this must be just beside themselves. But I love any book's story!

[@Trotter_Tolkien]

I have only seen one dust-jacket that did not have the Dodgeson>Dodgson correction. Wish my dust-jacket on my copy was in anywhere as near as good a condition as Aunt Jane's copy 😢

[@tomwayling]

Having one at all makes it better than most!

[@maryannec.moravec6289]

Completely enjoyed this video. I’m hoping for more. Thank you for your presentations and good luck in all your endeavors.

[@jayrey5390]

I'd love more of your long form work, it's a topic I know very little about and a curated dip into rare, important and interesting books, book related topics and frankly whatever you want to show us! Thank you for your work, already a channel I keenly follow.

[@infjjedi3335]

This was wonderful. Thank you ❤

[@romystumpy1197]

I agree,the long format is more satisfying

[@louiseberman4241]

I remember watching this episode. I was absolutely gobsmacked by the price. 😊😆

[@j-dmachado4349]

Incredible analysis! Fascinating! What a dream it would be - how I would treasure a signed Tolkien first edition from his own lifetime!! 🤩

[@hikinanyakin8540]

One of your best videos!

[@tomwayling]

Wow, thanks!

[@roscelsavery]

Oh my this was fantastic 😍 greetings from Dominican Republic 💙

[@satubock]

I don't know much about rare books but I do know about the LoTR fandom and was thinking the whole time that it had to be worth six digits now.

[@OSBA71]

Great video, Tom. So very interesting. Can't imagine coming across that book in the ol' family library!

[@SeamusMartin1]

I so love your channel, Tom. Thank you.

[@grisha_prorokov]

what a great video, thanks for a longer video!

[@chrisroyboat]

Incredible video! Hope to see more long form!

[@tomwayling]

More to come!

[@Bourne1984]

Fabulous vid. Looking forward to the longer vids Tom.

[@townsville69]

I remember watching the 3500-pound episode and thinking 'I would have slapped down the money, and been out the door, before the full stop fell'. Then, hidden it under a mountain to keep my precious safe.

[@jaxwagen4238]

That roadshow expert was definitely trying to get themselves a deal

[@oz_jones]

​@@jaxwagen4238*himself

[@themasterninja110]

Goose bumps watching this. Ive been a huge fan of the lord of the rings for as long as i can remember.

[@MrStGeorgeIllawarra]

My favourite find on Antiques Roadshow featured the personal secretary of Ian Fleming. He had given her a first edition of every book personally signed with a little message in every one about each particularly story. Lord knows how much the set would be worth today.

[@Nat1videos]

Great video! I have always daydreamed about finding a first edition in the back of an old book store, or in an estate sale or loft... this video kind of dashes my hopes as I realise that people are probably keeping goof tabs on them lol. Still really enjoyed this :D

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

Tom's excitement is so contagious that I can't help but smile.

[@lebronzejames]

350k seems like still a bargain ♡

[@roadrunnercrazy]

Fascinating video. Looking forward to the next one.

[@o-scarface6973]

I absolutely love your channel

[@jmarrero7]

This content makes me want to sit down and watch more. Thanks!

[@billywhippet]

I tell you what Tom , one of your videos popped up on my KZbin the other day, it was you bidding on Alice in Wonderland book, and I was hooked. I am not into rare books or anything like that, but your passion for books and your knowledge is just fantastic. Keep the videos coming, you got a new fan. Good luck to you.

[@thomasdequincey5811]

This was good. I really enjoyed it.

[@NRTSean]

Thank you. As a bibliophile and fan of Tolkien was fascinated by this.

[@jonathan99399]

I can’t stop watching these videos!

[@Theducksavilerowshow]

Mr. Ayling, You are inspiring me to spend much more time at flea markets here in America searching for books. Although I am enjoying the ‘hunt’, my wife may not be your biggest fan 😂

[@jonjonsson6323]

I saw that episode and at the time it was seriously underprised even then

[@panicbuyflax3461]

How could he not use gloves for such a priceless book! Kidding I love your videos, Tom❤️

[@Tvianne]

because you risk to tear it.

[@panicbuyflax3461]

@@Tvianne twas a joke

[@Tvianne]

@@panicbuyflax3461 ahhhh, ok.

[@imoenbg1]

This video is incredible. Absolutely love your passion!Finally the algorithm did something good!

[@AmericanaGardens]

Your love for books is contagious!

[@brandoncornwell52]

That was a complete surprise, and I think that you have correctly assessed the actual value of this incredible little book. I’m surprised that it was seemingly so undervalued in the Sotheby’s auction, but with such a high profile, public space at which to be sold I suppose that was its approximate worth, though I’d have paid twice that if I had the means to do so. Interesting video.

[@hakonsoreide]

Only £3,500? Even in 1990 that sounds ridiculously low to me. £35,000 is probably more like it. Whoever bought it in 2003 also seems to have got a bargain.

[@gortauth3260]

Tape is a b*tch 😂

[@JSchroederee]

Based on the 1989 sale refeneced the evaluation could be considered a bit high £3500 in 1990. The later 1991 more comparable sale refenced shows that the market still would not likely support a £35,000 value a year later.

[@yurkshirelad]

I'm pretty sure my dad had a copy with that cover many years ago. Unless my memory is playing tricks on me.

[@evah1928]

I’m considering getting a degree in rare books so your channel is so helpful! Keep at it!!

[@verpine3534]

The content of this video was really interesting and appreciated. My only suggestion is that Mr. Ayling should adjust the volume so his commentary isn't so quiet. Even by adjusting my various volume controls his voice is very washed out, especially compared to the volume of the Roadshow video clips.

[@therealinformalmusic]

I notice that Tracy Tolkien, wife of Simon and daughter-in-law of Christopher, did not bother to research her husband’s family enough to know who Aunt Jane was. Dodgson’s surname was pronounced Dodson; we know this because he wrote to penfriends explaining that the name should be spelled with a g though the letter was not pronounced.

[@nathanscovell2895]

My gosh this is amazing.

[@eskybakzu712]

My grandfather owns a numbered first edition first printing signed edition of Ulysses ...

[@X_Ov3R-_-Ki11]

Your passion is infectious.

[@pulchralutetia]

Brilliant video Tom but please speak closer to the mic - we can't hear you properly!

[@TrippinDrago]

Absolutely brilliant!

[@acousticboy9029]

Look at the crowd gathering

[@Tvianne]

only the popcorn is missing 😁

[@joker_g7337]

Thank you for taking the time of making this video. You have a very calm voice. I have a question if I may. I own first editions of old books (Hornblower series, several Antoine de St. Exupery and Montecristo). I also inherited a short manuscript of a children book written by my grand father at the beginning of WWII. None of those books were expensive but they are nonetheless treasures. What simple precautions should I take to protect them for a long time?

[@tomwayling]

Luckily books are relatively easy to look after, and they are hardy enough to survive for hundreds of years. The ground rules are: Keep them in a stable environment - around 60-70F or 16-20C and at a stable humidity (40-50% relative humidity if you measure it). Keep them out of direct sunlight. Shelve them upright on a shelf with other books, using bookends for support if necessary. Take them off the shelves to look through them and lightly dust them from time to time. Hope this helps!

[@joker_g7337]

@@tomwayling thank you very much for your answer! :D

[@ariochiv]

I remember watching that Roadshow episode and being surprised at the low figure for the book... but I'm certainly not a book collector.

[@Stampistuta]

Really well put together giving us the background and the context of who Aunt Jane is. Personally I was shocked how low the roadshow estimate was and even its eventual sale price seems modest.

[@reesofraft4166]

Well lotr was well received but it got way bigger since the movies - this might be the correct estimate for this book at this time.

[@saintjimmy456]

"I would have easily paid £3500 for it" But you none of you were there in 1991 when the item was valued. Otherwise the demand would have been huge and the price would have gone up... simple supply and demand. The price was that low because there was a much smaller market, and you have to take into account inflation.

[@jewellui]

The market is not always efficient nor perfect.

[@inisipisTV]

He gave samples of other copies of lesser historical significance and of poor quality sold for an equal price. This being a personal gift by Tolkien to his dear Aunt with a personal hand written letter for her, then being held by one the Author’s son’s wife make the copy one of kind. I’m very sure after the show was aired in 1991, countless Tolkien and book collectors might had probably called the lady and offered her more than twice the price, but decided to keep it a lot longer.

[@jtb811]

Man looking at that book I am drooling. I have a couple of signed first editions but nothing like that. I would love to have something like that on my bookshelf.

[@mulemule]

*A fine and fun revisiting of perhaps THE greatest copy of "The Hobbit" in public hands. Your deliberate and **_fact-based_** valuation is esp. welcomed.* *(A rare and refreshing approach amidst KZbin's commentariat where "armchair experts" shoe-horn mere opinion in place of **_inviolable facts.)_* 🏆

[@barringtonofmorpeth]

Like most well known authors at the time of publication, editions were relatively easy for the public to purchase (if interested) but only became of "worth" when that interest turned into a following (plus) it helps with film adaptations. How many had the Harry Potter editions, only to be given to charity shops when finished, yet with hindsight should have kept them.

[@MarcusVipsaniusAgrippaLXIII]

I have a first edition of the hobbit. Would be glad to share photos.

[@WordsCanBeLikeXRays]

I love the long form content.

[@DRpokeme]

Wonderful to see and hear, love books.

[@SprocketGames]

Great video! Your microphone kept cutting out when you lean back or hold a book between you and the microphone.

[@bazza945]

In the early 1960s, I read The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Even though I was an avid reader of anything I could get my hands on, I didn't like LotR. However, sometime later I read The Hobbit and loved it. In my opinion The Hobbit should have been Book One of the Lord of the Rings QUARTET.

[@davegadge1]

Hi Tom, I have a first edition Jules Verne ‘twenty thousands league’ just saying! It’s beautiful!

[@WilliamBlakers]

Can you distinguish dust jackets from later editions from the first edition? Oops, should have finished watching the whole video first before writing the question.

[@CarMaBear]

Heya Tom! Brilliant work! As it happens, I just received a metric assload of books and comics -- some more than 100yrs old. Including a printing of Macbeth. Where should I go to have them valued, if you know? I'm in the US

[@jeewa7114]

I borrowed a copy that looked like that from my library recently. Unfortunately I didn't have much time so I didn't get to read the whole thing

[@oz_jones]

Probably a fascimilie. I hope at least 😂

[@HemiChrysler]

I was surprised to observe that my 1995 hardback edition has the same dust jacket design as the original 1937 edition.

[@PatTriesAgain]

make your volume a little louder. outside of that, it's perfect.

[@rjlchristie]

Insane prices. Insane.

[@willk7184]

I thought it was generally better *not* to have a personalized inscription, but rather simply a signature.

[@nicks40]

Other way around - especially if the dedicatee is someone well-known or with a connection to the author.

[@inisipisTV]

Usually, but the owner is a very dear relative (Aunt) of the Author that he would had personally picked and signed and presented to her as a gift. This gives the book a huge historical significance as a relic of the Author. Making it very rare (since there’s only just one) If it was just signed to a random person, it’s value would be lesser, however the other copy was owned by another person who would later on became a famous Author herself adds value to it too. We must take into account that Tolkien didn’t signed that too many copies of his books, unlike let’s say modern Authors who would have Conventions or Book signing events where they would signed hundreds of copies per day.

[@BKNeifert]

Tolkien would pen in a correction. You sometimes just have to have faith in the stories we've pass down.

[@frankshifreen]

GREAT GREAT VIDEO- WOULD NOT HAVE GUESSED

[@jeffreylyons1531]

I agree I would see no reason it wouldn’t fetch 350k, it’s the holy grail.

[@TheMoneypresident]

Remember, my school library having a dust cover exactly like that.

[@cdub4693]

The great British missionary to Australia and New Zealand FW Boreham. Who is the greatest Christian essayist in history. His rarer books are going for thousands now and are highly collectible in the states for years. Maybe you can honor him with a video.

[@stustig9430]

'How did you come by the book Mrs Tolkien ?'

[@johnkochen7264]

You can lament the use of the cello tape but at the time, I doubt people gave it a second thought. How could anyone expect his little book to take off as it did in the 1970’s? Hindsight is always 20/20.

[@chuckyoneill9029]

Amazing the book to Aunt Jane was like bying a piece of real estate.thanks

[@johnwilson5637]

It wasn't just the book, all the factors together made the price. The book, on it's own, wouldn't have fetched that price.

[@zacharyhockett6248]

Maybe its just me because I really don't have a family history but I can't imagine selling something like that. I have a gold watch from my great grand father and other than my kids and wife it's the one thing I'd save in a house fire.

[@markdoldon8852]

Sometimrs it simply comes down to "which of my nephews deserves the treasure, since we have no direct descendents" i used to wonder the same thing about absolutely gorgeous daguerrotype photos i used to collect, usually picked up almost for free at farm auctions, never knowing even thr family name.

[@PopeLando]

Buyer pays $300,000. Opens the book. "Hey, where's the letter to Auntie Jane??" "Oh, I put that in the recycling..."

[@WizardKingCorey]

A magic piece of history

[@rob-brushandsword8277]

The date (Sept 22nd) is also important for another reason... it's Bilbos birthday! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@discomcpeej7574]

Homie this is an extremely interesting video. Simply fascinating source material, and for me, easy click bait. But every time you bounce away from the microphone it. is. maddening. I have to keep turning up and then instantly lowering the volume whenever you go back to the original video. The sound on the A.R. portions are far louder than when it cuts back to you. Great content, though.

[@risenfromthepyre]

Condition is everything and the damage to the former dust jacket would significantly lower its value. It's not pristine condition.

[@richardseymour3399]

September 22 is also Bilbo's birthday.

[@monkeyface6139]

Mick, I have all the Simply Red albums. My Gran and I were wondering if there is one thats more valuable than the rest ? My Gran loves you.

[@gargoyle7863]

I'm not so bad about the glue strip. It proofs letter and book are one entity.

[@chrisgreaves8855]

Awesome, than you.