Rare Tolkien Items to be Auctioned

A rare first edition of The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien is expected to raise £30,000 at auction. The last photograph of Tolkien is also being auctioned at Bonhams, London, on March 18. It was taken in 1973 by his grandson Michael in the Botanic Garden, Oxford, and shows him standing beside his favourite tree. A note on the back written by Priscilla, his daughter, says: “For Elaine with love from Priscilla.” The book is also dedicated to Elaine Griffiths, the friend who urged him to have The Hobbit published. Other lots include illustrations by Tolkien and a copy of Farmer Giles of Ham.