Originally Posted by
Scoogs
So a friend of my cousin inherited a small collection of Tolkien books from his father with two standout pieces among them.
One is a signed copy of The Hobbit, the other is one of the books that Tolkien used for his research while writing LOTR. It is literally filled with his hand written notes throughout and "still smells of his pipe smoke."
He's been thinking long and hard and is considering selling one, or both, to help build the college fund for his kids.
I know the Hobbit was appraised at least $8,000. I don't believe it's a first printing or it would probably be higher.
My understanding is that both have been authenticated by the head of the Tolkien collection at Marquette University in Milwaukee.
I'd have a very hard time parting with either of those if I were him.