JRR Tolkien’s autograph is a key prize for collectors.

He’s the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, so it’s no surprise he's in high demand.

Let’s examine some of the unique factors affecting his market.

Signed books are wildly popular

The ultimate prize for any Tolkien fan is a signed first edition.

Ideally The Hobbit or one of the three Lord of the Rings novels.

(Image: Wikimedia Commons)

All are huge rarities.

So demand for the limited number available is high.

The record for an inscribed copy of The Hobbit stands at £137,000 ($177,432).

Letters are the next best thing, with those that offer key insights into his works particularly popular.

These are relatively easier to secure.

Tolkien was a generous correspondent and would happily write back to fans.   

Generational appeal  

Tolkien’s books have been translated into around 38 languages.  

(Image: Wikimedia Commons)

They’ve sold millions of copies worldwide.

And that’s before you factor in the extraordinary success of Peter Jackson’s film adaptations of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

These movies introduced Tolkien to a whole new generation of fans.  

And there’s another factor to bear in mind.

Real passion

Tolkien’s worlds are all encompassing.

In his day to day life he was a language scholar and used his expertise to create languages for his works. He was also an accomplished artist. 

His worlds are phenomenally immersive. There is a real sense of depth to his creations, which are considered among the pinnacles of escapist fiction.  

The passion that readers feel for these books translates into significant results at auction.

Paul Fraser.

PS. Do you have a JRR Tolkien autograph you’re looking to sell? I may be able to help. Get in touch today at info@paulfrasercollectibles.com.