3 Dec, 2008
(edited)Edited by Trotter on 2023-12-3 1:04:06 PM UTC
2008-12-3 6:27:16 PM UTC

FOR IMMEDIATE ANNOUNCEMENT
GTC AG, a Swiss based company, announces the acquisition of the second most expensive Tolkien book ever sold; a signed
Hobbit bought from Peter Harrington’s for £53,000 setting a new benchmark for a signed book.

The book was inscribed by Tolkien while staying with Jack Bennett, a friend and former colleague from Oxford. J.A.W. "Jack" Bennett (1911-81) succeeded C.S. Lewis as Professor of Medieval & Renaissance English at Cambridge.
Mark Faith, who acquired the book on behalf of the GTC AG said: “this signed
Hobbit will be one of our showpieces for the largest private Tolkien collection to be exhibited around the world beginning in 2011 by the GTC Roadshow, which coincides with the release of the new
Hobbit film.”
This eagerly awaited family exhibition is believed to be the largest assembly of Tolkien books, original paintings, memorabilia and other popular collectibles. It will transport visitors into the world of Middle-earth. In between life size trolls, dragons and scenery from the movies the GTC Roadshow brings together all the items that have come in existence since the very beginning of Tolkien fandom in one spectacular exhibition. Plans for the exhibition are a 3.000 square meters multi-media experience for the whole family.
At the core of the exhibition are all editions of Tolkien's books and around it an amazing range of Tolkien memorabilia and collectibles of all periods and countries. The newly acquired
Hobbit will be one of the highlights of the show.

The GTC Roadshow seeks investors and sponsors for what will be the most exciting and innovative Tolkien experience ever presented. For more information contact:
GTC ROADSHOW - UK
4 Dec, 2008
2008-12-4 3:14:16 PM UTC
The book was inscribed by Tolkien while staying with Jack Bennett, a friend and former colleague from Oxford. J.A.W. “Jack” Bennett (1911-81) succeeded C.S. Lewis as Professor of Medieval & Renaissance English at Cambridge.
As a side note, Bennett was also one of the Inklings, which (to me) increases the value of this copy even more.
4 Dec, 2008
2008-12-4 10:30:01 PM UTC
53,000 Pounds??? The world has indeed gone mad!!!
5 Dec, 2008
2008-12-5 6:49:42 AM UTC
I did find it a bit humorous (and of course I am quite jealous of this collection!) If the tour comes to this corner of the world, I really look forward to seeing everything. Not quite up to sponsoring it, though.

7 Dec, 2008
2008-12-7 10:24:07 PM UTC
>>In between life size trolls, dragons and scenery from the movies the >>GTC Roadshow brings together _all the items that have come in >>existence since the very beginning of Tolkien fandom_ ...
>>Plans for the exhibition are a 3.000 square meters multi-media >>experience for the whole family.
>>At the core of the exhibition are all editions of Tolkien’s books
- _All_ of the items? _All_ editions of the books? Sounds like 3,000 sq. metres might not be enough. Certainly not with all those 'life-sized' dragons and trolls.