This article is from page 12 of the 2013-05-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
BIDS from all over the world have already been made for a priceless piece of JRR Tolkien memorabilia, which will go under the hammer as part of the first ever Burren Tolkien Festival this month.
A signed copy of ‘Tree of Leaf’ will be auctioned for charity in Lisdoonvarna next Thursday, May 16. The book is the first run of the first edition of the book and was personally given to Lisdoonvarna resident Jeremy Prince, when he was a student of Tolkien’s at Oxford.
The silent auction will be managed by Scéal Eile bookshop in Ennis and will form the finale of the Tolkien Festival.
A number of digital bids have already been received from international collectors and bids will be accepted through email or in person until 3pm on May 16. No detail of the bids will be made public during the auction and the largest bid will receive the priceless copy.
“People are already bidding by email and people will be able to bid in the room on the day,” said Pat Hynes of Scéal Eile.
“The book is special because we know Tolkien has handled it. He took it off his book shelf and handed it to Jeremy Prince 50 years ago. But it is also facsimile signed – so we know that it came from the very first print run, which is always the most valuable.”
The book has been fully restored by Scéal Eile in preparation for the auction.
“The book will be on display during the festival so people can come and have a look at it. We have had a lot of interest in the book already but I would imaging they will be a rush in the days before the auction,” said Eibhleann Ni Ghríofa of Scéal Eile.
“We should know soon after the deadline who will get the book; everything should be sorted out in 15 or 20 minutes. There are a few events due to take place after the auction close so it should be a great finale for the festival.”
Anyone who wishes to register to make a bid in silent auction can do so at a cost of € 50 at www.scealeilebooks.ie.