First editions of the Lord of the Rings trilogy realized $9,200. This is the third volume, The Return of the King.

All three first editions originally published for J. R. R. Tolkien's legendary Lord of the Rings Trilogy sold for $9,200 in Dallas on April 13. This included hardcover editions of The Fellowship of the Ring (1954), The Two Towers (1955), and The Return of the King (1955) in a single set. The occasion was the Heritage-Slater 2005 April Historical Manuscripts & Autographs Auction. They also auctioned a rare and important handwritten letter from the pen of the great Romantic poet John Keats (1795-1821) for $126,500.

“This letter was written to Keats' paramour, Fanny Brawne, roughly a year before his death from tuberculosis," said Tom Slater, Director of HSA. "It is believed to be the last such love letter held in private hands.”

"John Keats was one of the great young voices of the Romantic Age," said Slater. "Unlike his contemporaries, which included Percy Bysshe Shelley and George Gordon, Lord Byron, Keats was born without the advantages of rank and station. His parents, who died when Keats was a boy, were working class, and he was plagued with financial troubles throughout his short life. Nevertheless, he had a significant impact on poetry and literature that continues to be felt to this day."

Other highlights of this auction include first editions of In autographs, there was a superb, large, signed photo of President Theodore Roosevelt from 1911 that realized $6,325. A sketch of the plane, The Sprit of St. Louis, by famed pilot of that plane, Charles Lindbergh, realized $2,280.

For comic fans, the highlight may have been Max Gaines personal collection of Presidential autographs. Gaines, the man credited with inventing the modern comic book in 1933, contains the signatures, as well as many documents pertaining to, of every President up to Warren G. Harding. This beautiful bound volume sold for $40,250.

For complete details, visit www.heritageamericana.com. All prices listed include a buyer's fee.

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First editions of the Lord of the Rings trilogy realized $9,200. This is the third volume, The Return of the King.		Measuring 9.25” by 13.25” this signed photo of President Theodore Roosevelt sold for $6,325.		Charles Lindbergh drew this sketch of the plane that he flew across the Atlantic, the Spirit of St. Loius. It realized $2,280.
Containing autographs and documents of every President up to Harding, this bound volume brought $40,250.		An original stock from Edison’s Phonograph Company realized $3,162.50.		Herman Melville’s signed letter, with picture brought $8,050.
This Japanese flag is autographed by 24 accused World War Two criminals as well as Prime Minister Tojo. It sold for $16,100.