If you have to ask who JRR Tolkien is at this juncture, we are sorry to say that you’re not ready for our outlet, as you have some required education ahead of you—beginning with watching The Lord of the Rings trilogy, followed by The Hobbit trilogy. Or just read a shit ton of lengthy Middle-Earth novels.
Tolkien, the beloved writer and author to The Lord of the Rings saga, has had a significant impact and influence upon English and U.S.’ educational culture and entertainment sector. Redefining the boundaries of writing, while providing a fictional world comprised of men, women, children, elves, wizards, dwarves, goblins, orcs, and trolls—Tokien gave today’s millennial generation something to hold onto for the rest of their lives—imagination.
The six-bedroom home in Northmoor Road, Oxford, was home to JRR Tolkien, the author to fan-favorite The Lord of The Rings and The Hobbit, and his family from 1930 until 1947. Representing an important part of Oxford’s real estate history, the property was one of many built to house some of the country’s leading academics in the 1920’s.
So how much was this mysterious, private buyer willing to pay to literally enter into the world of Tolkien?
£4,575,000, or $5.8 million USD.
The home was first purchased by a private buyer back in 2004 for more than $1.9 million, or £1.5m.
Tolkien’s family first lived at number 22, but he later acquired the lease of the house next door, which has a larder, breakfast room, and six more bedrooms. Tiny, right?
The house, containing no special architectural qualities, was nevertheless given Grade II-listed status in 2004, simply because of Tolkien’s importance.
In the UK, a “grade 2-listed” building is a building or structure that is “of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve it.” It’s one that is recognized as being of national importance, which is recorded on an official register called The List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historical Interest. Buildings listed on the register are legally protected from being demolished, extended, or significantly altered without special permission from the local planning authority.
The property’s real estate agents, Breckon and Breckon, said it was “situated on a generous plot within a leafy central north Oxford suburb.” Since it was first constructed, the property has hardly been altered or renovated.
Although Professor Tolkien’s death in 1973 has seemed like an eternity, his name and works continue to live on today, as the popularity of the works has only grown stronger.
Indeed, Amazon Studios recently announced a Lord of the Rings television series, claimed to be the most expensive ever made, at a Gondor-like cost of $1 billion, or £807m. So, something to look forward to.
