J.R.R. Tolkien’s Merton College Desk Sold for £330,200

J.R.R. Tolkien's desk which he used while working at Merton College in Oxford has been sold today for £330,200 at Christie’s after spirited bidding, making more than six times its £50,000 low estimate.

The late 19th century roll-top mahogany and satinwood desk is one of only two desks known to have belonged to Tolkien and the only example remaining in private hands.

Used by Tolkien throughout his tenure as Merton Professor of English Language and Literature at Oxford (1945–1959), the desk was a constant presence during a pivotal period in his academic and creative life. The desk remained with Tolkien as he continued writing and research into the 1960s, before passing to Dame Iris Murdoch, adding a second strand of notable literary provenance to its history.

"This result reaffirms the enduring significance of Tolkien’s work," said Thais Hitchins, Head of Sale, "and celebrates the desk’s rarity and historical importance. For collectors, it was a truly exceptional opportunity to own a piece of literary history that carries the spirit of Middle-earth."