TOLKIEN fans have the chance to snap up an extremely rare piece of the author’s work which is expected to attract international attention.

The rare first impression copy of a volume of poetry containing early works by J.R.R. Tolkien will go under the hammer at Tennants Auctioneers in Leyburn on August 2.

The Swan Press originally printed a first impression of 170 copies in June 1923, followed by a second impression of 200 the following month, containing three original works by the then young academic.

The volume is expected to fetch between £3,000 and £5,000 and is part of Tennants’ August auction of Books, Maps, Prints and Manuscripts.