A rare first edition of The Hobbit or There and Back Again, and its landmark three-part sequel The Lord of The Rings, are expected to bring upwards of $90,000 combined when they come up for bid as part of Heritage Auctions June 8-9 Signature Rare Books auction. They are estimated at $50,000+ and $37,500+, respectively.

"There can be no doubt that these four books comprise the most influential fantasy books ever written," said James Gannon, Director of Rare Books at Heritage. "As such, original copies in excellent condition like these are extremely desirable and collectors are willing to pay top dollar for them."

Heritage has developed a well-earned reputation as the premier auctioneer of early and rare Harry Potter editions, and the June 8-9 auction is no exception to this, featuring two first editions of J.K. Rowling's 1997 groundbreaking first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The first is one of 500 first edition copies in the publisher's pictorial laminated boards, and one of the approximately 300 copies sent to English libraries (estimated at $25,000+), while the second is a first edition in the publisher's wrappers, inscribed and signed by the author, with an early form of her signature, on the dedication page (estimate: $15,000+).

"Harry Potter rarities are among the most intensely-collected modern books, and Heritage has had great success presenting the young wizard at auction. Besides the two outstanding first editions of Philosopher's Stone in the June auction, we have numerous first editions of the subsequent titles in the famed series, many of them signed by J. K. Rowling," added Gannon.

A. A. Milne's lovable Winnie-the-Pooh is also heartily represented at Heritage, with three sets of the four Pooh books available at different bidding levels. Chief among the three is a set of first editions of the four Pooh books, all in the original dust jackets, including: When We Were Very Young, Winnie-the-Pooh, Now We Are Six, and The House at Pooh Corner. London: Methuen & Co., [1924-1928]. This wonderful set of the timeless children's classic is estimated at $15,000 and up. And a signed first trade edition of Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh (London: Methuen & Co. Ltd., [1926])in wonderful condition and including the original dust jacketrounds out the Pooh books at an estimate of $6,500 and up.