In a remarkable discovery, a rare first edition book of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit was found during a house cleaning in South West England and later sold at auction for a staggering Rs16.1 million (approximately £43,000 or $57,000).

The book is one of just 1,500 original copies printed in 1937 and remains among the most sought-after works in modern literature. Purchased by a private collector in the UK, this edition is a prized item for fans of fantasy fiction.

According to the auction house "Auctioneum," only a few hundred of these rare first edition books are believed to have survived. The copy was discovered inside a bookshelf in a Bristol home being cleaned after the owner's death.

Bidding came in from across the globe, pushing the final price to four times the expected amount. Caitlin Riley, a rare books expert at Auctioneum, called the sale "a spectacular result for a truly special book."

Auctioneum noted that original print copies of The Hobbit are considered some of the most valuable treasures in modern literary history.