This true First American Edition of The Hobbit is one of 1000 books printed back in 1938 and has beige cloth. It has the bowing hobbit on the cover (in red) and one in black on the title page. It has 1938 printed on the title page, and reads "copyright 1937, 1938" on the copyright page. It has a library pocket on the last page, and still has the library paper in the pocket, and the first dated stamp on the paper reads 22 MR '39, the last year on the paper reads 11 FB '44. Has the Wilderland Map on inside panels of front of book with the map reading "Wilderland", and also in red is "Thror's Map" on the back inside cover. The pocket from the Library reads + 398, T57 , h (?) 837, The Hobbit, Hudson Public Library, Borrowers, etc. etc., Demco - Madison - No. 280.

Book has 310 pages, and has all of the color plates in great condition.

Has raised or in other words indented (not inked stamped) on title page at top of page, neatly reading Hudson Public Library, Hudson, Wisconsin.

Cover is a little dirty beige. Have not had it cleaned, and I haven't cleaned it. Spine reads The Hobbit in blue with the red hobbit hat under the title, and Tolkien in blue. At bottom of spine reads Houghton Mifflin Co. in blue. There is a bit of dirt on the spine.

There's neat writing on the Contents page (page after the copyright page), reading 25 F 39 McClurq 1.80 in pencil and in ink on bottom of this page h (?) 837, and again at top of page reads + 398 T57 in pencil. Only other writing anywhere on the book is on th inside blank page reading 5A $ in pencil.

One of 1000 printed, how many exist today is only a guess but must surely be small in number.

Digital photo's available, inquire if interested.  
Other Tolkien books available, include both the UK and US editions, original cloth bindings, custom fine bindings, and Signed/Numbered/Limited Editions.