Tolkien Library Store - Original Cloth Bindings

#000277 - 1st UK Edition - 1st impressions with dustjackets - SOLD
George Allen & Unwin, published in 1954, 1954, and 1955, the 1st UK Edition, 1st impressions.
George Allen & Unwin, published in 1954, 1954, and 1955, the 1st UK Edition, 1st impressions.
The Fellowship of the Ring is a 1st impression published July 29th, 1954. One of 1500 printed for the UK.
The Two Towers is a 1st impression published November 11th, 1954. One of 2250 printed for the UK.
The Return of the King is a 1st impression published October 20th, 1955. This copy is the true 1st State, lacking the signature mark '4' and having the straight type on page 49. Correspondance with Wayne Hammond has indicated he has revised his original definition of the 1st state, from what was described in the Tolkien Bibliography, to this. All original maps are present and in Near Fine condition, a couple of foxing spots on the Fellowship map. All three books are in their original dustjackets, and none have any names or markings in the books. The dustjackets are not price clipped, and they have only the most minor edgewear or chips to the tips of the spine or folds. Some rubbing to the folds, and some light fading to the red lettering, still very legible. The Fellowship also has some offsetting on the endpapers, and some foxing spots on the text block edges. The text blocks are all clean, bright and tight, without any internal foxing or markings. A beautiful, collectable set of first editions of this classic of fantasy literature.

The Fellowship of the Ring is a 1st UK Edition, 1st impression with the book in Very Good Plus condition.
The gilt is bright and untarnished on the spine. The boards are very clean and bright, with virtually no shelf wear on the bottom edge, The front board shows some wrinkling from a bump or storage, which has slightly wrinkled the first few pages of the text block. The dustjacket is unclipped and shows beautifully. Only the most minor wear to the edges and folds. Very light tanning of the spine and some light soiling. A beautiful, correct 1st impression dustjacket, with a little fading to the red lettering on the spine.

The Two Tower's - 1st UK Edition, 1st impression, has the date (1954) on the title page, and no other printings listed, which would indicate a true 1st imp. Book is in Very Good Plus/Near Fine condition. No previous owner's name or writing, and with no offsetting on the endpapers. The boards are very clean and bright, with a minor bump to one corner, but very little shelf wear on the bottom edges, and no noticeable wear to the spine tips. Gilt is slightly tarnished, but still shows well. The dustjacket is not clipped, and has very light tanning on the spine, otherwise is only lightly soiled, again with a little fading to the red lettering on the spine. Virtually no chips or wear to the edges, and only the lightest rubbing, mainly at the fold of the flaps and tips of the spine. A lovely copy, in its correct and original 1st impression dustjacket, no repairs or restoration whatsoever.

The Return of the King - 1st UK Edition, 1st impression, true 1st state without the slipped type and signature mark '4' on page 49, as per Wayne Hammond's revised opinion. No writing or previous owners name, only a very light bit of foxing/offsetting on the free endpapers. The boards are very clean and bright, no bumped corners, and no shelf wear is evident. Gilt is again, slightly tarnished. The dustjacket is not clipped, and is only lightly tanned, with some light fading to the red lettering on the spine, but overall only lightly soiled. Only the slightest amount of edgewear at the bottom of the spine. The dustjacket is also the 1st State or issue, lacking the blurbs on the rear flap. A lovely example of the 1st impression book and original dustjacket.

A fantastic set of First Editions of this classic of fantasy literature, with a custom slipcase to protect and house these 'precious' books. 

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.   
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Interested: Please send email to info@tolkienlibrary.com.