Tolkien, J[ohn] R[onald] R[euel]. The Lord Of The Rings.
3 volumes: The Fellowship of the Ring The Two Towers The Return of the King First editions, first Impressions.
George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1954-1955
First editions, first impressions.

Volume one: The Fellowship of the Ring,1954, 424pp., + folding map in the rear. 3000 copies were printed .
Volume two: The Two Towers, 1954, 353pp., + folding map in the rear. 3250 copies were printed. With the errors on pp. 111 and 350. (Hammond-Anderson p. 98)
Volume three The Return of the King, 1955, 416pp., + folding map in the rear. 7000 copies were printed. With the signature mark '4' and the slipped type on page 49 and the errors on pp. 31 101 and 209 (Hammond-Anderson p. 98 )

Octavo, In a splendid new full maroon leather binding by the Temple Bindery of Oxford (Ian Barnes)
5 traditional raised bands, panelled spines double-ruled in gilt, gilt ring and eye embossed devices to the front boards, Gilt inner dentelles.
2 black leather title labels on the spines, top edges stained red.

The 2 first volumes were Philip Toynbee's personal copies and he must have referred to them in his now infamous 1961 Observer "In our time" article, where a.o. he wrote: "...most of his more ardent supporters were soon beginning to sell out their shares in Professor Tolkien, and to-day those books have passed into a merciful oblivion."

Housed in a custom-made dark red velvet lined cloth slip case.

An exquisite set. With letter by previous owner David Snowdon who received the volumes 1 and 2 as a gift from Philip Toynbee in 1977. David is mentioned several times in Toynbee's book "Part of a journey" (1981) wwhich covers a period between 1977 and 1979 when both were members of "The Barn House Community"

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.