New York: Ballantine Books, 1973. J.R.R. Tolkien. 2nd Edition. Mass Market Paperback. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien. A four volume paperback set housed in the Publishers original Red pictorial slipcase, featuring the Heraldic symbols that were drawn by J.R.R. Tolkien. These illustrations include the ones designed to represent Feanor, Idril Celebrindal, Earendil, Luthien Tinuviel, Fingolfin, Elwe, Luthien Tinuviel and Finwe. This is one of the few published sets that includes all four books, The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. This is also the first set to feature the illustrations by J.R.R. Tolkien, as the covers of the book and slipcase, rather then the Barbara Remington designs as found on previous issues. These paperback books are in Near Fine condition, with almost no tanning to the spines. All four books appear unread, showing a slight crease to the Hobbit spine, no creases to the other spines. Still fit into the box, rather tightly as usual. No names or markings, the textblock is very clean and bright, unlike most sets from this era. The slipcase has a few rubs and bumps, mainly to the corners and edges, plus some to the bottom with some spots of color loss. Overall a Near Fine set in wonderful condition. The Hobbit is a 43rd printing, The Fellowship is a 43rd printing, The Two Towers is a 41st printing, and the Return of the King is a 39th printing all from September 1973. Hammond and Anderson's, A Descriptive Bibliography notes that "after the 40th (March 1973) and no later than the forty-second (September 1973)", the Hobbit was sold in sets with the Lord of the Rings, housed "in a slipcase, gold or red, printed paper over boards, featuring Heraldic devices by Tolkien." This design was used until 1983, when the covers were changed again. So this set is an early one from that period. Very unusual to find a set that has not been damaged after almost 50 years. A great find for the collector. Minor rubbing and bruising to the slipcase, showing some color loss, the only minor fault. 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. Item #2190

London: Philip Smith, 1970. Philip Smith. Soft Cover. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. The Lord of the Rings and other Bookbindings of Philip Smith. Signed by C Philip Smith to the top of the title page. Self published in London in 1970. The first part of the book is devoted to the renowned 'Lord of the Rings Wall of Books'. Very well illustrated in black and white, with technical notes on the binding process he used. The second part of the book deals with other superb bindings by this renowned bookbinding artist. The text is by Philip Smith in English with parallel French translation. The covers are silvered card with black printing - very difficult to photograph properly. The cover show some rubbing and creasing with minor color loss at the fold area. A minor amount of edgewear, but still in Very Good condition for it's 40 years of age. No previous owners names or writing noted. A very scarce and desired book, rarely available for the collector. 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. Item #1192

London, Sydney, Wellington: Unwin Hyman, 1988. First Thus. Hard Cover. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. The Lord of the Rings, One Volume Edition with the Index and Appendices, published by Unwin Hyman in 1988. This is the 1st impression of this lovely edition, featuring the dustjacket artwork by Roger Garland. A Near Fine copy of the book, in a New Custom Black Leather Slipcaset. This edition is a bit unusual and quite hard to find, especially in this lovely condiiton. The book is bound in blue cloth with gilt lettering to the spine, and features a navy blue silk ribbon marker. The book is in Near Fine condition with a minor split to the lower edge of the front gutter, with a small blue stain to the top edge of the text block, shown in the photos. The front and rear endpaper have a previous owners chop stamped in red ink to the pastedown side. This 1st impression lacks any maps, which were reinstated in the later impressions, and spread over the last few pages. No other writing or marks noted besides the chop mark. An excellent example of this wonderful edition, hard to find as likely limited in numbers issued by Unwin Hyman. 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. Item #2184

London: Allen & Unwin, 1969. J.R.R. Tolkien. First Thus. Original Cloth. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. The Lord of the Rings, De Luxe Edition, by George Allen & Unwin. This is the 1st impression of the one volume De Luxe Edition of the Lord of the Rings, published by Allen & Unwin in 1969. A Near Fine copy of the book, in a Near Fine slipcase. The book basically has no faults, clean and bright, no markings or wear. No previous owners names or writing noted. The case is in very nice condition, no bumped corners, hardly any rubbing or scuffs noted. This edition is printed on India Paper, making the full 3 volumes bound into a single volume, only 1 inch thick. The black buckram cloth has the Tolkien design depicting the Numenorean throne with 'Elendil' in tengwar, stamped on upper cover in gilt, silver and green. Mottled black and grey wove endpapers, all edges trimmed and speckled light green. Housed in the original publishers slipcase, only the first few impressions were issued with the slipcase. Both maps bound in, and in Fine condition, no tears or loss. An beautiful example of this wonderful edition. 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. Item #2011

Allen & Unwin, 1963. J.R.R. Tolkien. First Edition. Original Cloth. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien. Published by George Allen & Unwin, an early 1960's set of the UK 1st Editions. The Fellowship of the Ring is a 13th impression published in 1963. The Two Towers is an 10h impression published in 1963. The Return of the King is a 9th impression published in 1962. An exceptionally well preserved set of first editions of this classic of fantasy literature. The set is housed in the original publishers off white slipcase with the label on one side. The slipcase shows some water marks to the top and the surrounding edges, no bumps to the corners, very nice and bright condition, only very lightly soiled other than the damp stains. It has done a wonderful job and protected the books from almost any damage. The Fellowship shows a damp stain to the top of the spine, a small ink spot midway down, and some darkening to the spine of the book from the damp stain. Same previous owners name to the front pastedown of all three books, no other marks or writing to the books. No signs of foxing or offsetting in any of the books, or to the outer edges of the textblocks. Overall this set is in Very Good Plus condition, light soiling to the dustjackets, mostly to the spines, with minor rubbing and tiny bits of loss to the fold areas, a couple small closed tears to the spine folds on the Fellowship, no fading to the lettering. The text block is clean and bright. The red topstain is clean, without any spotting or fading. The exterior cloth is extremely clean, with the gilt slightly tarnished and bright, a bit more tarnished due to damp stain on The Fellowship. The books are still clean and tight, and the maps are attached, and in excellent condition, no extra folds or tears noted, a couple of small tears neatly repaired to the mounting edges of The Two Towers and Return of the King. The dustjackets are in great shape with only minor chips or tears to the edges, except the previously mentioned closed tears to the Fellowship. None are price clipped and are the original and correct impression for all three books. A beautiful First Edition set, still housed in the original Publishers Slipcase. A fabulous set for the collector, difficult to find in this lovely condition. 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. Item #2022

London: Allen & Unwin, 1974. J.R.R. Tolkien. 2nd Edition. Hard Cover. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien, published by Allen & Unwin. The Revised (2nd) Edition. Vol I: The Fellowship of the Ring is an 8th impression published in 1974. Vol II: The Two Towers is an 8th impression published in 1974. Vol III: The Return of the King is also an 8th impression, published in 1974. All three volumes are in Near Fine condition with the top edge stained red, clean and bright textblock, with no previous owners names or writing. The original red cloth boards show no spotting or soiling, no bumped corners, no faults. No foxing or offsetting to the endpapers. Original maps are in still in place, in excellent condition, one repaired tear at mounting edge, no other tears or extra folds. The dj's show beautifully without any chips or loss. The dustjackets are not price clipped. The is the later impressions of the 2nd Edition that appear with a differently colored background to the dustjackets. The Fellowship is a dark green color, the Two Towers is a purple color, and The Return a brown color. An opportunity to add these significant and collectable books to your collection. Custom made open ended black leather slipcase included in the price. Other Tolkien books available, include both the UK and US editions, original cloth bindings, custom fine bindings, and Signed/Numbered/Limited Editions. Item #2137

London: Allen & Unwin, 1966. J.R.R. Tolkien. First Thus. Hard Cover. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien. The UK Revised (2nd) Edition, published by George Allen & Unwin. Vol I: The Fellowship of the Ring is a 1st impression published in 1966. Vol II: The Two Towers is a 1st impression published in 1966, and Vol III: The Return of the King is a 1st impression, published in 1966. The Very Good Plus dustjackets are not price clipped, and on the inner flap is the blocked out misprinted title on the Two Towers and the Return of the King (1st State). The dustjackets show a bit of rubbing to the fold areas, and the ends of the spine have some rubbing and minor loss as well. All three books are in Near Fine condition, clean red boards, bright untarnished gilt, with unfaded top stain, clean and bright textblock. No previous owners name or any writing in any of the three books. Original maps are in still in place without any extra folds or tears noted. The dustjackets show quite well despite the light rubbing to the edges. Now protected in a black full leather slipcase featuring gilt stamped Tolkien's Ring & Eye device and Tolkien Monogram to back board. Modest price for this set of significant and collectable books. Digital photo's are 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. Item #2183

Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1965. J.R.R. Tolkien. Second Edition. Hard Cover. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien. 2nd US Edition, published by Houghton Mifflin, 1965 Second Editions, 14th/13th/13th impressions . This set is housed in it's original, very scarce Red Publishers Slipcase. A clean and bright set of this classic of fantasy literature, showing some light soiling, but no wear to the black cloth of the books. The set is in original cloth with the original priced non clipped dustjackets, now in removable archival protectors. The black cloth boards feature Tolkiens original "Ring & Eye" device stamped in various colors, with matching topstain and dustjacket color on each book. The books are all in Very Good Plus condition, with Very Good Plus dustjackets, showing a slight bit of fading to the spines and minor rubbing and some edgewear to the dustjackets. No previous owners names, or any other writing or markings whatsoever to the books. None of the books have the blindstamp on the rear boards, meaning these are true trade edition, not the very similar book club edition. The topstain on the books is unmarked and clean, a bit darkened. The set is housed in the original Red publishers slipcase in Very Good Plus condition, a couple of small scuff marks and minor wear to the corners, but no bumped corners, a very presentable scarce red slipcase. It appears that only one time in the many years of printings, did Houghton Mifflin furnish the red slipcase, all other years had a black case. Original maps are attached at the rear, in Fine condition, with no extra folds, one minor 1/2" tear on the Two Towers map mounting edge. 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. Item #2171

Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1954. J.R.R. Tolkien. 1st Edition. Original Cloth. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. The Lord of the Rings, published by Houghton Mifflin. A lovely First Edition First Impression set of the classic Lord of the Rings. Housed in a custom dark blue leather slipcase, to show and protect the set. The Fellowship of the Ring is the 1st US Impression, published in 1954. Has the date 1954 on the Title page. This copy is in its original dustjacket, with the correct issue points. The dustjacket shows a considerable chipping to the top and bottom of the spine, and some loss to the tips of the flap folds. The flap fold are starting to split in spots, but still in one piece. The spine of the dustjacket is somewhat faded, but still shows the golden color and red on the lettering. The boards are very nice, showing a little soiling to the edges, some shelf wear to the bottom, with the spine frayed and showing a little loss of color. The corners are not bumped, but again showing some shelfwear. A previous owners name and address to the front boards, along with a tape ghost at the bottom edge, no other writing. The endpapers show a little offsetting, and lightly tanned. The text block shows no markings or folded corners, clean & bright. The original map is present, unmarked, no tears or extra folds noted. The map shows the 1st state point of the red dot off the coast of Umbar. Overall, a beautiful Very Good copy of a very scarce and desirable book. The Two Towers is a 1st impression, published in 1955 with the date on the title page, in its original dustjacket, with the correct issue points of the "stripe" at the top and bottom of the front, the "notch" in the "R" of Towers, all points present and visible. These points are found only on the 1st impression dustjackets. The dustjacket has some edgewear to the folds and the ends of the spine. A pair of 1/2" closed tears to the bottom front corner and the top spine fold area, only minor color loss to the edges of the tears. The colors remain bright and vibrant, with only the most minor soiling. The book itself is Very Good Plus condition, no offsetting or foxing, and minimal soiling to the boards. The gilt remains bright and untarnished. The original map is present, unmarked, no tears or extra folds noted. This map also has the 1st state point of the red dot off the coast of Umbar. A beautiful copy, extremely scarce in this condition, with only 1,000 copies published. The Return of the King is a 1st impression, with the date, 1956 on the title page, indicating a true 1st Impression. The book also has the signature mark '4' on page 49, with the slipped type. The dustjacket shows no fading, and only the most minor chips or loss at the spine folds and tips of the flap folds. The rear panel shows quite a bit of soiling and staining to the flap fold areas, while the dark grey color doesn't appear to be faded or soiled to the front or spine, only the white back panel and flaps. The dustjacket also shows the first state point of the "larger, bolder" dollar sign, with the double uprights extended. The dustjacket does show a couple of fold overs on the upper corner on the front flap, now straightened. The boards are very clean and bright, no soiling, gilt still bright, no shelfwear noted. The corners don't show any bumping. Some age darkening to the endpapers, but no names or writing. The map is present and shows no tears or extra folds, clean and bright. The text block is clean, with no markings or folded corners. Another very nice copy of an extremely collectable book. Overall the set presents beautifully, with nice colors, only the most minor chipping and loss at a few corners. All maps are present, and in Very Good Plus condition. An extremely scarce set, in collectable condition. 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. Item #2159

London: Guild Publishing, 1988. J.R.R. Tolkien. 2nd Edition. Hard Cover. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien. The Revised (2nd) Edition. Vol I: The Fellowship of the Ring is a Third impression. Vol II: The Two Towers is also a Third impression. Vol III: The Return of the King is also a Third impression, of the 1988 publication by Guild Publishing by arrangement with Unwin Hyman, and features the pastoral dustjackets, found on the Unwin Hyman publications. The books have no topstain, with all edges clean and bright, no foxing or markings to the text. All three maps are present and mounted to the last free endpaper of the books. This is an unusual and hard to find set published in 1988. All three volumes are in Near Fine condition with a clean bright edges, clean and bright textblock, and in Near Fine unclipped and only slightly faded dustwrappers, showing no edgewear, no rubbing or missing chips No bumped corners to the books, no previous owners names or writing. There are basically no faults to these books, still bright and tight. No shelfwear to the bottom of the boards, no previous owners names or any writing. No foxing or offsetting to any of the books. A custom full leather slipcase, featuring the large Ring & Eye device, as well as Tengwar Title & Author, along with the JRRT Monogram to the rear, to house and protect this lovely The Lord of the Rings set, in fabulous condition. They may have been read, but exhibit no spine lean, or damaged edges or spines. The dj's show beautifully without the usual rubbing and wear to the spine edges and corners. Modest price for this set of significant and collectable books. Other Tolkien books available, include both the UK and US editions, original cloth bindings, custom fine bindings, and Signed/Numbered/Limited Editions. Item #2187

London: Unwin Hyman, 1987. J.R.R. Tolkien. 2nd Edition. Hard Cover. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien. The Revised (2nd) Edition. Vol I: The Fellowship of the Ring is a 17th impression. Vol II: The Two Towers is a 15th impression. Vol III: The Return of the King is a 15th impression, all from 1987, the 2nd printing of this style set by Unwin Hyman. None of these books have any topstain, but are clean and white. The maps are all present, only the The Fellowship map has a small amount of folding to the mounting side edge. This is an unusual and hard to find set published by Unwin Hyman in 1987. All three volumes are in Near Fine condition with a clean bright edges, clean and bright textblock, and in Near Fine unclipped dustwrappers, showing no edgewear or rubbing. The dustjackets have no fading to the spines, or to the colored lettering. No bumped corners to the books, no previous owners names or writing. There are basically no major faults to these books, crisp, tight and bright. No shelfwear to the bottom of the boards, no previous owners names or any writing. No foxing or offsetting to any of the books. The original publishers Green paper covered slipcase to house and protect this classic Lord of the Rings set, is in less than fabulous condition, showing quite a few scuffs to the edges, the top is bowed up a bit, and the top back was split, now neatly repaired. The books may have been read, but exhibit no spine lean, or damaged edges or spines. Modest price for this set of significant and collectable books. Other Tolkien books available, include both the UK and US editions, original cloth bindings, custom fine bindings, and Signed/Numbered/Limited Editions. Item #2168