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 covered 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. As this set is still sealed it is not possible to tell the exact printing or publishing date, however the exterior of the case does note the Heraldry designs are copyright of George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1973. Also the numbers on the spines of the books match up with another set that all were issued in September of 1973, one of the earliest sets in this edition. 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 from that period, 1973 - 1983. Very unusual to find a set that has not been opened after 30 or 40 years. The case shows no bumped corners, shrinkwrap is still intact with a few scattered holes and splits to the shrinkwrap that are common, and the spines of the four books are in perfect condition. They do not appear to be faded or tanned in any way. A perfect find for the collector. Interior photos and photos of the covers are from another opened set, just for illustrative purposes. 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 #2026

London: Harper Collins, 2009. Bill Sanderson. De Luxe Edition. Full-Leather. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun, The number 314 of 500 of the UK Signed Limited Numbered Super Deluxe Edition, published by Harper Collins in 2009, the first publication of a previously unknown work by J.R.R. Tolkien. Copy number 314, edited and signed by his son, Christopher Tolkien, to the Limitation Notice. The story tells the epic story of the Norse hero Sigurd the dragon slayer, the revenge of his wife, Gudrun, and the Fall of the Niflungs. From the publisher's release statement, "Many years ago, J.R.R. Tolkien composed his own version, now published for the first time, of the great legend of Northern antiquity, in two closely related poems to which he gave the titles The New Lay of the Volsungs and The New Lay of Gudrun. In the Lay of the Volsungs is told the ancestry of the great hero Sigurd, the slayer of Fafnir most celebrated of dragons, whose treasure he took for his own; of his awakening of the Valkyrie Brynhild who slept surrounded by a wall of fire, and of their betrothal; and of his coming to the court of the great princes who were named the Niflungs (or Nibelungs), with whom he entered into blood-brotherhood. In that court there sprang great love but also great hate, brought about by the power of the enchantress, mother of the Niflungs, skilled in the arts of magic, of shape-changing and potions of forgetfulness. In scenes of dramatic intensity, of confusion of identity, thwarted passion, jealousy and bitter strife, the tragedy of Sigurd and Brynhild, of Gunnar the Niflung and Gudrun his sister, mounts to its end in the murder of Sigurd at the hands of his blood-brothers, the suicide of Brynhild, and the despair of Gudrun. In the Lay of Gudrun her fate after the death of Sigurd is told, her marriage against her will to the mighty Atli, ruler of the Huns (the Attila of history), his murder of her brothers the Niflung lords, and her hideous revenge. Deriving his version primarily from his close study of the ancient poetry of Norway and Iceland known as the Poetic Edda (and where no old poetry exists, from the later prose work the Volsunga Saga), J.R.R. Tolkien employed a verse-form of short stanzas whose lines embody in English the exacting alliterative rhythms and the concentrated energy of the poems of the Edda." -- Christopher Tolkien. Features a color frontispiece of a facsimile page from J.R.R. Tolkien's original manuscript. Fully bound in Brown Leather with matching full leather clamshell case, stamped in gold foil with a unique motif of Sigurd's horse, Grani. Printed on superior quality paper and including a silk ribbon marker sewn into the textblock. One lightly bumped corner, upper front, the only minor fault to this lovely collectible copy. Matches the recently released UK Signed Limited Numbered Super Deluxe Edition of The Children of Hurin. 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 #2024

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: Harper Collins, 2002. J.R.R. Tolkien. Limited. Quarter Leather. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien. Harper Collins Publishers, the 2002 4th printing of the 1997 Deluxe Limited Edition. Printed on India Paper to reduce the size to approximately 1". Quarter Bound in Black Leather with Gilt title, Author, and Publisher to the spine. Matching in size and design the Harper Collins Limited Editions of The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, and The History of Middle Earth Series. Has the large JRRT Monogram gilt stamped on front boards. Housed in original publishers faux leather slipcase with the JRRT Monogram gilt stamped to the exterior, matching the gilt design on the book. All edges gilded, showing no markings or rubs. A beautiful example of the Limited Deluxe Edition in Near Fine 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 #2020

London: Allen & Unwin, 1966. J.R.R. Tolkien. 1st Edition, Hobbits, Lord of the Rings, Hard Cover. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. The Lord of the Rings, Comprised of The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King, by J.R.R. Tolkien. Published by George Allen and Unwin in 1965 and 1966, these books are later impressions of the 1st UK Edition, originally published in 1954/1954/1955 respectively. The Fellowship of the Rings is a 15th impression published in 1966. The Two Towers is a 12th impression published in 1966. The Return of the King is an 11th impression published in 1965. All three books have their correct impression, non price clipped original dustjackets, in Near Fine condition showing some light rubbing and almost no tanning to the spines, with no loss to the edges or fold areas. The front of the Two Towers and the back of the Return dustjackets are a little tanned from being held tightly together over the eyars, where the Fellowship shows no such tanning. The books are in Near Fine condition with no offsetting or foxing, no previous owners names or markings in any of the books. The gilt to all three books clean and bright, no soiling or marks to the bright red cloth. Each book has it's own original foldout map tipped in at the rear, and all are in excellent condition with no tears or extra folds noted. A custom red leather slipcase, featuring Tolkien's Ring & Eye motif and Tengwar Titles and Author to the front, the JRRT Monogram to the rear, to house and protect this wonderful 1st Edition set of 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. Item #2018

Boston, New York, London: Houghton Mifflin, 1992. Alan Lee. First Thus. Hard Cover. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien. Comprised of The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. Published by Houghton Mifflin in 1992, a three volume set housed in the original publishers blue slipcase. The slipcase shows some rubbing to the edges and corners, with color loss, but no splits to the seams. The books feature Alan Lee's Illustrations that were commissioned to celebrate the Centenary of Tolkiens Birth. Only one printing of this lovely set was ever published. All three of these books have the date under the publisher on the title page, a Houghton Mifflin point for the 1st printings, as well as the full numberline 1 thru 10 on the verso of the title page. The dustjackets feature some of Alan Lee's most famous illustrations, with a Silver Band to the top and bottom with the runes in black. All dustjackets in Near Fine condition with almost no rubbing to the silver bands. A beautiful virtually unmarked set bound in blue cloth with the JRRT monogram stamped in silver to the front boards of the books. No previous owners name to any of the books, none are price clipped, all in extraordinary beautiful condition. All original illustrations by Alan Lee thru the 3 books. You can follow how the recent movies were first visualized by Lee, and carried thru by Peter Jackson, with Lee's assistance throughout the movie's production. An exceptional set of books, only one printing of these books were ever produced. This separate three book set, makes handling and viewing much less of a problem then the single volume editions that were large and awkward to handle. 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 #2015

Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1955. J.R.R. Tolkien. First Edition. Hard Cover. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien. Published by Houghton Mifflin, 1955/1955/1956 1st Editions, 3rd imp./2nd imp./1st Impression respectively. A beautiful set of first editions of this classic of fantasy literature. The set is housed in a custom red leather slipcase to show and protect this beautiful set. The set is all original cloth with the correct original dustjackets. The Fellowship of the Ring corresponds to the 4th impression of the UK 1st Edition, but is the 3rd US impression, as Houghton Mifflin did not order any of the 2nd UK impressions. The Very Good dustjacket of the Fellowship has clean bright colors with the flap folds starting to split, a few chips missing along both front and back flap folds, but very little loss to the tips of the spine. The rear panel has very little soiling to the white areas, and minor loss at the spine folds. The Two Towers Very Good Plus dustjacket exhibits all the correct issue points for this early copy, including the "stripe, gap and cufflink" points. There is only minor rubbing at the spine fold areas with minor loss or chips, a couple of closed tears, barely visible, beautiful bright colors, a tiny bit of tanning to the spine, hardly noticeable. The Fellowship dustjacket has the photo of Tolkien in a 'V' on the rear panel with the top of the "T" clipped, is not priced, and has the 'w' nicked on the front flap, line 11, the correct issue points for this 3rd impression. The Return of the King dustjacket is not price clipped and has the oversized '5' in the price with double uprights, the correct issue point for a true 1st Impression. The Very Good Plus dustjacket on The Return of the King shows some rubbing with a little loss at the spine tips and along the flap fold with minor rubbing to the tips. The books are tight and clean without any previous owners name or writing noted, except booksellers $5.00 price on dustjacket flap and pastedown on the Fellowship. No foxing or offsetting to the first two books, but a little offsetting to the Return. No bumped corners, the exterior of the books are clean and bright, no tarnish to the gilt stampings. Yellow topstain is faded on The Two Towers and Return of the King. Besides being a truly beautiful looking set, this set is very scarce and collectable. The original maps are present in all three volumes, no extra folds or tears noted. The full red leather slipcase is felt lined, and stamped with Tolkiens Ring & Eye Design with Tengwar Title and Author, the JRRT Monogram to the rear panel. Additional digital images can be supplied on request. Other Tolkien books available, include both the UK and US editions, original cloth bindings, custom fine bindings, and Signed/Numbered/Limited Editions. A wonderful addition to anyone's Tolkien collection. Item #2012

Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1967. J.R.R. Tolkien. 2nd Edition. Hard Cover. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. The Lord of the Rings, 2nd US Edition, 1st Impression Set in Publishers Slipcase. Published by Houghton Mifflin , 1967 Second Editions, 1st impressions with date on Title Page to all three volumes, stated "First Printing W" on title verso. A clean and bright set of this classic of fantasy literature. The set is in original cloth with original dustjackets showing some minor wear along the edges and minor chipping to the spine of The Fellowship dustjacket, and a publisher's slipcase showing some minor rubbing. The black cloth boards feature Tolkiens original "Ring & Eye" device stamped in various colors, matching the topstain and dustjacket colors of each book. The set is all Very Good Plus. Neat gift inscription mostly hidden by the front flap on The Fellowship, no other names or writing noted. Some light wear at the edges of the dustjackets, and the some light fading of the spines is evident, along with the previously mentioned rubs. Dustjackets are not price clipped and show the correct $6.00 price on each, and are now housed in archival protectors. Maps are still attached in all three books, and show a minor repaired tear on The Fellowship map, no other tears or misfolds noted. A lovely set, significant for the collector, being the 1st impression of the 2nd US 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 #2000

London: Readers Union, 1960. J.R.R. Tolkien. First Edition. Hard Cover. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien. A beautiful set of this unusual presentation of Tolkien's trilogy. Not for sale to the general public, limited to members of the Readers Union only. Published by the Readers Union in 1960 with the permission of George Allen & Unwin Ltd, London. The books are in Near Fine condition, with no names or writing, and a slight amount of offsetting to the endpapers. Housed in the original dustjackets, all are Very Good Plus condition, having a bit of loss to the top and bottom of the spine ends, and the corners of the fold areas, a couple of closed tears. Previous owner has used clear tape on the back of the dustjacket to reinforce and stop any further damage to the fragile dustjackets. one of the dustjackets are price clipped, and they show a bit of light tanning to the spines. These unusual dustjackets are in Very Good Plus condition, and show beautifully. All maps are tipped in at the rear, and in excellent condition, no tears or misfolds noted. This set features a line drawing by an unnamed artist for The Readers Union, of 'Sauron's Eye'. The only set to have this particular and very unusual dustjacket. Scarce in this lovely condition. Includes a custom leather slipcase with gold foil stamping for display and protection of these beautiful 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. Item #1996

London: Allen & Unwin, 1982. J.R.R. Tolkien. Original Cloth. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. The Lord of the Rings, De Luxe India Paper Edition, by George Allen & Unwin. This is the 8th impression of the 1 Volume De Luxe Edition of the Lord of the Rings, published by Allen & Unwin in 1982. A Near Fine copy of the book, in a Near Fine case, with the label to the front. The book basically has no faults, clean and bright. The case has no bumped corners, or split seams and only the most minor darkening to the label. 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. Both maps bound in, and in Fine condition, no tears or loss. No previous owners names or writing. Still has the onionskin wrapper, a bit worn, but still with the book and case. An excellent 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 #1994

London: Allen & Unwin, 1956. J.R.R. Tolkien. 2nd Edition. Hard Cover. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. The Hobbit, or There and Back Again, by J.R.R. Tolkien. Published by Allen & Unwin in 1956, this is the 8th impression. The book is in Very Good Plus condition, with a moisture mark to the back panel cloth. The rest of covers are clean and unmarkedl. No previous owners names or writing noted. The second blank page has a closed tear, approximately 2 inches long, now neatly repaired. A few scattered foxing spots to the first blank page, and another shows on the title and contents page. The dustjacket is price clipped front and rear, with the publishers new price printed to the front flap. Two months into production of the 7th Impression of the Hobbits, along with the remaining original 7th Impression dustjackets, Allen & Unwin changed the price as found on this true UK 7th impression dustjacket. The jackets were price clipped -- both front and rear flap -- by Allen & Unwin publishing company itself, with their new price of 12s.6d overprinted below the impression notation on the front flap. So this copy is one with the overprinted price of 12s 6d. A bit of soiling and a small moisture mark to the flap edges and to the white areas of the dustjacket, with the spine slightly darkened. The verso of the dustjacket also shows some darkening, but does not seem to have transferred to the book itself. There is a moisture stain and some green color transferred from the books cover to the back of the dustjacket, but does not show on the exterior of the dustjacket. The back panel of the book shows the moisture mark with some color loss to the cloth. The dustjacket shows some edgewear and with minor color loss, a small closed tear to the spine fold area, with a larger chip missing at the top of the spine, and almost no loss to the bottom. Tips of the flap folds show some minor loss. The original green cloth features dark blue stamping of Tolkien's own design, the iconic Mountains and Dragon. The title verso has the full printing history up to this 8th impression of 1956. Colors are bright and the white areas are only lightly soiled, with minor tanning of the spine. Edges of the text block are clean and unfoxed, with the topstain unfaded but showing a large moisture mark. A beautiful copy, of an early printing, of this much sought after children's classic. Additional digital images 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 #1987

Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1957. J.R.R. Tolkien. 2nd Edition. Original Cloth. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. The Hobbit, or There and Back Again, by J.R.R. Tolkien. A beautiful copy of an extremely scarce early Hobbit. The 1957 printing, of the 2nd Edition (1951), or the 9th printing overall (1937). This copy is a stated 9th impression from the dustjacket, published by Houghton Mifflin from sheets imported from Great Britain. Stated 9th impression on front flap, not priced or clipped, noted as printed in Great Britain on the title verso. The 9th is the last impression with only 1000 sheets imported from Allen & Unwin, also lacking the printing history on title verso to help them circumvent the import restrictions and US copyright laws. Later impression had 2500 or more copies imported, making the later impressions much easier to find today. This book features the original dustjacket with the Mountains and Dragon design by the author. The dustjacket shows some light tanning to the spine but very little tanning or soiling to the white areas of the dustjacket. The boards show no soiling or marking, clean and bright with a little rubbing or shelfwear, mainly to the tips and the spine edges. The text block is clean and bright, without foxing or any markings. No previous owners names or any writing noted. No bumped corners and the most minor or rubbing or shelfwear to the edges. The dustjacket, is in Near Fine condition, showing on the most minor of rubbing, with a few very small flecks of color loss, to the top and bottom of the spine and flap folds. The panels are in wonderful condition, no tears, foxing or any soiling to speak of. A small amount of rubbing and minor loss to the tips of the flap fold areas. A beautiful clean copy, one of the copies with the teal boards stamped in blue, that are very hard to find. Contains the full color frontispiece "The Hill: Hobbiton-across-the Water", as well as the original line drawings by Tolkien. The maps are in excellent condition, with the red and black ink still showing clear and bright against the endpapers, a very small bit of browning to the gutters. Both maps have no foxing, very clean. A highly collectable copy, scarce in this lovely Near Fine/Near Fine 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 #1985

London: Folio Society, 1990. Ingahild Grathmer & Drawn By Eric Fraser. First Thus. Hard Cover. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. A beautiful, Very Good Plus set of the second style of binding issued by the Folio Society in 1990. Printed in Great Britain, set in Barbou with Libra Display type, bound in full "Elephant-Hide" at the Bath Press in Avon. This binding features the "Seven (Silver) Rings for the Dwarf-lords", within "Three (Gold) Rings for the Elven-kings", surrounded by "Nine (Red) Rings for Mortal Men", encompassed by the "One Ring" (Gold) "to rule them all". Wonderful symbology, and beautiful execution to form the gilt design for the front boards of each book. Topstain in a dark 'blood red' color. This set of books shows some light rubbing to the boards from handling. Housed in the original publishers slipcase in Very Good condition as well, with some light general rubbing. A beautiful set, hard 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 #1981