The Hobbit, 1976 Folio/Allen & Unwin Deluxe Edition Variant
London: Folio/Allen and Unwin, 1976.
J.R.R. Tolkien. First Thus. Quarter Leather. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Near Fine / No Jacket, as Issued. Item #2614
The Hobbit, 1976 Folio 1st Impression, with the title page showing the George Allen & Unwin imprint and the verso shows the full Allen & Unwin print history. This is one of the two variants of the first Folio Society edition of The Hobbit. The book is in Near Fine condition without any scrapes or scuffs on the spine. The textblock is clean and bright, Near Fine in condition. The slipcase has protected the book well over the years. So this is the true 1st printing of the 1st Folio Edition, with the Folio 1979 maroon colored edition being the 2nd printing of the Folio edition (per Hammond). Lacking the Folio title page, this book is internally identical to the 1976 A&U Deluxe edition! Per Hammond, the Folio Society was to take the Deluxe edition papers and remove certain pages from the beginning (title page, copyright pg, etc) and replace them with the Folio pages. However, some very few of the books were bound by the Folio Society with all of the original Deluxe pages included and not replaced with Folio pages, but with the binding being the Folio format. Very Scarce indeed! Gilt is still bright and untarnished on this book, lacking the normal scrapes and scuffing to the leather on the spine. Very unusual and hard to find. Additional 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.
Price: $750.00 save 5% $712.50