London: Harper Collins, 2014. J.R.R. Tolkien. First Edition. Hard Cover. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Beowulf, A Translation and Commentary, Together with Sellic Spell, UK De Luxe Edition. Published by Harper Collins in 2014. From the blurb, 'The translation of Beowulf by J.R.R. Tolkien was an early work, very distinctive in its mode, completed in 1926: he returned to it later to make hasty corrections, but seems never to have considered its publication. This edition is twofold, for there exists an illuminating commentary on the text of the poem by the translator himself, in the written form of a series of lectures given at Oxford in the 1930s; and from these lectures a substantial selection has been made, to form also a commentary on the translation in this book. From his creative attention to detail in these lectures there arises a sense of the immediacy and clarity of his vision. It is as if he entered into the imagined past: standing beside Beowulf and his men shaking out their mail-shirts as they beached their ship on the coast of Denmark, listening to the rising anger of Beowulf at the taunting of Unferth, or looking up in amazement at Grendel's terrible hand set under the roof of Heorot. But the commentary in this book includes also much from those lectures in which, while always anchored in the text, he expressed his wider perceptions. He looks closely at the dragon that would slay Beowulf 'snuffling in baffled rage and injured greed when he discovers the theft of the cup'; but he rebuts the notion that this is 'a mere treasure story', 'just another dragon tale'. He turns to the lines that tell of the burying of the golden things long ago, and observes that it is 'the feeling for the treasure itself, this sad history' that raises it to another level. 'The whole thing is sombre, tragic, sinister, curiously real. The "treasure" is not just some lucky wealth that will enable the finder to have a good time, or marry the princess. It is laden with history, leading back into the dark heathen ages beyond the memory of song, but not beyond the reach of imagination' Sellic Spell, a 'marvellous tale', is a story written by Tolkien suggesting what might have been the form and style of an Old English folk-tale of Beowulf, in which there was no association with the 'historical legends' of the Northern kingdoms.' This De Luxe Edition includes the complete text and has the following special features. A colour frontispiece presenting J.R.R. Tolkien's painting of a coiled dragon together with two versions of Grendel's Mere. Quarter-bound with grey boards, stamped in gold foil with the coiled dragon motif, and housed in a matching custom-built slipcase. Printed on superior quality paper and including a silk ribbon marker. This book is a First impression in Near Fine condition, lacking the flyer/advertisement page. Has no markings, no bumped corners, no previous owners name. 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 #2175

London: Harper Collins, 2018. Alan Lee. First Trade. Original Cloth. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. The Fall of Gondolin, by J.R.R. Tolkien. Published by Harper Collins in 2018, a 1st impression, signed by the illustrator Alan Lee. No faults, no bumps, As New. "A brand new standalone tale of Middle-earth, the third and final of J.R.R. Tolkien's 'Great Tales" "Using the original manuscripts and many sources spaced over decades, Christopher Tolkien has constructed a linked narrative of the first real story of Tolkien's imaginary world. Includes a red and black Map of Beleriand drawn by Christopher Tolkien, which appears as a fold out sheet. Eight color paintings and fifteen pencil sketches, specially commissioned from award winning artist, Alan Lee. Includes a preface and chapter by Christopher Tolkien on the evolution and writing of the tale. Housed in a custom black leather slipcase, stamped in gold with custom device to the front boards, Tolkien JRRT Monogram to the rear boards, no previous owners names, or any other markings, As New. 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 #2207

U.S.A. Houghton Mifflin, 1983. First Edition. Hard Cover. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Finn and Hengest, The Fragment and the Episode, by J.R.R. Tolkien, edited by Alan Bliss. Published by Houghton Mifflin in 1983, this is the First American Edition, 1st Impression. From the blurb, Tolkien's 'most significant contribution to Anglo-Saxon studies is to be found in his lectures on the story of Finn and Hengest, two fifth-century heroes in northern Europe. The story is told in two Old English poems, Beowulf and The Fight at Finnesburg, but told so obscurely and allusively that its interpretation has been a matter of controversy for more than a hundred years. As elucidated by Tolkien the story is a classic tragedy of divided loyalties, of vengeance, blood and death; it had the added interest that the Hengest who plays the leading role in it was very probably the Hengest who led the first Germanic invasion of Britain, and that the events it describes immediately preceded that first invasion.' 'It was Professor Tolkien's own wish that the preparation for publication of his work on Finn and Hengest should be undertaken by Alan Bliss, who studied under him from 1946 to 1948. From three separate sets of lecture notes, ranging in date from before 1930 to after 1960 Professor Bliss has pieced together a coherent statement of Tolkien's latest views expressed entirely in his own words.' The book and dustjacket are both in Near Fine condition, slight bit of fading to the spine, no names, marks, or writing noted. No foxing or offsetting, with the text block clean and bright. A lovely copy for the Tolkien collector, very 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 #2038

London: Allen & Unwin/Unwin Hyman/Harper Collins, 1983. J.R.R. Tolkien. First Edition. Original Cloth. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. The History of Middle Earth, Volumes 1 - 12. All 1st Impressions with Custom Slipcases A complete History of Middle Earth, in Twelve Volumes, housed in 3 custom leather slipcases. All 12 volumes are Near Fine in Near Fine dustjackets. Only the lightest of rubbing to the dustjackets, no chipping or tears, a bit more edgewear to book #4. An outstanding set for the collector. Allen and Unwin first printings of the first 4 volumes, Unwin Hyman first printings of the second 4 volumes, and Harper Collins first printings of the final 4 volumes. Only #3 and #4 of the 12 volumes are price clipped. Points of issue on the 12 books are as follows: No price on dustjacket #2, #7, #9, & #11. Price on dustjackets #5, #6, #8, #10, & #12. A&U price sticker on #1. No names or writing in any of the books. No foxing or offsetting inside any of the books, there is some foxing to the outer edge of the textblock on a number of the books. The first four books, published by Allen & Unwin have the topstain on the top edge. The final 3 volumes have the lightest toning to the edges of the text block, with #12 being more toned as so often found. Edited by Christopher Tolkien from his father's manuscripts, detailing the evolution of Tolkien's life long works dealing with Middle Earth. Custom black leather covered slipcases to house and protect this lovely collection. 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 #2119

London: Harper Collins, 2002. J.R.R. Tolkien. First Thus. Hard Cover. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. History of Middle-Earth 3 Volume Box Set, by J.R.R. Tolkien. Published by Harper Collins in 2002, these have the full number line from 1 - 9. Edited by Christopher Tolkien, who collected the vast amount of manuscripts, maps and illustrations, left by his father and edited them into 12 volumes which were published as the History of Middle-Earth. Book I is the first five books collected into one, and represent work done during the 1920s and 30s and fully relate the early history of The Silmarillion. Book II is comprised of the middle four books, and relates the full and unique account of the creation of The Lord of the Rings. Book III is comprised of the last 3 books, and relates to the later history of the Silmarillion along with the account of writing of the Prologue and Appendices to The Lord of the Rings, that links these two works thru the historical structure of the Ages. The 3 volumes are all in Near Fine condition, in Near Fine dustjackets, now protected in archival protectors. A beautiful set, undamaged, as many were in the shipping from the publisher. A very hard to find set, let alone one with the publishers slipcase. 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 #2165

Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2007. J.R.R. Tolkien. 1st Edition, Hobbits, Lord of the Rings, Hard Cover. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. The History of the Hobbit, a 3 volume set from Houghton Mifflin with the Hobbit being a 75th Anniversary Edition from Houghton Mifflin. The two History of the Hobbit books are the 1st impression of 2007. A beautiful set of the definitive examination of how Tolkien came to write his original masterpiece, including the complete unpublished draft and little-known illustrations and unpublished maps, along with the 75th Anniversary Edition of the classic work itself. These books are in Near Fine condition, with no previous owners name or any other writing in the books. Dustjackets are in a protective mylar jacket, with none of the books price clipped. The books are housed in a custom full leather slipcase w/ribbon pull, stamped with Hanging Dragon version of Tolkien's Dragon. 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 #2275

New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1984. Michael Hague. First Thus. Hard Cover. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. This later edition was published in 1984 by Houghton Mifflin. It is the 1st Impression, with the full numberline and date to the title page. First Thus as it contains numerous illustrations by Michael Hague. No writing or marks, Near Fine. 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 #2211

London: Folio Society, 2001. Ingahild Grathmer and drawn by Eric Fraser. Hard Cover. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. A complete set of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, which include The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion. The Hobbit was published by the Folio Society in 2001, the 5th impression. The Lord of the Rings is the 6th impression of 2001. The Silmarillion is an 8th impression of 2013. All are illustrated by Eric Fraser, Ingahild Grathmer, and Francis Mosley respectively. A wonderful matched set made of high quality acid free paper, and bound in full vegetable parchment to create a beautiful set of Tolkien's primary works. All three issues are housed in their own separate publishers slipcase, and are in Near Fine condition. No writing, no marks, no faults. All are unread, crisp and tight, clean and bright. 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 #2204

London: Unwin Paperbacks, 1979. J.R.R. Tolkien. First Thus. Mass Market Paperback. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. The Lord of the Rings, the 25th Anniversary Collection, by J.R.R. Tolkien. This set was published by Unwin Paperbacks in 1979 to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the publication of the Lord of the Rings. This set is housed in the Original Publishers slipcase, Silver with Black, and includes the 16 page fully illustrated anniversary booklet. This set of books is in Very Good Plus condition, with a slight bit of creasing to the spine of The Fellowship, none to the other two books, with only minor rubbing and a couple of small folded over edges. No names or other markings to the books. The booklet is in very nice condition, no marks, no tears, a slight bit of tanning to the exterior edges. 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 #2196

London: Harper Collins, 2014. First Thus. Hard Cover. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. Published by Harper Collins in 2014, the 60th Anniversary Edition, a four volume boxed set featuring Tolkien's original unused dustjacket designs, together with the fourth volume, A Reader's Companion, which includes special features and the definitive edition of the text. This set is still sealed in the publishers shrinkwrap, with one slightly bumped upper rear corner of the slipcase. I doubt if it has bumped the corner of the book, but it is possible. 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 #1533

London: Allen & Unwin, 1962. J.R.R. Tolkien. First Edition. Original Cloth. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" 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 George Allen & Unwin, 1962 1st Editions, 12th imp/9th imp/9th imp. An original and lovely set of first editions of this classic of fantasy literature. The books are housed in the original publishers slipcase, showing some wear and rubbing to the edges, with a little soiling and fading to the label and the exterior of the box, which appears it may have been painted at some point in the past. The books are in Near Fine/Very Good Plus condition, with no previous owners name or writing to the exceptionally clean and bright endpaper of each volume. The exterior cloth is clean and bright, with a few light dampstains to the Two Towers, the rest show no stains to the nice bright red cloth, with the gilt untarnished and bright. The books are clean and tight, and the maps are attached in each volume, and show no extra folds or tears. The Fellowship has a burn mark to the upper edge of the textblock, effects the last four pages, but doesn't exceed a couple mm's in depth. The original dustjackets are complete and the correct impression for the books. The dj's are in Very Good condition with some rubbing and edgewear, with some loss, mostly to the tips of the spine and fold areas. The dustjackets show considerable tanning but no fading to the spines. The entry edges of the slipcase show some wear along with a short split to the upper entry corners, but it has protected the books very well for almost 60 years. 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 #2272

London, Sydney, Wellington: Unwin Hyman, 1989. 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 2nd impression (1989) of this lovely edition, featuring the dustjacket artwork by Roger Garland. A Near Fine copy of the book, in a New Custom Dark Blue 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, basically no faults. No previous owners names or any other writing noted. The 1st impressions were issued without any maps, which were reinstated in this impressions, and are spread over the last few pages of the book. 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 #2298

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 a dark blue leather custom slipcase featuring the Centenary Logo stamped in silver to the sides . 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 Very Good condition with a bit of rubbing to the silver band mainly at the fold areas. The is also a repaired tear on the Two Towers spine fold area, shown in photos. A very uncommon and hard to find set. A beautiful unmarked set bound in blue cloth with the JRRT monogram stamped in silver to the front boards of the books. No previous owners names or markings, not price clipped, in lovely 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. Housed in custom dark blue leather slipcase featuring the Centenary Logo in silver stamped to both side panels. 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 #2270