TOLKIEN, J.R.R. [John Ronald Reuel].

THE LORD OF THE RINGS comprising THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING [with] THE TWO TOWERS [with] THE RETURN OF THE KING. Three Volumes. First Editions, Early Printings.

London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd., 1955-1956. Early Printings of the First Edition. Three volumes. Octavo, original red cloth lettered in gold within a golden ring design on spines, top edges stained red. Folding maps at rear of each volume. Volume One is the First Edition, Fifth Impression of 1956 (3,000 copies printed); Volume Two is the First Edition, Fourth Impression of 1956 (4,000 copies printed) (the dust jacket states "Third Impression" on the front flap), and Volume Three is the First Edition, Second impression of 1955 (4,000 copies printed). An integral set of the trilogy, obviously purchased new as a three volume set together in 1956, and which have remained together over the ensuing 70 years. There is a small bookseller's ticket from "Parkers of Oxford" on inner front endpaper of Vols 1 and 2 - Parker's Bookshop was located at Nos. 26 and 27 Broad Street, Oxford, and it was the only bookshop in Oxford to carry copies of Tolkien's 'Hobbit' upon it's initial publication in 1937. Tolkien carried on a correspondence for many years with Tony Hall, a bookseller at Parker's. Ink inscription to front flyleaf of Vol 1: "For Lisa & Tim, From the old generation to the next - this work for all ages. - Mixti - Christmas, 1978". Red dye to upper page edges slightly speckled; light browning to endleaves and the odd tiny stain, a very good, bright set in the original pictorial dust jackets bearing the iconic "Ring and Eye" device by Tolkien. The jackets have fairly uniform wear to the extremities, some splitting along the folds, Volume 1 has a horizontal closed tear, some bits of internal tape repair to all jackets, watersplash stains to the spines. Overall, the jackets present as fairly well worn and used but are essentially complete and they are integral to these copies. Overall, a very good set in good complete dust jackets, each of which retains the original price of 21s net on the jacket flaps. Housed in a bespoke handmade red card slipcase. Item #314675

¶ The First Edition of the last classic. A fantastical trilogy, The Lord of the Rings by John Ronald Reuel Tolkien is one of the greatest books of the twentieth century, containing amazing details of a new mythology, never surpassed, likely unsurpassable.

Price (CAD): $3,500.00