George Allen & Unwin, 1955/55/55 1st UK Edition.  

The Fellowship of the Ring is a 3rd impression published in January 1955.  
The Two Towers is a 2nd impression published 1955, with the date (1955) on the title page, which identifies it as a true 2nd impression.  
The Return of the King is a 1st impression dated 1955, the 1st State with the signature mark '4' and the infamous slipped type on page 49, as per Hammond and Anderson.  

All original maps are present and in Near Fine condition.  
All three books are in their original Very Good Plus dustjackets, with almost no tanning, and in beautiful matched condition.  
None are price clipped, and have only the most minor of chipping or loss to the edges.
All orignal maps are present and in Near Fine condition.   

A beautiful Near Fine/Very Good Plus set of first editions of this classic of fantasy literature.  
A custom slipcase to house these treasures is included in the price.   
 
Fellowship of the Ring - 1st UK Edition, 3rd impression.
Book is in Near Fine condition, with previous owners names and inscription to the front endpaper, no other writing.  
The gilt is bright and untarnished on the spine.  
The boards are very clean and bright, with no shelf wear on the bottom edge.
The dustjacket is unclipped and shows beautifully, a small chip to the front upper flap fold.
No tanning of the spine and only the lightest soiling, a beautiful, correct 3rd impression dustjacket.

The Two Tower's - 1st UK Edition, stated 2nd impression, has the date (1955) on the title page, which would indicate a true 2nd imp.
Book is in Near Fine condition. No names or writing, and with some foxing/offsetting on the ffep.
The boards are very clean and tight, with no shelf wear on the bottom edges.
Gilt is bright and untarnished.
The dustjacket is not clipped, and is only slightly sunned to the spine, otherwise is virtually perfect.
No tanning, no chips or tears, a beautiful example of a true 2nd imp dustjacket.
 
The Return of the King - 1st UK Edition, 1st impression, 1st state with the slipped type and the signature mark '4' on page 49.
This is Hammond and Anderson's orignal definition of the 1st state, but this has been reconsidered, and is now considered the 2nd state.  
This was confirmed thru correspondence with Wayne Hammond.  
This book would grade at Near Fine condition.
Same previous owners name and inscription as on the Fellowship, and a very light bit of foxing/offsetting on the free endpapers.
The boards are very clean and bright, no spotting, no bumped corners, and no shelf wear is evident.
Gilt is still bright on the spine.  
The dustjacket is not clipped and is unfaded and untanned.  
A couple of small chips on the tips of the flap folds, and a 1" closed tear to the front spine fold.   
Again, an almost perfect example of the 1st impression dustjacket.  

A beautiful, Near Fine/Very Good Plus, early impression set of this classic of modern fiction.  
Housed in custom marbled paper slipcase to show and protect these 'precious' 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.