The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Published by George Allen & Unwin, in 1954, 1954, and 1955, the 1st UK Edition, 1st impressions.

The Fellowship of the Ring is a 1st impression published July 29th, 1954.
One of 1500 printed for the UK.

The Two Towers is a 1st impression published November 11th, 1954.
One of 2250 printed for the UK.

The Return of the King is a 1st impression published October 20th, 1955.
This copy is the 1st State, as per Hammond & Anderson, with the signature mark '4' and having the slipped type on page 49.

Correspondence with Wayne Hammond has indicated he has revised his original definition of the 1st state, from what was described in the Tolkien Bibliography, making this the later state.
All original maps are present and in Near Fine condition, no tears or extra folds.
All three books are in their original dustjackets, and the Fellowship and the Return have the same previous owners name, while the Two Towers is unmarked.
No other markings or writing in any of the books.

The front endpapers show a moderate amount of offsetting on the 1st & 3rd books.
No foxing noted in any of the books, with a few scattered spots to the outside edges of the textblock, none to the interior of any of the books.

The dustjackets are not price clipped, and they have only the most minor of rubbing and splits or loss to a few area's, mostly around the folds.
The previous owner has reinforced the edges of the dustjackets with archival tape, and a couple of other minor closed tears as well.
The tape was removed by a professional dustjacket restorer on the Fellowship at the time he removed the spotting on the front panel of the dustjacket.
There was no other restoration work performed on the other books.

Photo's are available of the before and after on the Fellowship dustjacket for comparison if desired.
The text blocks are all clean, bright and tight, without any internal foxing or markings.
Red topstain is still bright and clean on all three books, not faded as often found.

A beautiful, collectable set of first editions of this classic of fantasy literature.

The Fellowship of the Ring is a 1st UK Edition, 1st impression with the book in Very Good Plus/Near Fine condition.
Previous owner's name and address (same in 1st & 3rd books) to the front free endpaper.
The gilt is bright and untarnished on the spine.
The boards are very clean and bright, with a couple of minor liquid spots to the boards, virtually no shelf wear on the bottom edge.
The dustjacket is unclipped and shows beautifully.

Very light tanning and only light soiling, however it does have the minor restoration removing an area of spots to the bottom of the front panel.
A beautiful, correct 1st impression dustjacket.
The original map is present, without any tears or extra folds, has the 1st state point with the red dot off the coast of Umbar.
A lovely copy, in its correct and original 1st impression dustjacket.

The Two Tower's - 1st UK Edition, 1st impression, has the date (1954) on the title page, and no other printings listed, which would indicate a true 1st imp.
Book is in Very Good Plus/Near Fine condition. No previous owner's name, no other writing. and without any offsetting on the endpapers. The boards are very clean and bright, without any bumps to the corners, very little shelf wear on the bottom edges, and no noticeable wear to the spine tips. Gilt is still clean and bright, only slightly dulled.
The dustjacket is not clipped, and has very light tanning on the spine, again is only lightly soiled.

No chips or wear to the edges, and only the smallest loss to the fold area's and bottom of the spine.
The original map is present, without any tears or extra folds, also has the 1st state point with the red dot off coast of Umbar.
A lovely copy, in its correct and original 1st impression dustjacket.

The Return of the King - 1st UK Edition, 1st impression,
the later state with the slipped type and signature mark '4' on page 49, as per Wayne Hammond's revised opinion.
Same previous owners name, a very moderate bit of offsetting on the endpapers. The boards are very clean and bright, no bumped corners, and no shelf wear is evident. Gilt is again clean and bright. The dustjacket is not clipped, and is lightly tanned, and shows no fading to the red lettering on the spine, and again is only lightly soiled. The map is present and in Near Fine condition, no extra folds or tears noted.

A lovely example of the 1st impression book and original dustjacket.

A beautiful set of First Editions of this classic of fantasy literature, with a custom cloth covered slipcase with silk ribbon pull, to protect and house 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.