The Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Published by George Allen and Unwin, this is the 1st impression published July 29th, 1954.
One of only 1500 printed for the UK This copy is in Very Good condition with some minor rubbing and marks to the boards.

The top stain is faded and slightly dusty.
The book has a slight spine lean, a couple of lightly bumped corners, but the gilt is still bright and untarnished.
The top and bottom of the spine is pushed with a bit of rubbing, but not frayed.
A light bit of shelfwear to the bottom of the boards, but no fraying.
A previous owners gift inscription dated Christmas 1954 to the front free endpaper.
A couple of tape marks/ghosts to the front and rear free endpapers.
No foxing or offsetting noted, with a minor split to the endpaper at the bottom of the front gutter.

The binding is still nice and tight overall.
The map is present at the rear, and shows the 1st state point with the red dot off the coast of Umbar.
The tips of the boards are rubbed, but also not frayed.
The dustjacket is price clipped, but is in remarkable condition.
It has had some professional restoration, to remove the tape marks from the inner flaps of the dustjacket.
The tape marks are the result of an early dustjacket protector that was taped down, but did its job and preserved the dustjacket very nicely.

There are no chips or loss to the edges, and the red lettering is not faded.
The spine is not tanned, and the front and rear panel show only the lightest of soiling.

A remarkable copy of this very scarce book and dustjacket, that is seldom offered by itself.
The foundation for building a true 1st impression set of the Tolkien Trilogy.


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.