The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Published by George Allen & Unwin, 1954/54/55 1st UK Edition.
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 Hammon & 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.
Maps are bound in to the rear in Near Fine condition, no tears or extra folds, The Fellowship map is the 1st State map with a red dot off the coast of Umbar. All three books are in their correct 1st impression dustjackets, in positively Near Fine condition.
No soiling, no chips or loss, and positively no fading. Small area of dustjacket restoration to the tips of the spine on the Fellowship. None are price clipped, and show only the lightest of rubbing.
Tiny bit of foxing to the edges of the Two Towers, and a bit of offsetting to the endpapers to all three books. The boards are clean and bright, one small spot to the rear board, a small bit of scuffing and marks to the bottom of the Fellowship spine. The text block is clean, bright and tight, without any internal foxing or markings. No previous owner's names or writing. The gilt to the spine is bright and untarnished on the first two books, with a bit of darkening to the Return.
A bumped corner to the Return of the King.
A beautiful set of First Editions of this classic of fantasy literature, with a custom quarter bound red leather clamshell case 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.