Tolkien Library Store - Original Cloth Bindings - Boxed sets

The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, Four Paperback Book Boxset from 1973, Still Sealed in Shrinkwrap

#001335 - The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, Four Paperback Book Boxset from 1973, Still Sealed in Shrinkwrap - sold


A four volume paperback set housed in the Publishers original Gold Foil covered slipcase, featuring the Heraldic symbols that were drawn by J.R.R. Tolkien.

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The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien.
A four volume paperback set housed in the Publishers original Gold Foil covered slipcase, featuring the Heraldic symbols that were drawn by J.R.R. Tolkien


These illustrations include the ones designed to represent Feanor, Idril Celebrindal, Earendil, Luthien Tinuviel, Fingolfin, Elwe, Luthien Tinuviel and Finwe.
This is one of the few published sets that includes all four books, The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. This is also the first set to feature the illustrations by J.R.R. Tolkien, as the covers of the book and slipcase, rather than the Barbara Remington designs as found on previous issues.

As this set is still sealed it is not possible to tell the exact printing or publishing date, however the exterior of the case does note the Heraldry designs are copyright of George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1973.

Hammond and Anderson's, A Descriptive Bibliography notes that "after the 40th (March 1973) and no later than the forty-second (September 1973)", the Hobbit was sold in sets with the Lord of the Rings, housed "in a slipcase, gold (or blue, or red) printed paper over boards, featuring Heraldic devices by Tolkien." This design was used until 1983, when the covers were changed again.
So this set is from that period, 1973 - 1983.

Very unusual to find a set that has not been opened after 30 or 40 years. The case shows no bumped corners, shrinkwrap is still intact with a few scattered holes and scrapes, and the spines of the four books are in perfect condition. They do not appear to be faded or tanned in any way.

A perfect find for the collector. Photos of covers are from another opened set, just for illustrative purposes.

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.

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