Tolkien Library Store - Original Cloth Bindings - Lord of the Rings Original Bindings
#001340 - The Lord of the Rings, 1st UK Edition Early Printings with Dustjackets and Custom Slipcase - sold
The Lord of the Rings, early impressions of the 1st UK Edition, originally published in 1954/1955/1955 respectively.
> Enquire about this book
The Lord of the Rings, Comprised of The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King, by J.R.R. Tolkien. Published by George Allen and Unwin in 1954 & 1955, these books are early impressions of the 1st UK Edition, originally published in 1954/1955/1955 respectively.
The Fellowship of the Rings is a 2nd impression published in December 1954, less than 6 months after the 1st Impression was released.
The Two Towers is a 2nd impression published in 1955, in its correct original 2nd impression dustjacket.
There are many stated 2nd impressions, that are actually the 3rd impression, due to a printers error, omitting the '3rd impression' to the printing history on the title verso and lacking the 1955 date to the title page. This copy has the 1955 date to the title page, signifying it is the true 2nd impression.
The Return of the King is a 2nd impression published in 1955, in its correct 2nd impression dustjacket.
All three books have their correct dustjackets which are in Very Good condition showing some soiling, chipping and loss to the edges. The Fellowship dustjacket shows some soiling to the white areas, some fading to the red lettering on the spine, and chipping and loss to the spine and flap fold areas. It is price clipped, with the bottom corner of the flap raggedly torn off, not cut off as is usually the case.
The verso of the dustjacket shows reinforcement of the fold areas with archival tape to help stop any further splitting or loss.
The Two Towers shows about the same loss to the spine and flap fold areas, much less soiling to the white areas, a bit more tanning to the spine. Only the rear spine fold area shows any reinforcement with archival tape.
The Return of the King dustjacket is clearly in better condition than the others.
Only a small amount of loss to the tips of the flap fold area.
However the dustjacket shows quite a bit of red, bleeding thru from the cover along the top and bottom edges and along the folds of the spine. The book doesn't exhibit any damp stains, so the dustjacket may not be original to this particular copy.
The books are in Very Good condition with a bit of offsetting to the endpapers in the Two Towers. All show a normal amount of wear to the edges, corners and ends of the spine, but only the spine of the Return is faded and gilt is tarnished.
The Fellowship and Two Towers remain in Very Good Plus condition. The red topstain is faded to the Fellowship & Two Towers books, while the Return of the King is only slightly faded. No previous owners name or any other writing or markings to the books. Each book has its own original foldout map tipped in at the rear, and all are in excellent condition with no tears or extra folds noted.
A custom faux leather slipcase to house and protect this highly sought after set of 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.
Spread the news about this Tolkien book:
The Fellowship of the Rings is a 2nd impression published in December 1954, less than 6 months after the 1st Impression was released.
The Two Towers is a 2nd impression published in 1955, in its correct original 2nd impression dustjacket.
There are many stated 2nd impressions, that are actually the 3rd impression, due to a printers error, omitting the '3rd impression' to the printing history on the title verso and lacking the 1955 date to the title page. This copy has the 1955 date to the title page, signifying it is the true 2nd impression.
The Return of the King is a 2nd impression published in 1955, in its correct 2nd impression dustjacket.
All three books have their correct dustjackets which are in Very Good condition showing some soiling, chipping and loss to the edges. The Fellowship dustjacket shows some soiling to the white areas, some fading to the red lettering on the spine, and chipping and loss to the spine and flap fold areas. It is price clipped, with the bottom corner of the flap raggedly torn off, not cut off as is usually the case.
The verso of the dustjacket shows reinforcement of the fold areas with archival tape to help stop any further splitting or loss.
The Two Towers shows about the same loss to the spine and flap fold areas, much less soiling to the white areas, a bit more tanning to the spine. Only the rear spine fold area shows any reinforcement with archival tape.
The Return of the King dustjacket is clearly in better condition than the others.
Only a small amount of loss to the tips of the flap fold area.
However the dustjacket shows quite a bit of red, bleeding thru from the cover along the top and bottom edges and along the folds of the spine. The book doesn't exhibit any damp stains, so the dustjacket may not be original to this particular copy.
The books are in Very Good condition with a bit of offsetting to the endpapers in the Two Towers. All show a normal amount of wear to the edges, corners and ends of the spine, but only the spine of the Return is faded and gilt is tarnished.
The Fellowship and Two Towers remain in Very Good Plus condition. The red topstain is faded to the Fellowship & Two Towers books, while the Return of the King is only slightly faded. No previous owners name or any other writing or markings to the books. Each book has its own original foldout map tipped in at the rear, and all are in excellent condition with no tears or extra folds noted.
A custom faux leather slipcase to house and protect this highly sought after set of 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.
Spread the news about this Tolkien book:
Pictures (click to enlarge):
Terms of sale: Prices are only indications,
always inquire if books are still available. We accept Money Orders, cash,
or Credit Cards (paypal) for immediate shipping. Checks will delay
shipment for 10 days for checks to clear. Please inquire for shipping
quotes.
Interested: Please send email to info@tolkienlibrary.com.
Interested: Please send email to info@tolkienlibrary.com.