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The Hobbit — 1987 Fiftieth Anniversary Edition in a Decorated Custom Slipcase
#cb0004 - The Hobbit — 1987 Fiftieth Anniversary Edition in a Decorated Custom Slipcase - € 125

The 1987 Unwin Hyman fiftieth-anniversary Hobbit, illustrated by Tolkien and with Christopher Tolkien’s new foreword. Original green binding and pictorial anniversary dust jacket, housed in a black-and-gold custom slipcase. Gift inscription dated October 1987.

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The Hobbit — 1987 Fiftieth Anniversary Edition in a Decorated Custom Slipcase


The Fiftieth-Anniversary Hobbit



J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, or There and Back Again. Unwin Hyman, London, 1987. The fiftieth-anniversary edition, with a foreword by Christopher Tolkien and illustrations by the author. ISBN 0-04-823386-2.

Published fifty years after Bilbo Baggins first appeared in print, this edition combines Tolkien’s story with a substantial new foreword by Christopher Tolkien. His account draws on memories of his father and the early life of the story, illustrated with manuscript material, additional drawings and extracts from Tolkien’s correspondence.

The volume contains Tolkien’s five colour illustrations and eight standard black-and-white illustrations. Thror’s Map and the Map of Wilderland are printed on the endpapers. Christopher Tolkien’s foreword adds reproductions of two manuscript pages, six further illustrations and extracts from letters.

Publication and Original Presentation



The title page bears the Unwin Hyman imprint, and the copyright page states that this anniversary edition was published in 1987. Its earlier fourth-edition and impression dates record the book’s textual history; they are not the publication date of this anniversary issue. The book was printed in Great Britain by Mackays of Chatham.

The original green cloth binding has gilt lettering and a runic device on the spine. The original pictorial dust jacket presents Tolkien’s mountain landscape, red sun and dragon, with green runic borders and the diagonal red fiftieth-anniversary banner on the front. The jacket is price-clipped and protected by a clear removable cover.

Decorated Custom Slipcase



A separately made black custom slipcase accompanies the book. Its textured surface is decorated in gold with a mountain border, the title and a dragon on one side, and Tolkien’s monogram on the other. This is additional protective housing, rather than a publisher-issued slipcase.

Condition



A well-presented copy with bright green cloth and clear gilt lettering. The photographed text and illustrations are clean, with light handling wear to the book. A gift inscription reading “With all my love” is signed and dated 20 October 1987 on the front free endpaper. This is a previous owner’s inscription, not an author’s signature.

The original jacket retains strong colour, with light edge and surface wear; its spine remains clearly legible. The custom slipcase is attractive, with light surface handling marks. The photographs show the book both in and out of its jacket and case, together with the maps, publication details and gift inscription.

Bibliographical Reference



TolkienBooks.net, record 22500, The Hobbit, Unwin Hyman fiftieth-anniversary edition, 1987; Hammond and Anderson, J.R.R. Tolkien: A Descriptive Bibliography, pp. 61–62.

The original British fiftieth-anniversary Hobbit, with Tolkien’s illustrations, Christopher Tolkien’s foreword and a gold-decorated custom slipcase.

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Pictures (click to enlarge):
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