The Lord of the Rings — 1969 Deluxe India-Paper First Impression in Black Slipcase

First Deluxe India-Paper Edition — 1969

A particularly well-preserved first impression of the deluxe India-paper edition of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, published in London by George Allen & Unwin in 1969. The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King are brought together in one compact volume, with the Appendices and Index, in the publisher’s decorated black binding and original slipcase.

The copyright page states “This India paper edition first published 1969”, with no later impression recorded, and carries the original nine-digit SBN 04 823091 X. It also records the earlier one-volume edition of 1968: this is the first deluxe India-paper edition, rather than the first appearance of the work in a single volume. Printed in Great Britain by Hazell Watson & Viney Ltd, Aylesbury, Bucks, in 10 on 11 point Pilgrim type.

Original Decorated Binding and Slipcase

The publisher’s black binding carries a heraldic design based on Tolkien’s artwork, stamped in gold, silver and green: a tree and stars above a central device with spreading wings. The spine is ruled and lettered in gilt; the rear board is plain black. Black, grey and cream patterned endpapers and green-speckled page edges complete the presentation. The thin India paper gives the complete work a remarkably slender form, and the title page is printed in red and black within runic borders.

The original black publisher’s slipcase has a thumb recess at the opening and is shown from both sides, with and without the book. This is the early slipcased presentation of the edition. The publisher continued to use a slipcase for the 1972 and early 1974 impressions before changing to a labelled box during 1974.

Maps

A Part of the Shire is printed in red and black on page 30. Both folding maps are present: Gondor, Rohan and Mordor opposite page 770, and the 1954 map of The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age at the rear. Both are photographed attached and folded in place.

Condition

A particularly well-preserved and attractive copy, without a gift inscription. The front-board decoration and gilt spine lettering remain bright and clear. There are light surface marks and rubbing to the black binding, with minor wear at the extremities. The patterned endpapers are well preserved and the photographed title, copyright and text openings are clean.

The original slipcase has light surface scuffing and rubbing, with wear at the opening, edges and corners. It remains an attractive protective companion to the book. The photographs show all sides of the slipcase, the binding, endpapers, publication details, text and both folding maps.

Bibliographical reference: Wayne G. Hammond and Douglas A. Anderson, J.R.R. Tolkien: A Descriptive Bibliography, pp. 143–144.

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