Mr. Bliss – Unrecorded Pre-Publication Proof Copy

J.R.R. Tolkien. Published by George Allen & Unwin, London, 1982.

An extraordinary publishing rarity: an unrecorded advance proof or in-house dummy of Mr. Bliss, J.R.R. Tolkien’s whimsical picture book. This version is bound in plain brown card covers with a hand-written title and price on the front wrapper — an unmistakable sign of pre-publication use by the publisher, George Allen & Unwin.

Printed in 1982, the contents reproduce the full published version of the book, complete with Tolkien’s colored illustrations and facing typeset text. This copy appears to have been produced for early internal review, typesetting layout, or bookseller/promotion previews. A cloth tape spine reinforces the binding, consistent with publisher’s mock-ups.

No copies of this kind are recorded in *Hammond & Anderson* or known bibliographies. We have never seen another offered for sale or referenced in collections. In over 30 years of Tolkien collecting, this is the sole example we have encountered.

The condition is excellent: the text block is pristine, the colors are vivid, and the binding tight. Mild aging to the covers, and light corner creases, all in line with handling before publication.

A singular item of great significance to Tolkien collectors and historians — likely unique.

Digital photos available on request.

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