The Lost Road and Other Writings – Uncorrected Proof with Compliments Slip

J.R.R. Tolkien, edited by Christopher Tolkien. Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 1987. The History of Middle-earth, Volume V.

An American uncorrected proof in orange paper wrappers, with black lettering and Elvish-script borders. The front gives ISBN 0-395-45519-7 and publisher’s code 6-97048-6.

This copy is accompanied by a separate cream compliments slip printed in green. The printed word AUTHOR has been crossed out and publisher added by hand. It also bears the handwritten name Austin and a handwritten date reading 5 Sept 1987. The writer and recipient have not been independently identified; this is not offered as a Tolkien autograph.

Separately, the opening pages contain Houghton Mifflin’s printed advance-proof notice, giving a probable publication date of 30 November 1987 and a probable cloth-edition price of $18.95. This printed notice should not be confused with the loose compliments slip.

The fifth volume of The History of Middle-earth explores the development of Tolkien’s earlier mythology and languages. The orange wrappers show light handling wear and a few small marks; the photographed interior pages are generally clean with mild toning. The compliments slip is toned and lightly creased.

A distinctive American proof accompanied by an annotated publisher’s compliments slip.

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