J.R.R. Tolkien: Unfinished Tales (Houghton Mifflin Uncorrected Proof)

Houghton Mifflin Company, 1980

A rare **uncorrected proof** of *Unfinished Tales* by J.R.R. Tolkien — issued ahead of the official US publication by Houghton Mifflin in 1980. This edition features **grey textured wraps** with printed title and decorative Elvish borders. The title page includes the ISBN (0-395-29917-9) and “Code 6-97069.” Edited with commentary, index, and maps by Christopher Tolkien.

The proof reproduces the full text of the book, running at least **313 pages**, and presents the early state of what would become a landmark volume in Tolkien's legendarium. Uncorrected proofs of *Unfinished Tales* — particularly the American version — are extremely rare, especially in such clean condition.

Exceptionally scarce US uncorrected proof copy of *Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth* by J.R.R. Tolkien, edited by Christopher Tolkien. Issued by Houghton Mifflin in 1980 in plain grey wraps with printed title and decorative Tengwar border. Includes title page with ISBN 0-395-29917-9 and “Code 6-97069.” A rare pre-publication issue, seldom offered.

The wraps are crisp and show minimal shelfwear. Internally, the text is clean and bright. There is no price or commercial printing information on the cover — marking this out clearly as a pre-publication issue intended for reviewers or internal use.

Among the rarest Tolkien proofs — an essential acquisition for the serious Tolkien collector.

Digital photos available on request.

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