The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, Four Paperback Book Boxset from 1973, Red Slipcase.

Paperback set housed in the Publishers Red pictorial slipcase, featuring Heraldic symbols drawn by J.R.R. Tolkien published by Ballantine Books - 1973 Edition

These illustrations include the ones designed to represent Feanor, Idril Celebrindal, Earendil, Luthien Tinuviel, Fingolfin, Elwe, Luthien Tinuviel and Finwe.
This is one of the few published sets that includes all four books, The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King.
This is also the first set to feature the illustrations by J.R.R. Tolkien, as the covers of the book and slipcase, rather than the Barbara Remington designs as found on previous issues.

These paperback books are in good condition.
No names or markings in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Books look to be unread.
The textblock is very clean and bright, unlike most sets from this era.
The slipcase has a few rubs and bumps, mainly to the corners and edges, plus some to the bottom with some spots of color loss.
The slipcase has PBN: 23523-1-500.
The Hobbit is a 43rd printing from September 1973,
The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King are all 7th printing December 1969.

Hammond and Anderson's, A Descriptive Bibliography notes that "after the 40th (March 1973) and no later than the forty-second (September 1973)", the Hobbit was sold in sets with the Lord of the Rings, housed "in a slipcase, gold (or blue, or red) printed paper over boards, featuring Heraldic devices by Tolkien." This design was used until 1983, when the covers were changed again.
So this set is one of the earliest from that period. It is even strange to see these 1969 books sit inside this box!

A great find for the collector and a lovely set with the heraldic symbols by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Digital photo's available, inquire if interested.

Other Tolkien books available, include both the UK and US editions, original cloth bindings, custom fine bindings, and Signed/Numbered/Limited Editions.

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