J.R.R. Tolkien's 'De Hobbit,' Dutch Paperback, 8th Printing

Published by Prisma Boeken, First Published in 1960, 8th Printing, 1971

Dutch Edition of 'De Hobbit of daarheen en weer terug' by Max Schuchart, Utrecht/Antwerpen: Het Spectrum.

This vintage 1971 Dutch edition of De Hobbit presents J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved tale with the distinctive Prisma Boeken cover design by Cees Kelfkens. Featuring a colorful and whimsical depiction of the dwarves and Bilbo against a bright pink backdrop, this edition is both unique and visually charming.

The cover retains the original artwork by Cees Kelfkens, featuring vibrant illustrations of dwarves and Bilbo. There is notable wear, with a section of tape affixed to the upper right corner of the front cover and around the top of the spine. This tape appears to have been applied to reinforce worn areas, particularly where the spine meets the cover. Additional tape residue is visible, suggesting past repair efforts. The spine itself shows signs of heavy wear, creasing, and color fading, with rubbing along the edges.

A previous owner’s inscription in ink, reading “Paul en Silvie van Paeselen,” appears on the interior front page, adding a layer of provenance to the book.
The spine shows substantial wear with visible creasing and a split near the top. While the book’s binding is holding, some pages are slightly loose, though still attached.
The pages display uniform tanning due to age, with darker toning along the edges. A few minor stains, primarily on the later pages, do not interfere with the readability of the text, which remains clear.

This edition includes the iconic maps created by Tolkien: Thrors kaart (Thror’s Map) and Wilderland, with place names beautifully translated into Dutch while retaining Tolkien’s distinctive calligraphic style.

At the end, seven unnumbered pages provide commentary on The Lord of the Rings along with a Dutch translation of a fragment from The Breaking of the Fellowship, offering additional insight into Tolkien’s epic universe for Dutch readers.

This Dutch edition of De Hobbit shows considerable signs of age and usage. The presence of tape on the cover and spine, along with the wear and personal inscription, contribute to its character as a well-read, storied copy. While this book has its imperfections, it remains complete with all pages and maps intact, offering a unique charm and making it a distinctive addition for collectors who appreciate books with visible histories.

This is a storied copy with expected age-related wear, making it a distinctive addition to any Tolkien collection focused on international printings.

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