Tolkien Library Store - Translations of Tolkien books - Translations of The Hobbit

De hobbit – Prisma-Boeken 529 – 9th Printing 1972 – Dutch Cees Kelfkens cover
#clp1194 - De hobbit – Prisma-Boeken 529 – 9th Printing 1972 – Dutch Cees Kelfkens cover - 150 EUR

Used first impression of the Dutch translation of The Hobbit.

> Enquire about this book

De hobbit, Prisma-Boeken 529, 9th Printing (1972)


Early Dutch paperback of The Hobbit with the classic Cees Kelfkens cover – 9th impression from 1972.



Attractive early 1970s Dutch paperback edition of De hobbit, published as Prisma-Boeken no. 529 by Uitgeverij Het Spectrum N.V., Utrecht/Antwerpen. Translated by Max Schuchart, with the famous modernist cover illustration by Cees Kelfkens and the double-page map of Thrór present and firmly bound in.

The title verso states: “Oorspronkelijke titel: The Hobbit – © 1955 by George Allen & Unwin Ltd., London – Vertaald door Max Schuchart – Omslag: Cees Kelfkens – Negende druk – This translation copyright © 1972 by Het Spectrum”. This identifies the book as the 9th printing of the Dutch Prisma edition.

Condition: about Very Good overall. The bright pink pictorial covers show some general surface wear, light creasing and a few small scratches to the front, with rubbing along the edges and joints. The spine is slightly rolled with reading creases but remains complete and solid, with the Prisma number “529” still clear at the foot. The text block is tight with no loose gatherings. Paper stock has uniformly browned, as usual for this cheap wartime-style paper, with some light foxing to the endpapers and page edges. A neat contemporary gift inscription in ink on the inside front endpaper, dated “30 dec. ’72”. No other markings, and no tears or annotations to the text. The map spread is clean and intact.

A nice, honest copy of the 9th printing of this iconic Dutch paperback, combining the important Max Schuchart translation with Kelfkens’ much-loved cover design – an excellent addition to a Tolkien-in-translation or cover-art focused collection, and an appealing reading copy of Tolkien’s classic in Dutch.

Pictures (click to enlarge):
De hobbit – Prisma-Boeken 529 – 9th Printing 1972 – Dutch Cees Kelfkens cover 1
De hobbit – Prisma-Boeken 529 – 9th Printing 1972 – Dutch Cees Kelfkens cover 2
De hobbit – Prisma-Boeken 529 – 9th Printing 1972 – Dutch Cees Kelfkens cover 3
De hobbit – Prisma-Boeken 529 – 9th Printing 1972 – Dutch Cees Kelfkens cover 4
De hobbit – Prisma-Boeken 529 – 9th Printing 1972 – Dutch Cees Kelfkens cover 5
De hobbit – Prisma-Boeken 529 – 9th Printing 1972 – Dutch Cees Kelfkens cover 6
De hobbit – Prisma-Boeken 529 – 9th Printing 1972 – Dutch Cees Kelfkens cover 7
De hobbit – Prisma-Boeken 529 – 9th Printing 1972 – Dutch Cees Kelfkens cover 8
De hobbit – Prisma-Boeken 529 – 9th Printing 1972 – Dutch Cees Kelfkens cover 9
De hobbit – Prisma-Boeken 529 – 9th Printing 1972 – Dutch Cees Kelfkens cover 10
De hobbit – Prisma-Boeken 529 – 9th Printing 1972 – Dutch Cees Kelfkens cover 11
De hobbit – Prisma-Boeken 529 – 9th Printing 1972 – Dutch Cees Kelfkens cover 12
Terms of sale: Prices are only indications, always inquire if books are still available. We accept Money Orders, cash, or Credit Cards (paypal) for immediate shipping.  Checks will delay shipment for 10 days for checks to clear. Please inquire for shipping quotes.
Interested: Please send email to info@tolkienlibrary.com.