De Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien – Dutch Prisma Edition, Prisma-Boeken 529, 10th Printing (1973)

Attractive 1973 tenth impression of the classic Dutch Prisma pocket edition of De Hobbit, with the iconic bright pink Cees Kelfkens cover and both maps present.

Published by Prisma-Boeken (Het Spectrum B.V.), Utrecht/Antwerpen, 1973.
Dutch translation by Max Schuchart, with the modernist wrapper illustration by Cees Kelfkens that has become a cult favourite among Tolkien translation collectors. This is the 10th printing of the Prisma-Boeken pocket edition, as stated on the verso of the title page (“Eerste druk 1960 – Tiende druk 1973”).

The book retains the vivid pink front cover showing Bilbo and the dwarves in Kelfkens’ unmistakable style. The spine carries the familiar blue panel with title and author in black, series number 529 at the foot, and the “Prisma” logo at the head. The rear cover features the Dutch blurb and advert for Sprookjes van Tolkien (Prisma 1500). At the back of the book the UNESCO “Internationaal Jaar van het Boek” device is present – a nice period detail of the early-1970s printings.

Bibliographical details:
– Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
– Title: De Hobbit
– Translator: Max Schuchart
– Cover artist: Cees Kelfkens
– Publisher: Prisma-Boeken (Het Spectrum B.V.), Utrecht/Antwerpen
– Year: 1973 (10th printing of the Prisma edition)
– Series: Prisma-Boeken, no. 529
– Format: Paperback, pocket size (ca. 18 x 11 cm)
– Pagination: 226 pages
– Maps: Thror’s Map and the Map of Wilderland, both present as double-page black-printed maps

Condition report:
A solid and quite presentable example for this fragile pocket edition.

The front cover shows strong colour with the pink background still bright and the Kelfkens artwork crisp and appealing. There is some light overall surface wear, a small crease towards the lower fore-corner and a few short stress lines to the laminate along the edges. Corners are a little rubbed, with minor wear to the tips, but there are no losses to the design. The spine is lightly rubbed with a couple of vertical reading creases and a touch of wear at head and tail, yet remains complete and unbroken. The back cover is clean and legible, showing some faint soiling and a few tiny marks and edge rubs typical for age, without major stains or tears.

Internally the binding is sound and the text block sits reasonably straight, with only the slightest hint of a spine lean. The paper stock has tanned evenly throughout, as usual for Prisma paperbacks from this period, but the pages remain supple and entirely readable. There is some light foxing and age-spotting on the inside of the covers and the first and last few leaves, more noticeable against the blank areas, but the printed text is unaffected.

Both maps – Thror’s Map and the Map of Wilderland – are present, well-printed, and free from tears or writing. No owner’s name, gift inscription, underlining or other markings are evident in the text, making this a clean reading and collecting copy.

Summary:
A good, clean 10th impression (1973) of the Dutch Prisma-Boeken edition of De Hobbit, with the iconic Cees Kelfkens cover still bright, both maps intact and a tight, complete text block.

An attractive and affordable way to add this much-loved Dutch paperback edition to a collection of Tolkien translations.

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