The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien - First American Edition Set (1954–1956) with Original Dust Jackets.

Rare first American edition set of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, published by Houghton Mifflin from 1954 to 1956. Complete with original dust jackets and maps in good to very good condition. A sought-after collectible for Tolkien enthusiasts.

Title: The Lord of the Rings
The Fellowship of the Ring (1954)
The Two Towers (1955)
The Return of the King (1956)
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston
Binding: Blue cloth with gold lettering on the spine and front cover
Condition: Good to very good condition overall, with original dust jackets

Rare and collectible first American edition set of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, published by Houghton Mifflin between 1954 and 1956. This set includes all three volumes—The Fellowship of the Ring (1954), The Two Towers (1955), and The Return of the King (1956)—each complete with their original dust jackets and fold-out maps. A highly sought-after set for Tolkien enthusiasts and rare book collectors.

The Fellowship of the Ring (1954)
Book Condition: Very good. No markings or inscriptions inside. The binding is tight, and the fold-out map at the back is intact and in excellent condition. Dust Jacket: The yellow jacket shows substantial spine fading and browning, old tape reinforcement, edge wear and tears, with chipping at the extremities. The photographs show the wear and repairs.

The Two Towers (1955)
Book Condition: Good. The binding is solid, with no loose pages. The interior is clean, with no marks or inscriptions, and the fold-out map at the back is intact. Please refer to the photos for detailed images of the condition, particularly regarding wear on the cover.
Dust Jacket: The green jacket shows spine fading, edge wear, spotting and patchy discolouration, particularly on the rear panel. Please see the photographs for the visible surface wear.

The Return of the King (1956)
Book Condition: Very good to excellent. The binding is tight, with no marks, inscriptions, or loose pages. The fold-out map is present and in excellent condition. Dust Jacket: The pale jacket retains its red lettering and design, with spotting and discolouration visible on the spine and edges, together with light edge wear.

This set represents the first publication of The Lord of the Rings in the United States by Houghton Mifflin, making it a significant collectible.
All three volumes retain their original dust jackets, with the tree designs by Walter Lorraine used for the first American edition.
Each book contains its original fold-out map at the back, a key feature of the first editions.

This set is highly prized among collectors for its connection to the early popularity of Tolkien’s masterpiece in the United States.

This set is a remarkable find for Tolkien enthusiasts and rare book collectors. It offers a glimpse into the early reception of Tolkien’s masterpiece in the U.S. and comes in a well-preserved state despite its age. The original dust jackets, combined with the clean and intact bindings, make this a truly special set.

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Interested: Please send email to info@tolkienlibrary.com.