Sir Gawain and the Green Knight edited by J.R.R. Tolkien and E.V. Gordon.

Third impression of the first edition of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a critical scholarly edition first published in 1930 by J.R.R. Tolkien and E.V. Gordon

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Edited by J.R.R. Tolkien and E.V. Gordon
1st Edition, 3rd Impression – 1936
Oxford University Press, London

This is the third impression of the first edition of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a critical scholarly edition first published in 1930 by J.R.R. Tolkien and E.V. Gordon.

The book is bound in its original green cloth with the Clarendon Press logo stamped on the spine and plain ornamental decoration on the upper board (without gilt). The binding is tight, with only very slight wear visible along the edges and spine. The top edges of the pages are trimmed, while the fore and bottom edges are cut (so the book was read), although it looks near fine.

The front free endpaper features a previous owner’s signature in ink "Daphne Cooper, Somerville, Oxford" and a date "December 1943". There is no visible foxing on the pages, and the text block is clean and free from annotations. The paper quality is excellent, and there is no noticeable toning. The frontispiece remains vibrant, depicting “The Lady of the Castle Visits Sir Gawain.”

This copy is lacking its original dust jacket, which would have added a notable visual and protective element. Despite this, the overall condition of the book is solid, with only minor signs of handling.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is one of the earliest academic works associated with J.R.R. Tolkien, cementing his role as a scholar of medieval literature. This edition remains highly collectible, particularly for Tolkien enthusiasts, despite the absence of the original dust jacket.

Collectors looking for a historical literary piece that connects with Tolkien’s academic legacy will find this third impression to be an excellent addition to their collection. The absence of significant markings or foxing ensures its appeal as a clean, well-preserved copy.

A very nice collectable copy for the Tolkien enthusiast.

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