De Hobbit – First Dutch Edition, First Printing, 1960.

A true first printing of the first Dutch edition of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, published by Het Spectrum as Prisma-Boeken no. 529.

De Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, translated by Max Schuchart and published by Het Spectrum in 1960.

This is the first printing of the edition that introduced Dutch readers to Bilbo Baggins and Tolkien's Middle-earth. It features the famous bright pink pictorial cover created by Dutch illustrator and book designer Cees Kelfkens.

Kelfkens' colourful and highly distinctive interpretation of Bilbo and the dwarves has become an icon of Dutch Tolkien publishing and is sought after by collectors of early international editions of The Hobbit.

Edition details:
First Dutch edition
First printing
Publication year: 1960
Publisher: Het Spectrum, Utrecht
Series: Prisma-Boeken
Prisma number: 529
Translation: Max Schuchart
Cover design: Cees Kelfkens
Language: Dutch
Format: paperback

The copyright page records the 1960 publication by Het Spectrum and contains no reference to a later printing, confirming this copy as the first impression of the Dutch Prisma edition.

Condition:
A genuine used copy of this fragile early paperback. The front cover retains its vivid and highly attractive pink colour, while the Kelfkens artwork remains strong and clearly defined.

The covers show noticeable rubbing and edge wear, with creasing, worn corners and several small areas of surface or material loss. The upper-left corner of the front cover is particularly worn. The rear cover has rubbing around its blue border, together with creases and general handling wear.

The blue spine remains substantially complete and legible but displays pronounced rubbing, abrasions and wear at its head, tail and joints. There are several localised marks and areas of surface loss along the front joint. The book should therefore be handled with the care appropriate to an early Prisma paperback.

The paper has developed the even age-toning normally found in copies of this edition. The photographed pages remain flexible and legible, with no major internal damage visible in the supplied images. Please examine all photographs carefully for a complete impression of the book's condition and enquire if additional details are required.

Despite the evident wear, this remains an appealing and collectable first Dutch printing of De Hobbit, distinguished by its vivid original Cees Kelfkens cover.

Offered at 280 EUR.

See more translations and foreign-language editions of The Hobbit available from the Tolkien Library Store.

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