De Hobbit – First Dutch Hardcover Edition

J.R.R. Tolkien – Het Spectrum, 1976 – Fourteenth Printing

A scarce and sought-after Dutch edition of The Hobbit. Although identified as the fourteenth Dutch printing, this 1976 publication is bibliographically important as the first Dutch hardcover edition of the book and the first printing of Max Schuchart's revised translation.

The revised Dutch text was prepared from the revised 1966 English edition of The Hobbit, replacing the earlier translation first published by Het Spectrum in 1960. This hardcover edition appeared alongside the familiar Prisma paperback but was produced in a very different and far more elaborate format.

Edition details:
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Title: De Hobbit
Translator: Max Schuchart
Publisher: Uitgeverij Het Spectrum, Utrecht and Antwerpen
Publication year: 1976
Edition: Fourteenth Dutch printing
Special status: First Dutch hardcover edition
Translation: First printing of the revised Dutch translation
Format: Hardcover in light green cloth with original dust jacket
Pagination: 253 pages
ISBN: 90-274-8396-5

This special edition contains twelve colour illustrations. Four are reproductions of Tolkien's original colour paintings: Rivendell, Bilbo Woke Up with the Early Sun in His Eyes, Bilbo Comes to the Huts of the Raft-elves and Conversation with Smaug. Eight further illustrations reproduce Tolkien's original black-and-white artwork with colouring by H.E. Riddett.

Tolkien's maps of Thror's Map and Wilderland, with their place names rendered in Dutch, are printed across the front and rear endpapers. A note by translator Max Schuchart and Tolkien's introduction to the runes are also included.

The remarkable original dust jacket reproduces a large section of Tolkien's painting The Hill: Hobbiton-across-the-Water. The panoramic artwork continues across the front, spine and rear of the jacket, making this one of the most attractive Dutch editions of The Hobbit. Surviving copies retaining this original jacket are particularly difficult to locate.

Condition:
The light green cloth binding is clean and well preserved, with the publisher's name, title and author's name stamped in silver on the spine. The binding is firm and the interior, illustrations and illustrated map endpapers remain clean and attractive.

The original dust jacket is complete and retains its attractive colours. It shows noticeable but honest signs of use, including rubbing, creasing and edge wear, with several small tears and chips around the upper edge and spine extremities. There is also a short tear near the lower spine area. Despite this wear, the jacket remains visually striking and is an important part of this scarce edition.

A desirable and surprisingly elusive Dutch Tolkien edition. Its significance as the first Dutch hardcover Hobbit, the first appearance of the revised translation, the extensive selection of Tolkien's own artwork and the survival of the original panoramic dust jacket make it an excellent addition to a serious collection of Tolkien translations.

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