The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien – Collins Educational Cascades Edition, First Impression (1993)

Scarce first impression of the durable 1993 Collins Educational Cascades hardcover edition, featuring J.R.R. Tolkien’s own cover artwork, maps and black-and-white illustrations.

Published by Collins Educational, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, in 1993.
This is the first impression of the Cascades edition, as confirmed by the copyright page. Later impressions appeared annually between 1994 and 1998, followed by further Cascades reprints with a revised binding design.

The Cascades series was produced primarily for British schools and educational libraries. Consequently, surviving copies frequently show considerable classroom wear. This example retains its original pictorial boards and remains an attractive representative of this distinctive educational edition.

The front board reproduces J.R.R. Tolkien’s celebrated eagle artwork against a mountainous landscape, accompanied by a green cloth-effect spine panel. The rear board carries the Cascades introduction to the story, a short recommendation attributed to thirteen-year-old Ciara Donnan, the ISBN and confirmation that the cover illustration is by Tolkien.

Bibliographical details:
– Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
– Title: The Hobbit
– Publisher: Collins Educational / HarperCollins Publishers
– Place of publication: London
– Year: 1993
– Edition: Cascades edition
– Impression: First impression
– Format: Pictorial hardcover, issued without a dust jacket
– Pagination: 285 pages
– Language: English
– ISBN-10: 0-00-330090-0
– ISBN-13: 978-0-00-330090-1

Illustrative content:
The edition is illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien himself and contains the eight standard black-and-white illustrations associated with the book.

The photographed interior includes Tolkien’s drawing of Beorn’s Hall, printed opposite the corresponding passage in Chapter VII, “Queer Lodgings.” The maps of Thrór and Wilderland are reproduced across the endpapers, making this a pleasingly complete illustrated reading edition.

Condition report:
A presentable and attractive former school copy with honest signs of handling and classroom use.

The front pictorial board remains bright and appealing, with some surface rubbing, light scratches and wear around the edges. The corners show small bumps and touches of wear, most noticeably at the upper corners. The green spine remains intact and retains a strong colour.

The rear board is complete and clearly legible. It shows light rubbing, minor marks and wear at the corners and lower edge, but no serious loss or structural damage.

Internally the binding appears sound and the pages remain clean and readable. The maps and illustrations are complete and clearly printed. A circular ownership stamp from “Staffordshire County Council – Cheadle High School” appears on the author-information page. No cancellation or withdrawal stamp is visible in the photographed pages.

The copyright page clearly states “Published in Cascades in 1993,” with no later-impression statement, identifying this copy as the first impression of the edition.

Summary:
A scarce first impression of the 1993 Collins Educational Cascades edition of The Hobbit. Although it retains evidence of its original school use, the colourful Tolkien binding, firm appearance, complete illustrations and first-impression status make it an interesting and collectible variation.

An uncommon educational hardcover and a distinctive addition to a collection of English-language Hobbit editions.

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