The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - Fifteenth Impression, 1965.

A Collectible 1965 Fifteenth Impression of The Hobbit, Published by George Allen & Unwin.

A highly sought-after early printing of The Hobbit, featuring Tolkien’s iconic dust jacket design and original illustrations. This fifteenth impression of the second edition, published in 1965, retains its charm despite some signs of wear. A fine addition to any Tolkien collection.

This 1965 fifteenth impression of The Hobbit is bound in the characteristic green cloth boards with Tolkien’s dragon motif and black lettering on the spine and front cover. The book retains its original dust jacket, featuring Tolkien’s striking artwork in green, blue, black, and white. The dust jacket remains largely intact but has noticeable wear, with small chips missing along the edges, particularly at the corners and the top and bottom of the spine. There is a small tear on the rear panel near the spine fold, as well as visible creasing and edgewear. The colors remain vibrant, though there is mild toning along the spine, which has also faded slightly over time. The inner flaps display age-related discoloration and bear brown tape residue staining along the edges.

The book itself is in good condition with some signs of aging. The green cloth boards show some fading, most notably along the spine, where the color has dulled in comparison to the rest of the cover. The black-stamped lettering and dragon motif remain legible but have slightly dulled. There are two prominent dark stains along the upper front and rear covers, particularly near the spine, and light rubbing to the edges and corners, with minor fraying at the spine ends. The binding is firm and intact, with no loose pages or splitting at the hinges, and the spine remains straight, holding well without signs of weakening.

The text block is clean, with only light natural toning and no major foxing. There are no inscriptions or annotations within the main text. The maps remain intact, though they show some signs of wear. The front map (Thror’s Map) contains a handwritten name in blue ink ("J.R.B. Stone") in the upper right corner, and a vertical brown stain runs along the center fold, likely from tape residue. The rear map (Wilderland) exhibits a similar prominent vertical stain along the center fold, mirroring the front map, with some discoloration along the edges but remaining fully legible and intact.

Despite its signs of wear, this remains a well-preserved copy of an early edition of The Hobbit. The presence of the original dust jacket, along with its strong binding and overall clean pages, makes it a desirable copy for collectors.

An opportunity to own a collectible early impression of The Hobbit, featuring Tolkien’s stunning design and artwork.

All maps are present.
Digital photos available upon request.

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