The Hobbit — 50th Anniversary Edition in Slipcase (First Printing, Second State, Houghton Mifflin, 1987).

A recognised variant of the first printing — the scarcer second state with printer’s code.

This is the Houghton Mifflin 50th Anniversary Edition of The Hobbit; or, There and Back Again, published in 1987 to commemorate fifty years since the original 1937 publication.

The book is presented in the distinctive gold slipcase, with matching gold boards decorated in a runic-style border and the green “50” anniversary device to the front. The edition includes illustrations by J.R.R. Tolkien and a special foreword by Christopher Tolkien.

Importantly, this example represents a first printing, second state, identified by the presence of the printer’s code (“H”) in place of a full number line on the copyright page.

Within the 1987 printing of 15,000 copies, two states are known: – First state with full number line
– Second state with printer’s code replacing the number line

While the first state is often considered the priority issue bibliographically, the second state is generally encountered less frequently, as it represents a later and smaller portion of the same print run and was not widely distinguished at the time of release.

Condition
– Slipcase in excellent condition with minimal handling wear
– Book clean, tight, and square
– Pages fresh and bright
– A particularly well-preserved example

Bibliographic details
– Title: The Hobbit; or, There and Back Again
– Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
– Illustrator: J.R.R. Tolkien
– Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company (Boston)
– Year: 1987
– Format: Hardcover in slipcase
– State: First printing, second state (“H” code)

Collector’s note
The 1987 50th Anniversary edition remains one of the most recognisable modern collectible Hobbit editions. Copies are widely encountered, but correctly identified first printing states — particularly the second state — are less commonly distinguished.

A highly attractive and increasingly appreciated anniversary edition, combining Tolkien’s own artwork with a refined commemorative presentation.

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