The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien – George Allen & Unwin, 1954–1955. First Edition, First Impressions.

A beautiful and fully original set of all three volumes of The Lord of the Rings, each a true First Edition, First Impression, complete with their original unrestored dust jackets, red topstain, and folded maps. Housed in a custom cloth slipcase.

This is a very desirable and increasingly scarce set: all three volumes are the correct 1st impressions (1954, 1954, 1955), all three retain their original jackets without restoration, and all three contain the folded maps present and correctly inserted. The set is housed in a modern custom slipcase in cream cloth with red ribbon pull and Tolkien’s White Tree device on the side panel.

Publication Details
– The Fellowship of the Ring — 1st Edition, 1st Impression — 1954
– The Two Towers — 1st Edition, 1st Impression — 1954
– The Return of the King — 1st Edition, 1st Impression — 1955
Publisher: George Allen & Unwin, London

Original Dust Jackets
Each volume still retains its original first-state dust jacket. All jackets are unclipped (with proper “21s net” pricing) and show only general wear: light rubbing, some small marks, a few spots and mild darkening as usual for these early printings. No restoration, no colour touch, no paper replacement. Honest and entirely original condition. The red and black Ring design remains strong on all three jackets.

Books
All three volumes are bound in the original red cloth with gilt spine lettering. Cloth clean and bright, with only light handling to extremities. Topstains are strong and unfaded. Bindings tight and square with no leaning. Internal pages clean with only minimal foxing to some endpapers as shown in photographs. No inscriptions, no bookplates. A very clean and uniform set.

Maps
All three volumes contain their original folded maps, in excellent condition. No tears, no glue repairs. Light age toning only. The maps are correctly placed at the rear of each volume.

Slipcase
Presented in a custom-made cream cloth slipcase with printed front label featuring Tolkien's White Tree. Red satin ribbon pull. A tasteful and protective housing for the set.

Condition Summary
– A thoroughly original 1st edition set
– All three are true 1st impressions
– Original, unrestored dust jackets
– Clean red cloth bindings
– Strong topstains
– Folded maps present in all volumes
– No restoration, no writing
– Custom slipcase included

A very collectible set — increasingly scarce in this honest, complete, and unrestored state.

Terms of sale: Prices are only indications, always inquire if books are still available. We accept Money Orders, cash, or Credit Cards (paypal) for immediate shipping.  Checks will delay shipment for 10 days for checks to clear. Please inquire for shipping quotes.
Interested: Please send email to info@tolkienlibrary.com.