The Lord of The Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien; 1st edition set, 1956-57, 5th, 4th & 3rd impressions
First published between 1954 and 1955, The Lord of the Rings is Tolkien's epic high-fantasy masterpiece and one of the most influential works of modern literature. Set in the richly imagined world of Middle-earth, the trilogy follows Frodo Baggins and the Fellowship on their perilous quest to destroy the One Ring and defeat the Dark Lord Sauron. Combining myth, language invention, and themes of friendship, sacrifice, and courage, the work redefined the fantasy genre and has remained continuously in print since its debut, inspiring generations of readers and numerous adaptations.
Attractive, complete, early set of Tolkien’s masterpiece, comprising The Fellowship of the Ring (1956, 5th impression), The Two Towers (1956, 4th impression), and The Return of the King (1957, 3rd impression). All three volumes in very good red cloth bindings, each with its original fold-out map at the rear (one with a small edge tear, others pristine). The Fellowship has a modern facsimile dust jacket, while the original jackets for The Two Towers and The Return of the King are present but worn and split with small losses and tape remnants. Texts are clean and bright throughout, soundly bound – a solid and presentable early printing set of this iconic trilogy.
Comprising:
The Fellowship of the Ring: December, 1956, 5th impression;
The Two Towers: 1956, 4th impression; and
The Return of the King: January, 1957, 3rd impression.
Published by George Allen & Unwin Ltd, London 1956-1957 (first impressions were from 1954-1955), so still nice to have an early set, even if not first printings.
A set of three very good red cloth hardbacks, all with their original fold-out maps at the rear, all in very good condition also. The first map with a 1cm edge tear at a fold, and the latter 2 completely intact. All bright and clean. The books are soundly bound. The books with light bumping to corners and head and tail of spines. With light shelf wear. The Fellowship with some darker soiling to spine, although not severe.
There is a facsimile dustjacket for The Fellowship, and the remaining 2 jackets are only in fair condition;
The Two Towers jacket is split at rear joint and is nibbled with losses to extremities, spine had age-discoloration and some spotting and wear. Old tape remains to rear at split;
The Return of the King jacket is split at rear joint and also at fold of front flap, and is nibbled with losses to extremities, spine had age-discoloration and some spotting and wear. Old tape remains to rear at split.
The jackets now housed in removable, clear protective plastic.
Previous owner's signature - 'Ewen McAslan', dated to 1957, on first free blank endpaper in all volumes. The Two Towers with some jacket offsetting to endpapers, and also at front of Return of the King, although barely visible.
Text is bright and clean throughout in all volumes. A great opportunity to get on the first edition collecting ladder for one of the most popular works ever published.
Text in English.
The Fellowship of the Ring: 423pp + (1) + fold-out map at rear;
The Two Towers: 352pp + fold-out map at rear; and
The Return of the King: 416pp + fold-out map at rear.
Weight approximately 1812g (the set - unpacked).
Dimensions: Each volume approximately 228mm high x 150mm wide x 31mm deep.