[Rarebooks] Auction: Tolkien LORD OF THE RINGS, US 1sts in dust wrappers

[Michael John Thompson]

Up for auction, with a modest reserve


http://tinyurl.com/29uql


THE LORD OF THE RINGS comprising THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, THE TWO
TOWERS, and THE RETURN OF THE KING. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
[1954] – 1956. 1st American editions, very early and first printings.

Volume One: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING. Extremely early printing.
Original blue cloth titled in gilt on front panel & spine. No date on
title page – it should be dated 1954 under the publisher’s imprint.
Copyright page is entirely blank aside from a PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN
statement at the bottom of the page – the first impression has “First
published in the United States 1954”. Dust wrapper is not priced on the
front flap. Obviously, an extremely early printing, perhaps the second
impression. The only difference between this printing and the true 1st
is the lack of a date on the title page and the copyright page. Also,
the first printing has top page edges stained yellow, here they are
unstained. 423 pp, folding map at rear. Touch of foxing or dust soiling
to page edges. Dust wrapper: spine panel a trifle tanned, a few minor
stains to rear panel. A very good copy in dust wrapper, nice and clean,
attractive, unrestored.

THE TWO TOWERS: Extremely early printing, or perhaps a variant issue of
the 1st printing( but that’s stretching it). Original blue cloth titled
in gilt on spine & front panel. Title page is undated, but the copyright

page retains the statement “First published in the United States 1955”.
Dust wrapper is priced at $5.00. Top page edges unstained. 352 pp,
folding map at rear. Slight browning to page edges. Dustwrapper: small
chips at head and heel of spine panel, the chip at the top of the spine
extending a bit onto the rear panel of the dust wrapper with some slight

loss. Another small chip and a small closed tear to top edge of rear
panel, ¼ inch long invisible closed tear to top edge of front panel.
Some general tanning to spine and extremities, a very good copy. Of the
original printing, 1,000 copies only were bound for the 1st US edition,
but, as I say, this probably isn’t one of them.

THE RETURN OF THE KING. 1st edition, 1st issue. Original blue cloth
titled in gilt on spine & front panel. Title page is dated 1956,
copyright page is blank. Dust wrapper is priced at $5.00 Page 49 has the

sagging type and the signature mark ‘4’ at base of page. Top edges
stained yellow, but faded on this copy. Dust wrapper clean & fresh with
a few small creases, slight tanning. The book has light browning /
foxing / spotting to page edges. Very good or better copy in dust
wrapper.

OVERALL, a very attractive and integral set, likely bought new upon the
publication of the 3rd volume. The first two columns are the earliest
issues I have seen which do not bear the 1st edition points – although
the unpriced dust wrapper of the 1st volume IS a first issue point. No
bookplate or ink names, hinges all tight and unbroken, maps untorn,
cloth fine, gilt bright – a lovely set in just very slightly used dust
wrappers.

A wonderful example of the 1st edition of the last classic.

http://tinyurl.com/29uql

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Michael John Thompson
Thompson Rare Books
950 Fort Street
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada V8V 3K2
Telephone: 250-384-9977
http://www.mjtbooks.com