"Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it."
— P.J. O'Rourke

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE, is best remembered for the creation of 'Middle Earth' and the series of legends and adventures set within, beginning with the acclaimed children's tale The Hobbit (1936) and continuing through the epic trilogy The Lord of the Rings (1954-5) and the posthumously published mythopoeic volume The Silmarilion (1977).
His debut novel The Hobbit is a much-loved masterpiece, and seldom has any book been so widely read and loved as this classic story; its hero, Bilbo Baggins, has taken his place among the ranks of the immortals: Alice, Pooh, Toad... Tolkien's 'Middle-Earth' is a vast mine of treasures and knowledge, its roots delving deep into folklore, mythology and language, and The Hobbit is an ideal introduction to this richly imagined world, which was more fully and complexly realised in 'The Rings' series. This fantastical trilogy, comprising The Fellowship of the Rings, The Two Towers and The Return of the King is regarded as one of the greatest works of the twentieth century, containing amazing details of a new mythology, never really surpassed. It is the basis for the hugely successful film series directed by Peter Jackson, 'The Return' [2003] winning a record 11 Oscars from 11 nominations.
See below our stock of J. R. R. Tolkien First Editions, fine bindings, sets and other collectible material.
London: George Allen & Unwin, 1972. [Children's Illustrated] VINTAGE COPY, the ninth printing in the same format as the first. Octavo (20 x 14cm), pp.79 [1]. With two dichromatic plates, including a frontispiece, and numerous in-text wood engravings by Baynes. Publisher's cream cloth with blue titles to spine, a blue..... More
London: George Allen and Unwin, 1962. [Fantasy Classic] LEATHER BOUND SET, later impressions of the First Edition; the 12th, ninth, and ninth respectively. Complete in three volumes. Octavo (23 x 14 x 10cm), pp.[2] 423 [1]; pp.352; pp.416. With a folding map, and the original cloth spine, at the rear..... More
London: Book Club Associates, 1971. [Fantasy Classic] FIRST HARDBACK ONE VOLUME EDITION WITH JACKET. Octavo (21 x 13cm), pp.1077 [1]. With occasional maps illustrated by the author. Publisher's brown cloth with gilt titles to spine. With the colour-illustrated dust-jacket, not priced. A crisp, clean copy, with a little sunning and..... More
London: Book Club Associates, 1971. [Fantasy Classic] FIRST HARDBACK ONE-VOLUME EDITION WITH JACKET. Octavo (21 x 13cm), pp.1077 [1]. With occasional maps illustrated by the author. Publisher's brown cloth with gilt titles to spine. With the colour-illustrated dust-jacket, not priced. Lacking flyleaves, some toning to edges and jacket spine, otherwise..... More