Tolkien, J.R.R. (1954-55) ‘The Lord of the Rings’, UK first edition set rebound in full leather

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1954-55) ‘The Lord of the Rings‘, published by George Allen & Unwin. All three volumes are first editions with The Fellowship of the Ring being a second impreesion, and The Two Towers and The Return Of the King being first impressions respectively. Most luxuriously rebound in full green leather. Housed in a green leather slipcase.

Condition: the books present in fine condition. There are no previous owners’ marks, no names, no bookplates. All three volumes also come with their original maps.

Production details: All three books are rebound in full green leather with the Eye of Sauron and the One Ring stamped in gild to the front board replicating the original dust jacket design. The first volume also shows the Fellowship, the second volume shows Gandalf, and the third volume shows the Tree of Gondor stamped in gild to the rear boards. The spines have four raised bands and display in gild: the volume’s title, author, volume number in Roman numerals and respective date, as well as Tolkien’s monogram and a distinct individual head. All three volumes have green marbled endpapers, and the page block edges have also been gilded. The full green leather slipcase reads ‘The Lord of the Rings | J.R.R. Tokien’ to the rear which is visible when placed on the shelf. One side shows again the Eye of Sauron with the One Ring as per original dust jackets, and the other side shows a unique amalgam design referring to all three titles. Inside the slipcase we see the Gate of Moria to the rea, and the maps to the side.

The Fellowship of the Ring had a first impression print run of 3,000 copies, this second impression was printed to 2,500 copioes; The Two Towers saw 3,250 copies printed; and The Return of the King was printed in 7,000 copies.