Tolkien, J.R.R. (1937) ‘The Hobbit’, UK first edition second impression

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1937) ‘The Hobbit – or There and Back Again’, UK first edition, second impression, published by George Allen & Unwin. Housed in a luxurious full leather solander box with the dragon design to stamped in gold to front and back, as well as title, author and the rune symbol to the spine.

Condition: a very good to near fine book lacking the original dust jacket. Internally absolutely clean without any previous owners’ names, bookplates nor stamps. The boards’ green colour of the cloth remains fresh and clean. the spine a little toned. Minor shelf wear to spine tips as shown. A beautiful copy and rare in this clean state.

The second impression was published in the same year as the first impression, and was the first impression featuring colour illustrations. The print run of the sheets was 2,300 copies and they were bound in different months starting in December 1937 until June 1940. 423 sheets burned during the Blitz. Of the surviving copies many have been altered by children’s hands (we have seen many copies with the black and white illustrations coloured in), or people penned their name in ink. This copy remains absolutely clean and in its original state. A landmark children’s and fantasy book, enjoyed by generations.