In de Ban van de Ring: De Reisgenoten – First Dutch Edition, Signed by J.R.R. Tolkien

A first Dutch edition with an unusual association: an ex-library copy signed by Tolkien for P.A. Hekstra during Tolkien’s visit to the Netherlands.

Utrecht and Antwerp: Het Spectrum, 1956. First Dutch edition, first impression of The Fellowship of the Ring, translated by Max Schuchart. 467 pages plus one unnumbered page; hardback measuring approximately 22.5 × 14.5 cm.

Bound in brown linen, with the Spectrum device in a red panel on the rear board and gilt lettering and rules against red panels on the spine. The olive-green first-edition dust jacket, illustrated by Cees Kelfkens with four hobbits, two Black Riders, a red flame and a great eye, misprints Tolkien’s initials as “J.J.R. Tolkien”. The jacket on this copy was supplied from another first edition.

An ex-library copy with stamps and signs of institutional use. Some pages have turned corners, but the text block remains clean, without foxing, though a few pages show minor staining. The boards retain protective tape, writing and a green library label, with a small “Tol2” label at the foot of the spine. The supplied dust jacket has wear and damage at the corners and edges, including a tear reinforced with yellowed tape.

A newspaper clipping is mounted on the half-title, recording P.A. Hekstra giving a lecture on Tolkien and showing Tolkien with Hekstra; Tolkien’s name is misprinted as “J.A.R. Tolkien”. A small previous-owner’s signature is also present on the half-title.

According to the original catalogue description, P.A. Hekstra bought this as a library copy and subsequently had J.R.R. Tolkien sign the front free endpaper during Tolkien’s visit to the Netherlands.

A distinctive signed Tolkien association copy, combining the first Dutch edition with an unusual history of ownership.