The Lord of the Rings, George Allen & Unwin, 1954/54/55 1st UK Edition. Rebound set

The Lord of the Rings, George Allen & Unwin, 1954/54/55 1st UK Edition.

The true 1st Printing of the Lord of the Rings, beautifully rebound in full black Nigerian goatskin. Includes all original maps in Near Fine condition

A complete set of ‘The Lord of the Rings’, all true UK first editions and first impressions published by George Allen & Unwin.

The Fellowship of the Ring is a 1st impression published in 1954.

The Two Towers is a 1st impression published in 1954.

The Return of the King is a 1st impression published in 1955, true 1st State with the signature mark ‘4’ at the bottom of page 49.

All original maps are present and in Near Fine condition. Beautifully rebound in full black Nigerian goatskin. Five raised bands to the spine. All three page block edges gilded. Embossed and gilded are the corresponding titles and author on the spines. Each front panel also bears Sauron’s eye surrounded by elvish runes and the Ring – a design developed by Tolkien himself which also graces the front panels of the original dust jackets. Marbled endpapers as shown.

Condition: presented in near fine condition. There are no previous owners’ names, no stamps, no inscriptions, nor graffiti of any sorts. Fellowship of the Ring has a little foxing/ageing on the half title and a few spots on a few pages, but nothing major. The Fellowship of the Ring has a slight bow to the outer top corner on the pages. The other two books are in near fine condition.

This set is a significant addition to any Tolkien collection, beautifully showcasing the first editions of this timeless trilogy.