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J.R.R. TOLKIEN The Fellowship of the Ring US 1st EDITION 1st Printing 1954 Map
$2,500.00
Guaranteed Authentic
U.S. First edition first printing of J.R.R. TOLKIEN's The Fellowship of the Ring Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 1954, with included map. Cloth-bound hardcover, no dust jacket. Notably, the original owner of this book, Paula M. Strain, was a correspondent of J. R. R. Tolkien, having written him a letter to which Tolkien replied in 1962. One of just 1500 1st impression copies made.
A true US First Edition with 1954 on both the title page and print page. A fold out map in the back includes a red dot off the coast of Umbar as a first state point.
The Fellowship of the Ring is the first of three volumes of the epic novel The Lord of the Rings by the English author J. R. R. Tolkien. It takes place in the fictional universe Middle-Earth. It was originally published on July 29, 1954 in the United Kingdom. The volume consists of a Prologue Concerning Hobbits, and other matters followed by Book I and Book II.
Tolkien's publisher worried that the 'high-fantasy' novel wouldn't sell, and broke the text into three volumes to cut costs: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. Because the popularity had not been tested, initial print runs on the trilogy were low, making first states scarce and valuable.
Condition is as shown / Very Good Condition. Octavo. Publisher’s blue cloth stamped in gilt. Lacking dust jacket. Moderate shelf and handling wear overall, including fraying and rubbing at spine ends and corners, most noticeably at the head and tail of the spine and lower front corner. Cloth remains relatively bright and clean with only light general soiling and fading. Gilt titling on spine and upper board remains clear and attractive. Ownership inscription to front free endpaper. Map present at rear. Rear internal hinge cracked/split with mull visible, though binding remains holding and text block still attached. Please review all images carefully for exact condition.
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A handsome and impressive addition to any truly exceptional book, Fantasy literature or LOTR collection. An exceptional investment opportunity, and a truly rare and remarkable find.
Sold as is, as shown.