J. R. R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings 5,4,2 Set 1955/56, Lovely

1956, 56, 55 Impressions 5,4,2 A lovely first edition set. Dust jacket are grey rather than tan, mich is much closer to the original unfaded colour which is extremely rare.

Uniform fading to jacket colours, but no tattering to the paper on spine ends as often found. There are tape marks to the flaps and lighter on the spines which is unfortunate, but can't be readily seen when displayed on your shelf.

Owners name in all three books indicate they have stayed together as a set. Books have tape marks to end pages, but no other serious flaws, gilt bright, pages clean. (see attached impression/year chart) Much less common, but equally probable is this 5,4,2 impressions which is the very earliest "production set" published in 56, with leftover 55 RotK you could have bought. The only way you could be sure, as in this case, the original owner signed all three books. We have been a professional Tolkien dealer for over 20 years.

All our photos are the actual item! As Tolkien book collecting grows in popularity, the availability of collectible/investment original condition books and jackets disappears. It is not just the printing/edition that matters to the value, but that serious collectors want only the best condition. Books with damaged jackets or even no jackets at all, are now increasing in price, driving up the price of complete and better condition copies. That's how important condition is to value.

Unlike other genre's, the market for Tolkien early editions is quite mature and well established. It is not a matter of waiting for a better copy to come along. There aren't going to be any! There are no more hiding in the attic or charity shops. People sell off their more worn copies when they upgrade and now leave their collections to their children.

We've been a specialist dealer for 20 years. Some examples that were plentiful just two years ago are now completely gone or only the dregs appear. First editions The Lord of the Rings and Hobbits remain the most in demand.