Tolkien, Lord Of The Rings 1st Ed, 5/4/2, 1956/56/55, Fine Binding, Stunning

THE LORD OF THE RINGS, comprising: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING; THE TWO TOWERS; THE RETURN OF THE KING (3 VOLS) FINE BINDINGS First Ed, 5th / 4th / 2nd IN CUSTOM MADE CLAMSHELL CASE. By J R R TOLKIEN. Published by GEORGE ALLEN AND UNWIN, LTD. An early set of The Lord of the Rings, J R R Tolkien, published by George Allen and Unwin, London, early impressions after the first editions, as follows.

The Fellowship of the Ring - 1st Ed, Fifth Imp 1956 / The Two Towers - 1st Ed, Fourth Imp 1956 / The Return of the King - 1st Ed, 2nd Imp 1955. They come in a lovely clamshell box in red quarter leather.

Each volume is bound in full red calf with the eye in the ring motif that appeared on the dustwrappers of the 1st editions on the front boards, with single line gilt frame. The spines have gilt compartments and raised bands, with gilt stamped black labels. Attractive marbled endpapers to each, with inner dentelles around edges.

Internally the books are EXCEPTIONALLY clean, with only the occasional fault. The creamy paper shows no blemishes except in a couple of places (see pictures). The maps are intact, with the first having had a glue spot that pulled on the facing colophon (see pics). The first map is a little marked on the rear, but not on the printed side.

The Return of the King map shows a small tear on the fold near the paste in, and a little bit of wear and discoloration to the outer edge. There are also two dark marks to one leaf in the volume on the outer margin (pictured) - which is the only noticeable sign of age. The bindings are tight, clean, open easily and are expertly done. DM me for any questions. Thank you for your interest!