LOT #45109 |
Sold on Dec 15, 2025 for: Sign-in
or Join (free & quick)
J. R. R. Tolkien. The Lord of the Rings: comprising The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of ...
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Sold on Dec 15, 2025 for:
$250,000.00
Bid Source: HA.com/Live bidder
Get one of these:
Explore Available Items
Description
J. R. R. Tolkien. The Lord of the Rings: comprising The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd., 1954-1955.3 volumes, 8vo. In-text illustration by Tolkien in Fellowship ("The Doors of Durin"); folding map by the author's son, Christopher Tolkien, tipped-in at rear of each volume. Publisher's red cloth, spines stamped in gilt, top edges red; original illustrated dust jackets. Housed together in a custom quarter morocco slipcase, decorated in gilt, spines with onlaid "Ring and Eye" designs, and one, two, or three rings, by R. Patron, Hollywood CA.
A SUPERLATIVE SET IN VERY FINE UNRESTORED CONDITION.
FIRST EDITIONS, FIRST IMPRESSIONS. The Fellowship of the Ring, first edition, first impression, in the first state dust jacket; The Two Towers, first edition, first impression, in the first state dust jacket; The Return of the King, first edition, first impression, variant 3 of p. 49 with sagging text and signature mark "4" present, variant 2 of p. 281 with the gap in "Men" closed, in a second state dust jacket with reviews of the first two books on rear flap (no priority of issue).
Condition: Fellowship with some light bumping to spine ends and at foot of front board near joint, and a few very minor soil or ink marks near top of both boards; very slight discoloration to front free endpapers at gutter of Fellowship, otherwise the bindings are extremely fine, endpapers without typical toning or discoloration, or any signs of foxing. Dust jackets unclipped (all priced "21s net"), Return has one tiny closed tear at bottom of spine, one tiny chip at head of rear flap fold, and a few fine scratches on rear, the remainder with only the slightest hints of soiling, with virtually no defects beyond some very slight wrinkling/rubbing at spine extremities, and creasing along flap folds. Overall, an extraordinary set in pristine condition, without any signs of restoration.
References: Hammond & Anderson A5a.i, ii, and iii; Hammond, "Addenda and Corrigenda," The Tolkien Collector, Vol. 11 (1995) and Vol. 23 (2000).
Provenance: The Library of a Minnesota Collector.
Auction Info
2025 December 15 Rare Books Signature® Auction #6323 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2025
15th
Monday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 17
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 2,147
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% of the successful bid per lot.
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms