The Hobbit, First Four First Editions, 1937, 1937, 1942, 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien

Edité par Allen and Unwin, London, 1937

A propos de cet article

We are thrilled to offer the most unique set of books in our 23 years as a specialist Tolkien dealer, the first four editions of the Hobbit in the original very good to near fine, unrestored dust jackets. Only once before have all four been available, (by us as well, see our TV appearances). Not all our inventory is listed, please ask if you are looking for something special. We do not sell restored jackets or books, as fully original they do cost much more and will be worth much more later. Cheaper copies are almost always restored or have some other serious flaw or alteration. These flaws can't always be seen with the naked eye. That's part of what restorers charge for. We have been a dedicated specialist Tolkien dealer for more than 23 years. We know what these books are worth and don't have to keep changing our prices dramatically just to stay in business as many general and new amateur dealers do. We do adjust for currency changes. Allen & Unwin 1st/1st 1937, 1st/2nd 1937, 1st/3rd 1942 and 1st/4th 1946 printings. 1st/1st Hobbits, if they appear, now exceed £300,000, but most of these have some restoration seriously reducing their future value. The 2nd,3rd and 4th with unrestored dustjackets once appeared fairly regularly, but we have not seen them for many years, except with repaired or restored jackets. These go into collections, including legacy libraries and never come out! One of the significant features of the first ten or so printed Hobbits was the text was changed to align it as the prequel to The Lord of the Rings. The first four Hobbits were the original text with gradual modifications until the first printing 1951 2nd edition Hobbit with major changes to chapter five among others. Goblins became Orcs for example. So few of the 1942 dust jackets exist, it was thought for a time they were produced without them due to paper shortages during the war. The 1st/1st Hobbit used no colour illustrations, the 1st/2nd and later used colour. The 3rd and 4th were printed on war-time paper making the books half the thickness, with full sized dustjackets, but the cheap paper made the jackets subject rapid wear and damage especially the 3rd printing. These are just some of the features of the first four. Note, we will hand deliver these books, at cost, anywhere in the world. They are too valuable to ship.

N° de réf. du vendeur 002451

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: The Hobbit, First Four First Editions, 1937, 1937, 1942, 1944
• Éditeur: Allen and Unwin, London
• Date de parution: 1937
• Langue: anglais
• Reliure: Hardcover
• Édition: 1st Edition
• Impression: 1st Printing
• État de l'article: Near Fine
• État de la jaquette: Near Fine
• Catalogues du vendeur:
  • J.R.R. Tolkien