TOLKIEN, J. R. R.
The Lord of the Rings.
London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1954–1955.
First Edition, Early Impressions. Three Volumes.
Octavo. Original red cloth, gilt titles to spines, top edges stained red. Each volume with Tolkien’s distinctive runic borders to the title pages and folding maps present and complete at rear.
Volume I – The Fellowship of the Ring.
First published July 1956. 5th impression. Folding map present.
Volume II – The Two Towers.
First published 1954. Second impression, 1955. Folding map present.
Volume III – The Return of the King.
First published October 1955. Second impression, November 1955. Folding maps present.
London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd. Printed by Jarrold & Sons Ltd, Norwich.
Condition:
- Bindings firm and sound
- light rubbing and edge wear
- Spines intact with clear gilt lettering
- Corners of cover bending slightly inwards
- Text blocks clean with moderate age toning (occasional foxing can be found specifically on the fore-edge)
- Folding maps clean and intact (the map in Return of the King is loose, but still present)
- pages 141-148 in fellowship of the ring is loose
- No ownership inscriptions or bookplates noted
- Dust jackets not present
Please see photographs for reference to condition.
The History of The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings was conceived as a sequel to The Hobbit (1937), but evolved over more than a decade into a work of far greater scope and complexity. Written largely between 1937 and 1949, the novel was initially intended to be published as a single volume. Due to post-war paper shortages and production costs, publisher George Allen & Unwin elected to issue the work in three separately titled volumes, released between 1954 and 1955.
The initial print runs were notably small, reflecting uncertainty about the commercial viability of such an ambitious work. As a result, early impressions—particularly complete sets retaining original maps—are now scarce. Despite modest initial sales, the book rapidly gained critical acclaim and a devoted readership, laying the foundation for modern high fantasy literature and establishing Tolkien as one of the most influential authors of the twentieth century.
J. R. R. Tolkien (1892–1973)
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was an English philologist, academic, and writer, best known as the creator of Middle-earth. He served as Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at the University of Oxford and later as Merton Professor of English Language and Literature. A leading authority on Old and Middle English, Tolkien’s scholarly expertise profoundly shaped the languages, histories, and mythologies of his fictional world.
Deeply influenced by Norse, Anglo-Saxon, and Finnish legend, Tolkien spent much of his life developing an interconnected legendarium, of which The Lord of the Rings forms the central narrative. The work’s unprecedented depth of world-building, linguistic invention, and moral vision has had a lasting impact on literature, popular culture, and subsequent generations of writers. Tolkien’s reputation and collecting interest have only increased since his death, with early editions of his major works now firmly established as cornerstones of modern literary collecting.
Notes
A complete first-edition set in early impressions, retaining all original folding maps and offered in original publisher’s cloth. While lacking dust jackets, the set remains a highly desirable example of Tolkien’s landmark work and represents an important survival of one of the most influential literary achievements of the twentieth century.
Dimensions (For all three books):
Weight - 1.73KG
Height - 23cm
Width - 15cm
Thickness - 8.7cm
