{"product_id":"j-r-r-tolkien-the-lord-of-the-rings-first-edition-early-impression-set-1955-1956","title":"J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, First Edition Early Impression Set, 1955–1956","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"qMYqUG_convSearchResultHighlightRoot\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none [\u0026amp;:has([data-writing-block])\u0026gt;*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-8 [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"LR5Y_W_content markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full light markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\" class=\"\"\u003eOverview:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eAn attractive early first-edition set of J.R.R. Tolkien’s \u003cem\u003eThe Lord of the Rings\u003c\/em\u003e, published by George Allen \u0026amp; Unwin in the original red cloth bindings. The set comprises early impressions of all three volumes and retains the important original folding maps printed in red and black.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe set comprises:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Fellowship of the Ring: First Edition, Fifth Impression, December 1956\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Two Towers: First Edition, Fourth Impression, 1956\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Return of the King: First Edition, Second Impression, November 1955\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eParticularly notable is \u003cem\u003eThe Return of the King\u003c\/em\u003e, which is the second impression, published in November 1955, only one month after the first impression appeared in October.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003eMaps\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eAll three volumes retain their original folding maps, including the large map of Middle-earth and the detailed map of Rohan, Gondor and Mordor. Printed in black and red, these maps were an integral feature of the original Allen \u0026amp; Unwin editions and are frequently damaged or absent from surviving copies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe maps in this set remain particularly well preserved, with the original folds present and no significant losses noted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003eProvenance: The Casley Family\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eOf additional interest is the Casley family provenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eOne volume bears an engraved armorial bookplate for Casley, displaying a two-towered castle upon the shield, surmounted by a lion rampant and surrounded by the motto:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eMalo Mori Quam Foedari\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Better to die than be dishonoured.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThese arms and motto are recorded in nineteenth-century heraldic sources for Wilbraham John Braddick Casley (1850–1922), of Coatham, Redcar, Yorkshire, whose family is described in Fairbairn's \u003cem\u003eBook of Crests\u003c\/em\u003e as \"Casley (formerly De Chastelai).\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe family included Wilbraham's son, Lieutenant Hugh de Chastelai Casley (1886–1915), a constructional engineer who served with the 6th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment during the First World War. He was killed during the Gallipoli campaign on 7 August 1915 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eAn additional manuscript ownership inscription appears to read \"Louis [or Lewis] de C. Casley\", possibly employing an abbreviated form of the family's \u003cem\u003ede Chastelai\u003c\/em\u003e name. The precise individual represented by this inscription has not yet been conclusively identified, so no direct ownership by Wilbraham or Hugh Casley is claimed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe bookplate nevertheless provides an interesting connection between this early Tolkien set and an identifiable British family library with roots extending into the Victorian period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eBound in the publisher's original red cloth with gilt titles to the spines. Some fading, rubbing, marks and general shelf wear to the cloth, with wear around the extremities and spine ends consistent with age and use. The gilt remains clearly legible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eInternally generally well preserved. All three original folding maps are present and remain in good condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eLacking the original dust jackets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003ePlease look at the photographs, if need I can produce more for your evaluation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003eWhy Buy This Set?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eWhile not first impressions, these are genuine first-edition printings from the original 1950s publication period, including the particularly early second impression of \u003cem\u003eThe Return of the King\u003c\/em\u003e. The survival of all three original folding maps, original publisher's bindings and the unusual Casley family provenance makes this an appealing set for a Tolkien collector who wants an early \u003cem\u003eLord of the Rings\u003c\/em\u003e without the considerable cost associated with a first-impression set in dust jackets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"z-0 flex min-h-[46px] justify-start\"\u003eDimensions (For all three):\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"z-0 flex min-h-[46px] justify-start\"\u003eWeight - 1.77kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"z-0 flex min-h-[46px] justify-start\"\u003eHeight - 22.5cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"z-0 flex min-h-[46px] justify-start\"\u003eWidth - 14.5cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"z-0 flex min-h-[46px] justify-start\"\u003eThickness - 9cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mt-3 w-full empty:hidden has-[\u0026gt;_:empty]:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-center\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Momo Rare Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54950009340243,"sku":null,"price":750.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0953\/9187\/5411\/files\/IMG_9129.jpg?v=1789481245","url":"https:\/\/www.momorarebooks.co.uk\/products\/j-r-r-tolkien-the-lord-of-the-rings-first-edition-early-impression-set-1955-1956","provider":"Momo Rare Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}