An original Second Edition, Twelfth Impression (1961) of The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien, published by George Allen & Unwin Ltd, London.
This is a genuine early UK printing, confirmed by the publisher’s imprint page listing the Twelfth Impression (1961), with the full printing history present and intact.
The book retains its original Tolkien-designed dust jacket, featuring the iconic mountain, forest, and runic border artwork by the author himself, a highly desirable collector feature.
Complete with all original illustrations and maps, including the Desolation of Smaug map and Tolkien’s internal artwork.
Publication Details:
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Title: The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
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Author: J. R. R. Tolkien
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Illustrated by: The Author
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Publisher: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, London
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Printer: Unwin Brothers Ltd, Woking and London
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Edition: Second Edition
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Impression: Twelfth Impression
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Year: 1961
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Original price: 12s. 6d. net
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Dust jacket: Original, Tolkien-designed
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Maps: Present and complete
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Illustrations: Present and complete
Condition:
Book:
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Green cloth boards clean and bright
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Binding firm and intact
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Spine artwork clear
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Pages clean and well preserved
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No inscriptions or ownership marks
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No loose pages
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Maps and illustrations intact
Dust Jacket:
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Correct original Tolkien artwork
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General age-related wear
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Edge chipping and tears
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Spine splits and creasing
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Old internal tape repairs to flaps
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Small losses at folds and edges
On Tolkien and the Hobbit
The Hobbit was first published in 1937, marking the literary debut of Middle-earth and the beginning of one of the most influential mythologies in modern literature. Tolkien initially wrote the story as a children’s tale for his own family, but its depth, linguistic richness, and mythic structure quickly distinguished it from contemporary fantasy.
The success of The Hobbit directly led to the creation of The Lord of the Rings, transforming Tolkien from a university professor of philology into one of the most important literary figures of the 20th century.
The Second Edition (1951) introduced Tolkien’s first major textual revisions, aligning the story more closely with the emerging legendarium of Middle-earth. These post-1951 editions represent the canonical version of the text as integrated into Tolkien’s wider mythology.
The 1961 Twelfth Impression belongs to the early post-war Tolkien publishing era, a period when Tolkien’s readership expanded rapidly in the UK and internationally, prior to the mass-market paperback boom. Books from this period remain highly collectible as early authentic Allen & Unwin printings, produced before Tolkien became a global cultural phenomenon.
The dust jacket artwork, designed by Tolkien himself, is considered one of the most iconic pieces of fantasy book design in literary history, making original jackets especially desirable among collectors.
Collection Details:
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Genuine early UK printing
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Original Allen & Unwin publication
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Original Tolkien-designed dust jacket
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Complete maps and illustrations
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Verified printing history page
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Highly collectible Tolkien period edition
