The Hobbit.
$275,000 · Offered by Biblio
First edition
London: George Allen Unwin Ltd, 1937. First edition, first issue of Tolkien's classic tale, "among the very highest achievements of children’s authors during the 20th century” (Carpenter Prichard, 530). Octavo, original cloth, cartographic endpapers, frontispiece and 9 full-page uncolored illustrations after drawings by Tolkien. Published on September 21, 1937 with a first printing of only 1500 copies, The Hobbit had completely sold out by December 15. Near fine in a unrestored very good first-issue dust jacket after a design by Tolkien with the hand-correction to "Dodgeson" on the rear inside flap, priced 7s. 6d on the front flap, corners slightly creased and chipped, spine ends chipped. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box by the Harcourt Bindery. Founded over a century ago in 1900, the Harcourt Bindery is the oldest and largest traditional bindery in America exclusively devoted to fine traditional leather bookbinding by hand. Rare and desirable without any of the usual restoration. In enchanted Middle-earth, a small, comfort-loving Hobbit is awakened from his slumbers by a visitor who tells of lost treasure. Before Bilbo Baggins returns home again, he journeys past wizards and elves, talkative trees and treasure-guarding dragons, all swirling in cosmic battle between good and evil. J.R.R. Tolkien s fully realized fantasy world won over generations of children, and dazzled adults with its deft interweaving of medieval legend and made-up languages, maps, and creatur
- Publisher: George Allen & Unwin Ltd
- Year: 1937
- Edition: First Edition
- Printing: first
- Binding: hardcover
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