vendredi 23 juin 2023

J. R. R. TOLKIEN | THE LORD OF THE RINGS. The Fellowship of the Ring. The Two Towers. The Return of the King. London : George Allen & Unwin ltd. Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company. First edition. Later printings (12/9/8). Exquisite full dark blue morocco fine leather binding with the gilt "Ring & Eye" design stamped on the both covers. Extremely rare and absolutely spectacular. A really wonderful precious one !


J. R. R. TOLKIEN

THE LORD OF THE RINGS. The Fellowship of the Ring. The Two Towers. The Return of the King.

London : George Allen & Unwin ltd. Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company.

3 vol. 8vo 9.0" x 6.0" inches (23 x 15,5 cm) 423pp, folding map ; 352pp, folding map ; 416pp, folding map.

First edition. Later printings (12/9/8).

The Fellowship of the Ring. First edition first published in July 1954. Twelfth impression 1962.

The Two Towers. First edition first published 1954. Ninth impression 1962.

The Return of the King. First edition first published, October 1955. Eight impression 1961.

Printed in Great Britain in 11 on 12 point Imprint type by Jarrold & Sons Ltd, Norwich.

Each volume with a folding map at the end printed in red and black, top edges stained red.

Exquisite full dark blue morocco fine leather binding, gilt ruled covers with the gilt "Ring & Eye" design stamped on the both covers, spine with decorated 5 raised bands ans two red gilt lettered morocco labels in the second and fourth compartments, with intertwined "J.R.R.T." initials in the bottom compartment.

The amazing quality of the binding in in the style of Sangorski & Sutcliffe in fine condition.

Extremely rare and absolutely spectacular.


Tolkien began The Lord of the Rings between 16 and 19 December 1937, three months after The Hobbit was published and George Allen & Unwin were encouraging Tolkien, against his inclination, to write a sequel. As C. S. Lewis commented: "If Ariosto rivalled it in invention (in fact he does not) he would still lack its heroic seriousness. No imaginary world has been projected which is at once so multifarious and so true to its own inner laws; none so seemingly objective, so disinfected from the taint of the author's merely individual psychology, no so relevant to the actual human situation yet so free from allegory. And what fine shading there is in the variations of style to meet the almost endless diversity of scenes and characters - comic, homely, epic, monstrous, or diabolic."



J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" is a timeless epic that weaves a tapestry of adventure, heroism, and profound themes. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to Tolkien's masterful storytelling, his richly imagined world of Middle-earth, and the timeless lessons it imparts to readers. Whether you are a fan of fantasy literature or simply appreciate a captivating tale, "The Lord of the Rings" is an absolute must-read.​ "The Lord of the Rings" has had an enormous impact on popular culture. Its success led to the development of film adaptations directed by Peter Jackson, which garnered critical acclaim and introduced Middle-earth to a wider audience. The books have been translated into numerous languages, inspiring subsequent generations of fantasy authors and serving as a touchstone for the genre. Tolkien's vivid storytelling and meticulous world-building continue to captivate readers to this day.



Inutile de présenter en français le Seigneur des Anneaux, livre au gigantesque retentissement universel et dont l'adaptation cinématographique n'a fait qu'amplifier une renommée déjà acquise. Les trois volets de ce roman-monde fantasy : La communauré de l'anneau. Les deux tours et Le retour du roi, ont été traduits pour la première fois en français par Francis Ledoux pour l'éditeur Christian Bourgois en 1972.



Les exemplaires de la première édition anglaise (même en impressions tardives comme ici) luxueusement reliés en maroquin décoré du fer spécial de "l'oeil de Sauron" sont très recherchés et deviendront de plus en plus rares sur le marché.








Parfait exemplaire. Un véritable "precieux".

A really wonderful precious one !

Prix : 6.500 euros