The Lord of the Rings trilogy, in an Asprey binding - photo 1
The Lord of the Rings trilogy, in an Asprey binding - photo 2
The Lord of the Rings trilogy, in an Asprey binding - photo 3
The Lord of the Rings trilogy, in an Asprey binding - photo 4
The Lord of the Rings trilogy, in an Asprey binding - photo 5
The Lord of the Rings trilogy, in an Asprey binding - photo 6

The Lord of the Rings trilogy, in an Asprey binding

Lot 146
06.10.2022 12:00UTC -05:00
Classic
Sold
$ 25 200
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 813675
Lot 146 | The Lord of the Rings trilogy, in an Asprey binding
Estimate value
$ 25 000 – 35 000
The Lord of the Rings trilogy, in an Asprey binding

J.R.R. Tolkien, 1954-55

TOLKIEN, John Ronald Reuel (1892-1973). Lord of the Rings Trilogy – The Fellowship of the Ring. London: Allen & Unwin, 1954. [With:] – The Two Towers. London: Allen & Unwin, 1954. [And:] – The Return of the King. London: Allen & Unwin, 1955.



First editions finely bound in full pictorial morocco gilt extra by Asprey featuring Gandalf, Smaug, Aragorn, Frodo, Samwise Gamgee, and Gollum on the covers; together with the original drawings for the design. Pristine condition. Framed beneath gilt archways, each front cover depicts a different character in multiple colors of onlaid morocco. On Fellowship of the Ring, Gandalf holds his staff with his right hand and points into the distance with his left, a full moon and clouds above. Two Towers features as Smaug writhing in the air above the River Running, the Lonely Mountain behind. Smaug's scales are stamped in silver and his wings are blue painted translucent vellum. Aragorn is on the front cover of Return of the King, wearing the Winged Crown and with his sword raised above his head. The lowers covers and the spines are all uniform and each with gilt-stamped archways. The lower covers depict Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee and Gollum trying to find their way; the spines show an elven king in full length.



The present set is comprised of the first edition, first impression of the first two books and the first edition, first impression, second state of The Return of the King. Hammond’s Tolkien bibliography originally noted that the first impression, first state, was marked by the signature mark “4” and sagging type on page 49, but has since corrected this to say that these are indicative of the first impression, second state. Hammond and Anderson A5.a.i-iii.



Three volumes, octavo (212 x 131mm). Half titles, each volume with map printed in red and black tipped in at rear. Full pictorial morocco gilt bindings by Asprey, each cover with colored morocco onlays , all edges gilt, turn-ins gilt, watered silk doublures; original dust jackets bound in at end. Half morocco clamshell box with velvet dividers stamped in gilt. [Together with:] Six original drawings for the binding by Asprey, most measuring about 295 x 209mm, housed together in a custom clamshell box.

Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
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06.10.2022 – 06.10.2022
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