ID 1450477
Lot 130 | TOLKIEN, John Ronald Reuel (1892-1973)
Estimate value
£ 18 000 – 25 000
[Lord of the Rings Trilogy]. Comprising: - 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, first impressions of the greatest fantasy trilogy of all time.
The Lord of the Rings is widely recognized as the foundational work of modern fantasy, establishing the conventions of epic world-building while also demonstrating that fantasy could be taken seriously as literature and enjoyed by a broad audience. Its profound exploration of the struggle between good and evil, the dangers of power, and the nature of mortality has deeply influenced both the genre and popular culture, inspiring countless authors, films, and games, and cementing its place as a central pillar in the literary and cultural landscape. The Return of the King with the signature mark ‘4’ and sagging type on page 49, originally noted by Hammond to be indicative of the first impression, first state, but which are now believed to indicate the first impression, second or third state. Hammond and Anderson A5.a.i-iii.
3 volumes, octavo. Half-titles, each volume with map printed in red and black tipped in at rear (a very few minor marginal blemishes). Original red cloth (slight lean to spines and minor rubbing to corners, small dampstain to lower board of Two Towers with associated colour transfer to foot of jacket’s rear flap and lower margin of final 2 leaves); original pictorial dust jackets printed in red, black, and gold (some toning and rubbing to spines, light wear at corners and small chips at foot of spines, Fellowship with 85mm split to fold of front flap).
Artist: | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892 - 1973) |
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Place of origin: | Northern Europe, Europe, United Kingdom |
Auction house category: | Books and manuscripts, Printed books |
Artist: | John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892 - 1973) |
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Place of origin: | Northern Europe, Europe, United Kingdom |
Auction house category: | Books and manuscripts, Printed books |
Address of auction |
CHRISTIE'S 8 King Street, St. James's SW1Y 6QT London United Kingdom | |
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Preview |
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Phone | +44 (0)20 7839 9060 | |
Buyer Premium | see on Website | |
Conditions of purchase | Conditions of purchase |
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