Thanks for the excellent information, Wayne. Thinking about it, I think I now remember seeing pictures on eBay where the Hobbit was a larger size. Of course, this probably means that I will need to buy one for completeness sake. Sigh.

Thanks Findegil! I should have known (a) your information is accurate and well sourced, and (b) to check The Tolkien Collector for updated information.

I am going to ask about the endpapers and see if EP has any information on when (or if) the "Pegasus" design was used.

Easton Press confirmed that The Hobbit was reduced in size when combined with The Lord of the Rings into a four volume set (before the Silmarillion). They were not sure of the date this happened, as the publishing archives are now offsite - a project for someone someday to go dig through if useful!

Also, the pegasus paper endsheets were used for the "Masterpieces of Fantasy" collection, which was discontinued in 2009. Again, not sure when that collection started, but the original (and subsequent) EP editions have the silk endpapers.

Also, "Letters from Father Christmas." But don't worry, here's a cheap copy for sale:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Easton-Press- ... m2c5f78ca35#ht_499wt_1412

Believe it or not, the last copy of the Easton Press Letters from Father Christmas sold on Ebay for a BIN of STG£449 recently.