Books and other printed materials >> LotR A&U first edition / early impressions - difference in size?
LotR A&U first edition / early impressions - difference in size?
12 Dec, 2022
2022-12-12 5:38:27 AM UTC
2022-12-12 5:38:27 AM UTC
Hi everyone,
I'm new to the site - and what a pleasure it is to explore.
I've noticed a small difference in the size of the binding of the early A&U impressions I have (FR smaller than the other two), and would be interested to know how widespread this might have been and when it disappeared.
The front board of my FR (3rd impression) measures 222 mm x 140 mm (with page height 217 mm) whereas my TT (2nd) measures 227 mm x 145 mm (with page height 222 mm). RK 2nd imp. appears to be the same size as TT.
I found some pictures of another early set online, where FR is a 3rd impression, and I think I can make out a similar difference in the height at least.
I'm wondering if any other impressions may have been bound at that smaller size (whether FR or other) or if this was an outlier.
It only occurs to me now but I guess this might even be seen in the size of the HMCO 3rd impression as well since they would have been bound from the same (UK) sheets?
I'm new to the site - and what a pleasure it is to explore.
I've noticed a small difference in the size of the binding of the early A&U impressions I have (FR smaller than the other two), and would be interested to know how widespread this might have been and when it disappeared.
The front board of my FR (3rd impression) measures 222 mm x 140 mm (with page height 217 mm) whereas my TT (2nd) measures 227 mm x 145 mm (with page height 222 mm). RK 2nd imp. appears to be the same size as TT.
I found some pictures of another early set online, where FR is a 3rd impression, and I think I can make out a similar difference in the height at least.
I'm wondering if any other impressions may have been bound at that smaller size (whether FR or other) or if this was an outlier.
It only occurs to me now but I guess this might even be seen in the size of the HMCO 3rd impression as well since they would have been bound from the same (UK) sheets?
Yes. Most of the sheets of the 3rd impression were sent to HMCO for the 3rd US printing, which is actually the second US printing (as there is no proper 2nd US printing).remy wrote:
As an aside:
I think the UK 3rd Impression FOTR had the lowest print run (500 Copies) of any of the UK or US Lord of the Rings First Editions.
https://tolkienbooks.net/php/details2.php?id=290
Not an easy one to ever find.
Regarding the smallest print run of both UK and US 1st editions, don't forget that US FotR 4th and 5th printings also have a print run of 500 copies each. These are also really difficult to find.
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