The Hobbit, by JRR Tolkien. This is the ULTRA rare first George Allen & Unwin paperback printing. The copyright page shows it is the 3rd edition, 16th impression from 1966, which is the first time that George Allen & Unwin published it in paperback. The Hobbit was first published in paperback by Puffin in 1961, but this book is FAR rarer. It is so rare that many people didn't even believe it existed until recently, as they had never seen a paperback earlier than a 17th impression, but a few examples have now been discovered. I believe this is the only one currently for sale anywhere in the world. Research by Tolkien collectors suggests that the paperback 3rd/16th had a problem with the binding, so it's quite likely that only a small number were sold. In this copy, the last few pages are detached, which seems to confirm this research and forms an important part of its history. Condition The cover has only very light creasing. The binding is square and tight. The spine has very light creasing but is "unbroken". The pages are clean, with no ownership names or inscriptions. There is no foxing and only very light marks to the edges of the text block. There is a little wear/splitting at the top and bottom of the spine. The last few pages are detached, but this is historically important.