J.R.R. Tolkien — The Return of the King

Being the Third Part of The Lord of the Rings

Houghton Mifflin Company Boston / The Riverside Press Cambridge

Printed in Great Britain

THE BOOK:

Houghton Mifflin Company Boston / The Riverside Press Cambridge imprint on title page

1956 date stated on title page

No printing statement on copyright page

Printed in Great Britain stated on copyright page

Books listed on copyright page: The Hobbit, Farmer Giles of Ham, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers — The Return of the King not listed — consistent with first impression

No Allen & Unwin device on half title page

Publisher's Note present on page 416

Signature mark 4 confirmed at foot of page 49 — documented first state bibliographic point

Text clean and unmarked throughout

Binding tight and square

No foxing, inscriptions or ownership marks

Fold-out map present at rear, intact and in excellent condition

THE DUST JACKET:

Original Walter Lorraine illustrated dust jacket

Unclipped and unrestored

Grey/silver color

$5.00 price on front flap

Dollar sign on $5.00 price shows two uprights through the S — consistent with first impression jacket point

Rear panel advertises both The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers with contemporary reviews

No foxing or restoration to jacket

IMPRESSION ASSESSMENT:

Based on the following points in combination — 1956 date on title page, Riverside Press Cambridge imprint, Printed in Great Britain, Return of the King not listed on copyright page, signature mark 4 confirmed at foot of page 49, and double upright dollar sign on dust jacket price — this copy is consistent with the first impression of January 1956.