The Hobbit 1955 2nd Edition, 3rd Impression (Seventh Impression Overall) by J.R.R. Tolkien with original dust jacket. Published by Houghton Mifflin. This early American Hardback edition of The hobbit is in exquisite condition with the ORIGINAL unclipped dust jacket. Dust jacket presents beautifully with minor chipping and loss to the spine ends and corners. Slight foxing present on the dust cover, see photos provided. All photos are of the exact item for auction. The khaki cloth binding, along with the signature mark 'C' on page 49 and unclipped letter 'e' in the word "the" on page 20, line 6 indicated this is an American edition, seventh impression. Original dust jacket matches, listing 'Seventh edition' at bottom of front flap. This is a very scarce copy, with only 1000 copies total printed back in 1955. The binding, pages, and maps are in excellent condition, with the red and black ink still showing bright and clear! Right edge of the front endpaper map appears to have been torn, but recently repaired (see image 15), and the binding is pulling slightly between the first and second endpaper (image 16). the riddles on pages 85 to 89 were once numbered, but had since been erased leaving minor impressions. the first erasure must have left a hold in the page when it was attempted. this hole doesn't not conflict with any of the text on either pages on the leaf. A closed margin tear is present at the top of pages 85/86. the book is overall in excellent condition and the completely intact dust jacket is nearly unheard of for a Tolkien book of this age. the exterior of the book is near perfect, with no fraying or edgewear. the book is clean and no visible foxing can be seen on the book itself. you will not find another copy of this impression this complete and in this condition! Will be carefully bubble wrapped and packaged in a box upon sale. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or requests for additional photos. A must have edition for any Tolkien collection! Thanks for looking!