J.R.R. TOLKEIN.
The Lord of the Rings.
London: Readers Union
/ George Allen & Unwin Ltd., 1960. 3 volumes, large octavo. Pp.423; 352;
416. Illustrations, 3 folding maps printed in red and black (one at the back of
each volume). Original brown cloth-textured paper-covered boards, spines
lettered in gilt, dust-jackets (light spotting to endpapers, the 3rd
book with small chip to front pastedown and corresponding tear to the front
free endpaper; for condition of the dust-jackets see images: the first book
with staining from old tape repairs, tears and chips; the second with small
tears and chips to the extremities; the third with small chips to extremities),
all contained within a single modern slipcase: deep green suede-lined to symbolize the gentle
fecundity of the Shire, edged with marbled paper, and a protective covering of
vellum with pseudo-Elvish text, with Tolkein’s monogram to each cover.
Provenance:
‘Ferguson 1960’ inscription to the front free endpaper of each volume)
First Book Club edition: the Readers
Union edition, one of approximately 3000 sets: ‘This … Edition was produced in 1960 for sale to
its members only by Readers Union’ (notice to verso of each title page). Hammond
notes that this edition was printed from the 9th impression of the first Unwin
edition, repackaged, with new art for the dust jacket. (Hammond, p. 98).
5