POEMS AND STORIES by J. R. R. Tolkien. FIRST Boxed Deluxe Edition. Illustrated by Pauline Baynes. Published by George Allen & Unwin in 1980. This collection of poems and stories features some of Tolkien's most popular children's stories including: "Farmer Giles of Ham", "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil", "Smith of Wootton Major", “The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth, Beorhthhelm’s Son”, “Leaf by Niggle”, as well as Tolkien’s essay "On Fairy-Stories" which discusses the nature of fantasy. The book is in very good / near fine condition. The cover boards are clean and bright with sharp corner tips; binding is tight, sturdy, and square. The interior pages are clean, as is the interior page block. Issued without a dust jacket. Bound in black buckram cloth with elaborate gilt stamped design to the front boards. Bright Gilt stamped author, title and publisher to the spine, blocked in single gilt ruled compartments. Housed in the original publishers box with label on the cover. The box shows mild and minor wear to the upper left-hand and lower right-hand corners of the lid. Book is without tears or creases. Book has NO remainder marks. -----------------------Synopsis----------------------- The charming, deceptively light poems of The Adventures of Tom Bambadil contain intriguing sidelights on Middle-Earth lore, while the dramatic poem The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth, complete with scholarly introduction, describes the aftermath of the Battle of Maldon, which occurred in the year 991. The essay On Fairy-Stories has won critical acclaim, as has Farmer Giles of Ham and Smith of Wootton Major, as well as the story that most closely reflects Tolkien's personal philosophy Leaf by Niggle. Some of these may be familiar, or available individually; still, this collection is a splendid accompaniment for existing fans, or an excellent introduction for newcomers.