UK 1st and 2nd Impression GA&U Hobbit bindings

I did a quick online search for high-res images of 1st and 2nd impression hobbit front boards, and it was inconclusive. If I had to hazard a guess, I would say that the stamping die was the same for the two impressions, but was not always pressed into the boards with the same pressure?

For an example of what looks (to my eye) as a "bold" Hobbit text on a 1st impression look at the high res picture from http://www.tolkienlibrary.com/tolkien-book-store/CLP0209.htm

Just a guess though!

Thanks,

Going to have to change my question to, was the binding changed on the first impression, and it looks like it was?

The image looks more like the 2nd Impression than my 1st/1st binding.

Not a bad theory.

The casing design and discussion is covered in Hammond's Bibliography pp. 13-14. No mention is made of having to change it mid-print run, but it is interesting to read as it went through multiple revisions and options. A nice reproduction of the 2nd impression case is on p. 5 (no plate for the 1st impression case in the book, however.)

I'll go & have a look at some of the 1st & 2nd imp. I have & get back to you Trotter...