Congrats Stu. Great acquisition. Also looking for this one
Good luck!! I'll always be keeping my eye out for a copy with a better jacket, but I decided this time it was worth getting a lesser copy unless I never find one. I figure this will be easy enough to sell if I ever upgrade!
It says, "First published in one volume 1968" 30s net on spine. Has SBN 04 823087 1
Ahh, you are referring to the signed 1968 one volume paperbacks. Gotcha. I believe A&U gave those out to booksellers who ordered more than a specific number of copies (1 signed one for every 100 ordered, or something like that).
A well-worn 1957 German 1st edition (with illustrations by Horus Engels). The book itself is pretty tidy, but the jacket has seen some action in its 69 years (but at least it is present). I almost bought one years ago and then opted not to as I had just spent some money on another book. Always regretted that, as I think the jacket design is the best after Tolkien's own.
Got me a replacement Finn and Hengest. These A&Us are definitely still fairly infrequent to market. I've never seen any reliable information about how many of the UK edition was printed.
HMCO printed 4,000 copies...I remember reading somewhere (or hearing at a talk) that GA&U printed 2,500. Not 100% on that, I'll try and remember where I found or heard that information.