Yes, I’ve almost solely come across ex-library copies (mine is one as well). I’ve only ever seen one with the dustjacket, and that is garm’s copy.

Éarendel wrote:

Yes, I’ve almost solely come across ex-library copies (mine is one as well). I’ve only ever seen one with the dustjacket, and that is garm’s copy.

My copy is not ex-library, but sadly no dust-jacket.

Mr. Underhill wrote:

Lord of the Rings TRILOGY J.R.R. Tolkien 1st US Ed 1954 1956 13th 16th Printings

304759717488

Seller: bakdcake

(2056)

Ended Jan 9, 2023

This item ended more than 90 days ago

I don’t think that was a good deal. No DJ has to devalue these books immensely.

emilien wrote:

Thanks Éarendel !
Yes, it seems very fine. Sadly it's missing its dust jacket, but I guess it is really hard to find with a DJ.
It's sufficiently difficult to find it not being an ex-lib, and I 've seen only one *not ex-lib* copy in the last 3 years, with gilt titles completely faded on the spine, and at £500. Looking for it for years !
Also like the story behind it :
"Ownership signature on front flyleaf of Father Karl G. Schroeder (1910-99), long-time English professor known for Chaucer and Shakespeare courses at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa (1938-94); Schroeder received bachelor and master's degrees from Oxford -- the "Campion Hall / Oxford" below his signature notes his residency as a student there in the 1930s

Whoa, that is a very cool provenance

Ugly spines or else I would have bought it. Currently looking for a nice set.