It is definitely fading. you will sometimes see sets that are mosrly dark, but with a little fading to olive at the edges. Seems to be both light and heat with this box. The original colour is very similar to The Inklings and we know how fragile that is.

Edit. You can see it very clearly on my set.

I just won these :

Do you know where I can obtain facsimile dustjackets that match these impressions, please ?
(and please, if I paid too much, don't tell me )

Closest you'll probably get are these.

https://www.dustjackets.com/pages/book ... ellowship-of-the-ring-the

Well, some folk may have seen an eBay listing a few weeks ago for an unusual UK 1954 Fellowship of the Ring in paper wrappers. The seller indicated that this was probably a proof copy (1 of 12 sent to America prior to publication), but after I received additional photos and did quick check, I thought the book might actually be 1 of the 20 copies bound in paper wrappers for review and samples as per Wayne Hammond’s 1992 Bibliography and online Tolkienlibrary. (Do note that the text of this copy does appear to be identical to the published 1st Impression text and the foldout map is still attached.)

Anyway, tossing caution to the wind, I bought it and just received it today from Australia.

So, if anyone has any thoughts or insights on this copy, it would be much appreciated.

I think you are right

I'm so glad you decided to go for that purchase, LanceFormation! I saw the listing and had a lot of concerns, but it definitely seems they were unfounded. That does look like one of the 1st impression prints that was bound in wrappers, from everything you have shown. Congratulations on a great acquisition!

What an amazing book you have ! ... Congratulations Lance !

So glad it's gone into good hands. I was eyeing it too, but hesitated too long, by the lack of info within the listing.

wheresrob wrote:

So glad it's gone into good hands. I was eyeing it too, but hesitated too long, by the lack of info within the listing.

I guess a high asking price can sometimes give folk a chance to investigate as many buyers won’t spontaneously purchase a high cost item. I was fortunate in that I saw the listing soon after it was up and that the seller responded fairly quickly with additional photos. But even then I felt it was 50/50 that what I bought was bust.

LanceFormation wrote:

Anyway, tossing caution to the wind, I bought it and just received it today from Australia.

Really glad the homework we did on this one paid off!