Khamûl wrote:

I'd be very surprised if firsts aren't just another edition in plain sight. Just ask sellers for a photo of copyright pages.

This.

Hi Guy's, yes, the copy advised by Mr Underhill on ebay is a 1st/1st. Did buy a really nice copy from a dealer locally. The ebay copy is a good price at the moment. All the best ?

I'm surprised the black higher impressions are harder to find.

I have always liked this edition and think it one of the nicest single volume editions published. Although I was always a bit disappointed by the black and white maps in the back. This is my copy, a first edition I think, which I bought new in 1991.

Curiously, the foreword to this edition is not the standard one from the revised second edition but the one from the De Luxe Allen and Unwin, where the final paragraph describes the throne of Elendil. Not sure if this was carried through to later editions.

Yes, that's a 1st, nice copy. Like you I think harpercollins did a great job with this one.