David sends along the following four new items to share:

The Hobbit, or There and Back Again, 2nd Impression UK 1st Edition, with Clamshell Case The Hobbit or There and Back Again. Published by Allen & Unwin, a UK 1st Edition, 2nd impression was published in 1937, the same year as the original 1st impression. The exterior of this copy is lightly soiled, whereas the interior is very clean and bright, with no foxing or faults whatsoever. Decorative map endpapers are in excellent condition, clean and bright with small previous owners name on top ffep margin. Has the 4 color and 9 mono plates all in Near Fine condition, no tears, no foxing, no faults. The second impression is important for the addition of the 4 color illustrations by the author. This is the 1st and only early UK Editions that was published with four of Tolkien's color illustrations. One of only 1877 copies of the original 2300 that survived the bombing of London in November 1940. This copy shows light soiling to the covers, with a small repair to a 1/4" area of fraying and/or loss at the bottom of the spine. The repair was made with remnants from another 2nd imp UK Hobbit that was rebound. The exterior also has a minor bump to the front lower corner. Some light shelfwear, but in very good plus condition overall. The text block is clean and bright, binding still tight. Has absolutely no foxing, soiling, or markings in the text block. Features Tolkien's orignal 'Mountains and Dragon' design stamped in blue on the boards and spine. A beautiful copy, furnished with a facsimile of the original 2nd impression UK Dustjacket. This copy is housed in a beautiful Quarter Leather and Marbled Paper Clamshell Case with a gilt stamped Leather Spine that features the 'Mountains', Title, Author, JRRT Monogram, Publisher and date published. A beautiful presentation to house and protect this highly collectable copy, of this timeless classic. $4750

Swords & Sorcery, Intro By L. Sprague De Camp, Signed By J.R.R. Tolkien, and a Seperate Handwritten Critique By J.R.R. Tolkien A pair of items is offered, which include a lengthy handwritten critique by J.R.R. Tolkien, and the related paperback novel, Swords & Sorcery, with the introduction by L. Sprague de Camp. The copy of Swords & Sorcery has a notation, penned by Tolkien on the inside front cover: 'J.R.R. Tolkien from L. Sprague de Camp July 1964' The more significant item, is a sheet of stationary from the Hotel Miramar, East Overcliff, Bournemouth. On the verso, Tolkien has written in pencil, and overwritten the latter part in ink, a lengthy criticism of a story by Lord Dunsany, originally published in 1912 and entitled: "Distressing Tale of Thangobrind the Jeweler", which is included in the book. A not very complementary critique, but a wonderful example of his cryptic handwriting. A fantastic pair of items, written or signed by the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. These are both housed in a custom Dark Blue Leather Clamshell Case. The case has a recessed tray for the book, and a matching dark blue cloth folder fits on top of the tray to house the handwritten critique, protected in mylar. Marbled paper endpapers to complement the full leather binding and blue cloth interior and folder. A wonderful case to protect and show the two items. $7600

The Lord of the Rings, 1st UK Edition, 1st Impressions with Original Dustjackets, and a Full Leather Custom Clamshell Case. George Allen & Unwin, published in 1954, 1954, and 1955, the 1st UK Edition, 1st impressions. The Fellowship of the Ring is a 1st impression published July 29th, 1954. One of 1500 printed for the UK. The Two Towers is a 1st impression published November 11th, 1954. One of 2250 printed for the UK. The Return of the King is a 1st impression published October 20th, 1955. This copy is the 1st State, as per Hammon & Anderson, with the signature mark '4' and having the slipped type on page 49. Correspondence with Wayne Hammond has indicated he has revised his original definition of the 1st state, from what was described in the Tolkien Bibliography, making this the later state. All original maps are present and in Near Fine condition, no tears or extra folds. All three books are in their original dustjackets, and all three have the same previous owners name and address to the front endpaper, mostly hidden by the dustjacket flap. No other markings or writing. The front endpapers show a moderate amount of offsetting and foxing on all three books. The only other foxing noted in any of the books, is to the outside edges of the textblock, a few spots to the last page in a couple of the books. but none to the interior of any of the books. The dustjackets are not price clipped, and they have minor rubbing and splits or loss to a few area's, mostly around the folds. The text blocks are all clean, bright and tight, without any internal foxing or markings. A beautiful, collectable set of first editions of this classic of fantasy literature. The Fellowship of the Ring is a 1st UK Edition, 1st impression with the book in Very Good Plus condition. Previous owner's name and address (same in all three books) to the front endpaper. The gilt is slightly dulled but untarnished on the spine. The boards are very clean and bright, with virtually no shelf wear on the bottom edge, A couple of lightly bumped corners and a little spine lean the only faults. The dustjacket is unclipped and shows beautifully, with very little tanning, some light fading to the red lettering of the spine and only moderate soiling. A beautiful, correct 1st impression dustjacket. The Two Tower's - 1st UK Edition, 1st impression, has the date (1954) on the title page, and no other printings listed, which would indicate a true 1st imp. Book is in Very Good Plus condition. Same previous owner's name, no other writing. and with some moderate offsetting on the endpapers. The boards are very clean and bright, without any bumps to the corners, very little shelf wear on the bottom edges, and no noticeable wear to the spine tips. Gilt is still clean and bright. The dustjacket is not clipped, and has very light tanning and some fading of the red lettering on the spine, and again is lightly soiled. No chips or wear to the edges, and only the smallest loss to the fold area's. The original map is present, without any tears or extra folds, also has the 1st state point with the red dot off coast of Umbar. A lovely copy, in its correct and original 1st impression dustjacket. The Return of the King - 1st UK Edition, 1st impression, the later state with the slipped type and signature mark '4' on page 49, as per Wayne Hammond's revised opinion. Same previous owners name and 1955 date, a very moderate bit of foxing/offsetting on the endpapers. The boards are very clean and bright, no bumped corners, and no shelf wear is evident. Gilt is again clean and bright. The dustjacket is not clipped, and is lightly tanned, and shows very little fading to the red lettering on the spine, and again is only moderately soiled. The map is present and in Near Fine condition, no extra folds or tears noted. A lovely example of the 1st impression book and original dustjacket. A fantastic set of First Editions of this classic of fantasy literature, with a custom full leather clamshell case, to protect and house these 'precious' books. The full Red Leather Clamshell features the Gates of Moria design to the triple spined case, with Tengwar title and Author to the front panel, with the large Ring and Eye design from the original dustjackets. The rear features the Ring Poem in Tengwar script $11,970

A Two Page Hand Written Letter from J.R.R. Tolkien, with hand addressed envelope, contains reference to Lord of the Rings Autographed, 2 page (front & back) hand written letter and envelope to Ingrid Pridgeon, on his 'Professor J.R.R. Tolkien' letterhead, with Sandfield Road, Headington, Oxford address crossed out and 'c/o Messers Geo. Allen and Unwin, 40 Museum St. Condon WC 1, typed in. "Dear Ingrid, Thank you very much for your letter. I am sorry that I cannot answer it more fully.; I am having rather a bad time. I have left Oxford, and in the middle of a move I fell downstairs and damaged my right leg so badly that it is in plaster from toe to hip, and I am on crutches. That makes everythig very difficult. Crutches also make one's hands v. tired, and writing is laborious (and wobbly). pg 2. I notice Spire Hollin : very shire-like. hollin is (northern, for of holly: used in Book I of L.R.: I lived for a while in Leeds in a Hollin Lane. I am v. glad to know that you liked and enjoyed my books. I hope soon, when the mess of moving (my books and papers are still piled in boxs) is past, and I am recovered to get on with more books. Yours Sincerely J.R.R. Tolkien. The address (to my publishers) will always find me. I have a secretary there." Envelope hand addressed and canceled from Bournemouth-Poole in 1968 and addressed to: Miss Ingrid Pridgeon, 15 Spire Hollin, Glossop Derbyshire Housed in a Custom Terra Cotta Leather Binder lined with beautiful handmarbled papers by Joan Ajala of Australia. Features two mylar folders to hold the letter and envelope for easy viewing. $9500