The Lord of the Rings, George Allen & Unwin, published in 1954, 1954, and 1955, the 1st UK Edition, 1st impressions.

First edition, first impressions of The Fellowship of the Ring (1954), The Two Towers (1954), and The Return of the King (1955)

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 2nd State.

The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien.
This set is lacking the original dust jackets.

The Fellowship of the Ring is a 1st impression published July 29th, 1954. One of 1500 printed for the UK market. The book is in very good condition, with bright red cloth boards that show minimal wear. The spine is unfaded with clear gilt lettering, though there is slight wear and rubbing to the extremities. Internally, there is no writing, and the text block is clean and tight. The free endpapers are clean, and the text block shows no significant foxing or marks. A very collectible copy of the first impression, 1st state without the blurbs on the rear flap, with minimal soiling and no price clipping. Original maps are present and in excellent condition.

The Two Towers is a 1st UK edition, 1st impression published on November 11th, 1954. One of 2250 printed for the UK. The red cloth boards show some wear with noticeable fading and soiling to both front and back covers. The gilt on the spine is still bright, though the spine shows minor rubbing to the tips. Internally, there is some light foxing present on the free endpapers and pastedowns, but the pages are otherwise clean and the binding remains tight. A previous owner's name and date are present on the front free endpaper. The maps are original and in excellent condition, making this a solid and highly collectible copy.

The Return of the King is a 1st UK edition, 1st impression, later state, published on October 20th, 1955, with the signature mark '4' and the slipped type on page 49, as per Hammond and Anderson. This copy is in good condition. The boards are bright but show moderate fading and soiling, especially to the bottom edge of the rear cover. The gilt on the spine remains bright, though there is slight rubbing to the tips. Internally, the endpapers exhibit significant foxing, but the text block is largely clean and remains tightly bound. The original fold-out map is intact and in very good condition.

Overall, this set represents a solid collection of first UK editions of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Despite minor wear and some foxing, the books are in collectible condition, with original maps and 1st impression dust jackets. The books have been well preserved and remain highly collectible examples of Tolkien's monumental work, housed in custom clamshell cases that reflect their significance in the fantasy literature canon.

This is a first edition set of The Lord of the Rings, comprising first impressions of The Fellowship of the Ring (1954), The Two Towers (1954), and The Return of the King (1955). While the set lacks its original dust jackets, the books themselves are preserved well, particularly considering their age. Each volume retains its original map, a key feature for collectors. The boards, though worn and faded, are structurally sound, with the gilt on the spines still visible. Internally, the pages are clean with only light foxing on the endpapers, and the bindings remain tight throughout.

While some wear is evident, particularly on The Return of the King, this set remains a rare and highly collectible example of Tolkien’s masterpiece. Each book is a first impression of the first UK edition, offering a great opportunity for collectors looking for an original set of The Lord of the Rings.

This set is a significant addition to any Tolkien collection.

Terms of sale: Prices are only indications, always inquire if books are still available. We accept Money Orders, cash, or Credit Cards (paypal) for immediate shipping.  Checks will delay shipment for 10 days for checks to clear. Please inquire for shipping quotes.
Interested: Please send email to info@tolkienlibrary.com.