Books

First Readers Union Edition published in 1960. RU published approx 3000 of these sets. Volume one has a slight bump to head and tail of spine, Two marks to ffe where sellotape from previous D/J wrap has marked the paper. The D/J has slight rubbing to corners and slight loss to base of spine. There are two small closed tears to top edge of rear D/J. Vol 2 has slight rubbing to head of spine, bottom corners of boards bumped. D/J has heavier rubbing to corners with slight loss and head and tail of spine. Crease to top corner of rear D/J. There are closed tears to head and tail of spine and top corners. Vol 3 has bump to base of spine. D/J has rubbing to corners with some loss to base of spine. There is a closed tear to top edge of front and bottom edge of rear. Creasing to bottom corner of rear D/J. Overall this is a very nice set.

Book One: The Fellowship of the Ring The story begins in the Shire, a peaceful region where Frodo Baggins inherits a mysterious ring from his uncle, Bilbo. Gandalf the wizard discovers the ring is the One Ring, forged by the dark lord Sauron to dominate Middle-earth. Frodo is tasked with taking the ring to Rivendell, where a council forms the Fellowship: Frodo, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Boromir, Sam, Merry, and Pippin. Together, they set out to destroy the ring in Mount Doom, the only place it can be unmade. Their journey is fraught with peril, and the Fellowship eventually splinters when Boromir succumbs to the ring's temptation, and Frodo decides to continue the quest with Sam. Book Two: The Two Towers The narrative follows two main threads. Frodo and Sam traverse the dangerous lands toward Mordor, guided by Gollum, a former ring-bearer corrupted by the ring's power. Meanwhile, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli pursue the orcs who have kidnapped Merry and Pippin. The hobbits escape and find themselves in the ancient forest of Fangorn, where they encounter Treebeard the Ent. Gandalf, reborn as Gandalf the White, reunites with the group. The novel climaxes with battles at Helm's Deep and Isengard, and Frodo's capture by orcs after being betrayed by Gollum. Book Three: The Return of the King Aragorn claims his destiny as the true king of Gondor, leading forces against Sauron's armies. Frodo and Sam, enduring immense hardship, infiltrate Mordor and destroy the ring, aided unwittingly by Gollum. Sauron’s power collapses, peace returns, and Aragorn is crowned. Frodo, burdened by his trauma, sails to the Undying Lands with Bilbo, Gandalf, and the elves, leaving Sam to carry on in the Shire.