Books

A poor condition copy of a very rare 1st edition printing of "The Hobbit - or, There and Back Again" by J.R.R. Tolkien. Published by George Allen and Unwin, 4th impression, 1946. Octavo, pp 317. This was the fourth and final printing of the 1st edition, before significant text revisions - particularly regarding Bilbo's encounter with Gollum that results in his acquiring the Ring - were undertaken by the author for the 2nd edition, published in 1951. The revisions align the "Hobbit" narrative with that in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, which itself was shortly to go into print for the first time. Includes a colour frontispiece of Hobbiton. All eight black and white illustrations by the author are present as called for. "Thror's Map" and "Map of Wilderland" in color on the front and rear pastedowns respectively. The copy is complete but has significant faults. The boards are soiled, faded and worn with the spine detached from the webbing along the length of the rear edge and numerous abrasions and bumping along the outer edges. The webbing is exposed along both front and back board pastedown edges. Numerous pages of the text block show paper loss or tears along the edges, although none of the text itself is missing. Some comments have been added - two in light green ink (p. 141 and 297) and in pencil (p 155) as well as tick marks on one page and an underline in pencil on another. Two names are written in ink on one of the blank feps. The pages are dusted but clean with an occasional smudge or soiling, only minor foxing. The text block edges are dust darkened. A complete but flawed example of a 1st edition printing of this culturally significant book, amenable to restoration. Additional pictures available on request.

"The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien is a fantasy novel that follows the adventure of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who lives a quiet and comfortable life in the Shire. Bilbo is unexpectedly visited by the wizard Gandalf and a group of dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield. They seek Bilbo's help in reclaiming their homeland, Erebor, which has been taken over by the fearsome dragon Smaug. Reluctant at first, Bilbo eventually joins the quest as the group's burglar. Along the way, they face numerous challenges, including encounters with trolls, goblins, spiders, and elves. Bilbo discovers a magic ring that grants him the power of invisibility, which aids the group in their escape from various dangers. As the journey progresses, Bilbo develops his courage and resourcefulness, proving instrumental in several critical situations. The company faces adversity in the form of hostile creatures and internal conflicts, but they continue their journey toward the Lonely Mountain, where Smaug hoards vast treasures. Upon reaching the Lonely Mountain, Bilbo uses his wit and the ring's power to outsmart Smaug, causing the dragon to be slain by a local hero named Bard. However, conflict arises as other parties, including men, elves, and goblins, lay claim to the treasure. A battle ensues, known as the Battle of the Five Armies, involving dwarves, elves, men, goblins, and wargs. In the midst of the chaos, Bilbo plays a pivotal role in resolving the conflict and preventing further bloodshed. After the battle, Bilbo returns home to the Shire, forever changed by his adventures. He realizes that while he has gained riches and experiences, the most valuable treasure he possesses is the personal growth and bravery he discovered during his unexpected journey. "The Hobbit" is a tale of courage, friendship, and personal transformation, set in Tolkien's intricately crafted world of Middle-earth. It serves as a prelude to his epic masterpiece, "The Lord of the Rings," and remains a beloved classic in the realm of fantasy literature.