Books

London: Betty Ballantine, 1965. First Edition. . No Binding. Fine/No Jacket. Barbara Remington. Betty Ballantine and now Barbara Remington have passed away making this a true historic piece. It was the cult status Tolkien first achieved in America on sale of millions of paperbacks, not in Britain, that would make him a household name by the late 60's. The Hobbit for example was not produced in paper inUK until 1961, Until 1966 his books only sold a few thousand copies a year, hardly a best seller. In fact the Tolkien society fan club first started in America, some five years before. Note, we were recently asked: we own the piece and as the seller, we left the letter addressed anonymously for the next buyer rather than to us. We are pleased to offer for sale, perhaps the most important original Tolkien related art piece. It is truly deserving as a museum piece representing a key turning point in the history of Professor Tolkien popularity. While Tolkien’'s own art was used only…

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.