Books

A Very Good copy of an extremely scarce early Hobbit. The 1958 printing, of the 2nd Edition (1951), or the 10th printing overall (1937). This copy is a stated 10th impression from the dustjacket, published by Houghton Mifflin from sheets imported from Great Britain. From the identification key by Steven Frisby, this stated 10th impression, is indeed the 10th impression. The Very Good only dustjacket is not priced or clipped, noted as printed in Great Britain. One of probably only 1000 imported from Allen & Unwin, lacking the printing history on title verso, to help them circumvent the import restrictions and US copyright laws. The book features the original dustjacket with the Mountains and Dragon design by the author. The dustjackets has numerous tears, a large mostly closed tear to the top of the back panel being the worst. There is a bit of loss to the top of the spine and the lower 1/4 inch is missing, some loss at the tips of the flap folds. White the flap folds are showing the crease with some color loss. The boards show minor soiling and marking, with a little shelfwear noted. The text block is clean, with some scattered foxing, previous owners name, to front free endpaper (map) and first blank page. No bumped corners, lightly soiled boards. The dustjacket is not price clipped and has no price markings. A collectable clean copy, one of the only issues with the pale green boards stamped in blue. Contains the full color frontispiece "The Hill: Hobbiton-across-the Water", as well as the original line drawings by Tolkien. The maps are in excellent condition, with the red and black ink still showing clear and bright against the endpapers. Both maps have some foxing, along with the previous owners name and date. A highly collectable copy, hard to find in it's original dustjacket.

"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.