Books

George Allen and Unwin Ltd. London 1961,1963, 1967. This is an attractive mix of early printings of 'The Lord of the Rings' in an unusual near fine condition. Vol. 1 'The Fellowship of the Ring' - First edition, thirteenth impression 1963 Vol. 2 'The Two Towers' - First edition, eighth impression 1961 with a 12th. impression dust jacket (as issued) Vol. 3 'The Return of the King' - Second edition (revised and corrected by J. R. R. Tolkien), second impression 1967 All hardbacks are in near fine condition, complete and with the folding maps in the rear.Vol. 1 has 4 tiny ink spots to the frontboard and some almost unvisible stains in the beadings of the spine. Tight binding and internally clean and bright. The dust jackets are in near fine condition, unclipped and with minor fading/yellowing and few miniscule marks. Dust jackets are now protected by transparent archival sleeves. At first glance, an odd mixture of the three 'Lord of the Ring' books. However, as the books were very often sold separately at the time, it doesn't seem that unusual and offers the collector the opportunity to acquire early printings of these famous books in an uncommon nice condition at a relatively favourable price.

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.