Books

Box set of first edition, later impressions. 11th, 9th, 9th impressions 1961-1962, published by George Allen & Unwin. Box is a tanned and a bit grubby, with some marks, wear, and a historical split to the top back edge, which has been robustly restored. Books in approximately equal condition, unclipped dust jackets with heavy sunning to the spines, with a little wear to the spine ends, the fellowship having a few more marks and wear, The Two Towers jacket has a tear to the bottom edge of the front, below the n in Tolkien, correct impression jackets. Original red covers and spine gilt a little dulled, red top edges, spine ends lightly bruised, securely bound books, slight lean to The Return, faint spots to the edge of page blocks and first and last couple of pages, also partial tanning to the endpapers, pages otherwise tidy, and free from inscriptions, complete with fold out map at the end of each volume. The books have a slightly musty odour. Good minus condition.

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.