London: George Allen and Unwin, 1954, 1955, 1955. First editions. A brilliant, uniform set of Tolkien's epic masterpiece. The first book Fine in a Fine dust jacket. Book two Fine in a Fine dust jacket. Book three Fine in a very nearly Fine dust jacket with two short tears near the spine and a gentle bend on the front panel. Page 49 without sagging type and the dust jacket without reviews, (first state according to Hammond's revised opinion). A scarce set, particularly in collectible condition, with just 3000 copies of the first book, 3,250 of the second and 7,000 of the final book printed (and most of those in the third state, with sagging type). This is easily the finest set on the market. All original maps and prices intact, as issued. Housed in a custom clamshell case.

A timeless classic and a cornerstone of the fantasy genre, The Lord of The Rings follows the adventures of the hobbit Frodo Baggins and his compatriots as they battle the Dark Lord Sauron, and attempt to destroy the ring that gives him power over Middle Earth. Tolkien began writing the novel when he was 45 and it took him 12 years to finish it. (The Lord of the Rings would not be published until 1955.) The books, which were inspired by Tolkien’s interest in subjects as far reaching as mythology and philology, went on to become a sensation – selling over 150 million copies and being translated into over 30 languages. W.H. Auden called The Lord of the Rings a “masterpiece”, and it has appeared on Le Monde’s list of the 100 best books of the century. The books were also adapted into the Oscar award winning film trilogy, directed by Peter Jackson and starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, and Viggo Mortensen. "…among the greatest works of imaginative fiction of the twentieth century." (Contemporary Sunday Telegraph Review) Fine in Fine dust jacket. (Item #1386)