TOLKIEN, J.R.R (1892-1973). The Hobbit. London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd., 1937.

First edition of The Hobbit, in an unrestored first issue dust-jacket.

"The Hobbit began as an amusement for the Tolkien children, and reached print rather unexpectedly, a typescript of it having been shown to Stanley Unwin by a former pupil of Tolkien's. Once published, however, it was an equally unexpected success" (ODNB). "The world's best-selling single work of fiction" (J.R.R. Tolkien, Life and Legend, p.45), until Harry Potter, it introduces "an entirely new mythological race of 'hobbits' who, like their representative Bilbo Baggins, are solid, respectable, anachronistically English, and, as appears when Bilbo is sent off by the wizard Gandalf to help recover the lost treasure of the dwarves from the dragon Smaug, capable of unsuspected resource" (ibid.). The Hobbit remains a major landmark of fantasy literature. The present copy is in the first issue dust-jacket, with "Dodgson" corrected in ink on the rear flap. Currey 476; Hammond A3a.

Octavo. Frontispiece and nine further illustrations in the text. Original green cloth lettered and decorated in dark blue, cartographic endpapers, top edge green. Publisher's illustrated dust-jacket, printed in blue, black, and green (spine panel a little darkened with small losses to ends and at top edge of rear panel, several short closed tears and creases.) Custom half morocco clamshell box.

Printed bookplate designed by Winifred Bromhall to half-title (space for owner's name has been left blank)