J.R.R. Tolkien. THE HOBBIT, OR, THERE AND BACK AGAIN. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1984. 10¼″ x 8⅛″, 290 pages. Illustrated by Michael Hague and signed by him on a signature card affixed to the half-title page. First thus with full number line. Gilt lettering to spine and to the cover “JRRT” monogram. Hardcover in Like New condition in Like New unclipped dj with no apparent shelf wear, conserved in a clear, archival quality protective cover. The book is spotless and appears unread. The hobbit Bilbo Baggins has taken his place among the immortals of literature. Written by Professor Tolkien for his own children, The Hobbit met with instant critical acclaim when it was first published. London's Sunday Times would, much later, summarize its success thus: “The English-speaking world is divided into those who have read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and those who are going to read them.” Michael Hague's prodigiously talented illustrations of classic works have earned him a devoted following and well-earned acclaim. Through his richly textured paintings Hague has brought Tolkien's characters to life and made this edition of The Hobbit a book to be treasured. BONUS To celebrate the release of the motion picture production of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, New Zealand Post issued commemorative postage stamps in 2012. Laid in with this volume as a special bookmark is a First Day Cover envelope with one of those stamps affixed, postmarked at Whanganui, New Zealand on November 1, 2012, the first day of issue.