3rd Edition 1966. First printing of the third edition. Publisher's original green cloth with wraparound illustration and dark blue titles to the spine and upper board, in dustwrapper. Map endpapers, four colour plates and eight black and white illustrations after drawings by the author. The true first printing of the last edition to carry significant revisions by the author. The revisions were made to align the narrative more closely to The Lord of the Rings. The printers publishing information on the copyright page to the first printing of this third edition is misleading due to an error in the publication chronology. What should have read as: 'Fifteenth Impression 1965' followed by 'Third Edition (Sixteenth Impression) 1966' was set down as: 'Third Edition (Fifteenth Impression) 1966' followed by 'Sixteenth Impression 1966'. The Third Edition (Fifteenth Impression) 1966 does not exist and the error was never corrected. [Hammond A3i]. Book is very good++ and bright. Contents good. Two ink letters to endpaper. The wrapper is very good++ and quite bright. Edges and spine tips lightly rubbed.A little age toned and marked. More images can be taken upon request.