That book has been mistreated.

Is he selling the Hobbit or LOTR? I'm confused
Also that price...ridiculous

This site uses affiliate links for which we may be compensated

J.R.R .Tolkien, The Hobbit, 1st Deluxe Edition 1976, True Slipcase

234240866264

Seller: dogfark

(2380)

Ended Nov 21, 2021

This item ended more than 90 days ago

Something else for the 'acceptable' pile

This site uses affiliate links for which we may be compensated

J R R Tolkien Lord of The Rings Six Book Set In Case

194442740912

Seller: jo.jenn

(209)

Ended Oct 23, 2021

This item ended more than 90 days ago

Mr. Underhill wrote:

Is he selling the Hobbit or LOTR? I'm confused
Also that price...ridiculous

This site uses affiliate links for which we may be compensated

J.R.R .Tolkien, The Hobbit, 1st Deluxe Edition 1976, True Slipcase

234240866264

Seller: dogfark

(2380)

Ended Nov 21, 2021

This item ended more than 90 days ago

Its all that experience..

Beware the fake signatures. Here's a couple of forged ones of Alan Lee's.

This site uses affiliate links for which we may be compensated

BEREN AND LUTHIEN - J.R.R. TOLKIEN - 1ST EDITION 2017 SIGNED HARDBACK *RARE*

353737155531

Seller: vortex-dust74

(269)

Ended Oct 25, 2021

This item ended more than 90 days ago

This site uses affiliate links for which we may be compensated

THE FALL OF GONDOLIN - J.R.R. TOLKIEN - 1ST EDITION 2018 SIGNED HARDBACK *RARE*

353737155262

Seller: vortex-dust74

(269)

Ended Oct 25, 2021

This item ended more than 90 days ago

Mr. Underhill wrote:

Beware the fake signatures. Here's a couple of forged ones of Alan Lee's.

This site uses affiliate links for which we may be compensated

BEREN AND LUTHIEN - J.R.R. TOLKIEN - 1ST EDITION 2017 SIGNED HARDBACK *RARE*

353737155531

Seller: vortex-dust74

(269)

Ended Oct 25, 2021

This item ended more than 90 days ago

This site uses affiliate links for which we may be compensated

THE FALL OF GONDOLIN - J.R.R. TOLKIEN - 1ST EDITION 2018 SIGNED HARDBACK *RARE*

353737155262

Seller: vortex-dust74

(269)

Ended Oct 25, 2021

This item ended more than 90 days ago

Those are comically bad. Not a good sign when the only picture in a listing of the signature is far away.

Mr. Underhill wrote:

Is he selling the Hobbit or LOTR? I'm confused
Also that price...ridiculous

This site uses affiliate links for which we may be compensated

J.R.R .Tolkien, The Hobbit, 1st Deluxe Edition 1976, True Slipcase

234240866264

Seller: dogfark

(2380)

Ended Nov 21, 2021

This item ended more than 90 days ago

" Note, this slipcase has paper material covering, not the plastic/ vinyl covered one used on the 1979 2nd printing and later slipcase. We believe only the first efition 1976 slipcase was papercoverd"

I only have the 1st impression, but surely they are all paper-covered? None of them were ever covered in plastic/vinyl. I guess there might have been some minor surface texture changes along the way. Also, it isn't a slipcase.

Here are close ups of my '79 2nd print. Definitely paper covered, texture looks the same as well.
First two are of the box, third is of the book.

My first impression's box has a different texture. An I thought it was distinctive from 1st imp. boxes compared to reprints.
The texture is marbled and the overall aspect is matte reather than shiny.
And I have the box of the deluxe Poems and stories to compare which is more a pointillist one, as yours.

I will have a look at my first impression box later, but IIRC it is like dogfark's second picture, not the smoother texture.

Edit: Checked my copy and is not like emilien's copy. The texture of the box paper on mine is essentially the same as my Poems and Stories from 1980, and the same as I recall on other pictures that I have seen. Looks like emilien and Dogfark have the same box paper. Seems like it is impossible to say which came first, as perhaps they ran low on boxes and ordered some more in (which were different). Arguments can be made for either being first, and without evidence, it is all purely guesswork.