Books and other printed materials >> Trying to narrow down the printings of my 1st US Edition LotR HCs.
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Trying to narrow down the printings of my 1st US Edition LotR HCs.
15 January
(edited)
2024-1-15 11:01:28 PM UTC
2024-1-15 11:01:28 PM UTC
A few years back I started hunting down 1st U.S. Editions of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. U.S. Editions, since they are what I would have bought had I been alive to buy them new and because they are often cheaper and because I like the cover art on the DJs better. I know none of them are 1st printings, as none have the Print year included. That also means they aren't much later printings as well. Here is what I've narrowed down and I'm hoping y'all can help me further. I can add photos as well, but I think the below descriptions cover most of what is looked at.
The Fellowship of the Ring - 5th or 7th printing I think? No price on DJ, Red font on cover, with dark brown artwork. "F" of Frodo on back flap is fine, but the 2nd "o" is nicked. On the BC the photo of Tolkien has a flat bottom. Inside there is no print date, just "Printed in Great Britain". Only Houghton Mifflin is listed as Publisher. The half title page has no Allen & Unwin device and page 224 is blank.
The Two Towers - This is the one I can find the least on. $5 on DJ. The "r" on the front cover doesn't have the dip found in 1st prints. No Allen & Unwin device on half title. There is no print date, just "Printed in Great Britain". Only Houghton Mifflin is listed as Publisher. Not sure if artwork is dark blue or black?
The Return of the King - 4th or 5th printing, I think? $5 on DJ, but not the oversized "5" from the 1st printing. Has Allen & Unwin device on half title page. No year of printing (only 4th and 5th?) nor any other Publisher listed.
I almost bought a 5th impression of The Hobbit (1st of the 2nd edition) around that time too, for only $475. Now they're WAY above that! It didn't have the Dustjacket, but I liked that it was the only HM version with the green dragon wrap around boards, so I didn't mind not covering that with the dustjacket.
Anyway, any help greatly appreciated! Also, the website for "The Tolkien Collector" hasn't been updated in several years and their last listed issue was from 2013, so has anyone successfully gotten back issues from them recently? I want 20-22 for obvious reasons. Thanks!
The Fellowship of the Ring - 5th or 7th printing I think? No price on DJ, Red font on cover, with dark brown artwork. "F" of Frodo on back flap is fine, but the 2nd "o" is nicked. On the BC the photo of Tolkien has a flat bottom. Inside there is no print date, just "Printed in Great Britain". Only Houghton Mifflin is listed as Publisher. The half title page has no Allen & Unwin device and page 224 is blank.
The Two Towers - This is the one I can find the least on. $5 on DJ. The "r" on the front cover doesn't have the dip found in 1st prints. No Allen & Unwin device on half title. There is no print date, just "Printed in Great Britain". Only Houghton Mifflin is listed as Publisher. Not sure if artwork is dark blue or black?
The Return of the King - 4th or 5th printing, I think? $5 on DJ, but not the oversized "5" from the 1st printing. Has Allen & Unwin device on half title page. No year of printing (only 4th and 5th?) nor any other Publisher listed.
I almost bought a 5th impression of The Hobbit (1st of the 2nd edition) around that time too, for only $475. Now they're WAY above that! It didn't have the Dustjacket, but I liked that it was the only HM version with the green dragon wrap around boards, so I didn't mind not covering that with the dustjacket.
Anyway, any help greatly appreciated! Also, the website for "The Tolkien Collector" hasn't been updated in several years and their last listed issue was from 2013, so has anyone successfully gotten back issues from them recently? I want 20-22 for obvious reasons. Thanks!
And since I'm taking pictures now: All three in covers and out of covers, followed by my Tolkien display. I have more, but they are boxed away until I have a full library in the next house. Sim is true first, but The Hobbit is a 30th printing, so really just a space filler.
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