Blackwell's Hobbits
6 Dec, 2022
(edited)
2022-12-6 4:40:59 PM UTC
2022-12-6 4:40:59 PM UTC
Blackwell's Rare Books have two Hobbits in their latest catalogue
Blackwells Catalogue (pdf)
136. Tolkien (J.R.R.) The Hobbit or, There and Back Again.
George Allen & Unwin, 1937, FIRST EDITION, frontispiece, 8 full-page illustrations, a further text illustration, all by the author
pp. 310, [2, ads], crown 8vo
£60,000
An unrestored copy in single ownership since publication; scarce in the dustjacket.
THE TOVE JANSSON HOBBIT
137. Tolkien (J.R.R.) Bilbo. En Hobbits Äventyr [The Hobbit.] I Översättning av Britt G. Hallqvist och med Illustrationer av Tove Jansson.
Stockholm: Rabén & Sjögren, 1962, FIRST JANSSON EDITION, 10 full-page drawings with numerous smaller drawings throughout text
pp. 308, 8vo
£2,000
An attractive edition - a book whose scarcity can be attributed to both author and illustrator being immensely collectable separately.
Given the importance of the Nordic influence on Tolkien’s work, there is something reciprocal about the foremost illustrator of the region turning her hand to one of his most enduring works - and the results are delightful.
Blackwells Catalogue (pdf)
136. Tolkien (J.R.R.) The Hobbit or, There and Back Again.
George Allen & Unwin, 1937, FIRST EDITION, frontispiece, 8 full-page illustrations, a further text illustration, all by the author
pp. 310, [2, ads], crown 8vo
original pale green cloth, the lettering to backstrip and upper board stamped in dark blue, likewise Tolkien’s overall designs to cloth, lean to spine and a few tiny specks to cloth, the edges slightly toned with a few faint spots, endpaper maps printed in black and red, ownership inscription to flyleaf, dustjacket with design by Tolkien, the misspelling ‘Dodgeson’ in the blurb on the rear flap corrected in ink as usual, some handling and toning visible in white areas with a couple of very faint marks, chipped at extremities with some loss at head of backstrip panel, a few nicks and very short closed tears, good (Hammond & Anderson A3a)
£60,000
An unrestored copy in single ownership since publication; scarce in the dustjacket.
THE TOVE JANSSON HOBBIT
137. Tolkien (J.R.R.) Bilbo. En Hobbits Äventyr [The Hobbit.] I Översättning av Britt G. Hallqvist och med Illustrationer av Tove Jansson.
Stockholm: Rabén & Sjögren, 1962, FIRST JANSSON EDITION, 10 full-page drawings with numerous smaller drawings throughout text
pp. 308, 8vo
original quarter green cloth with colourprinted Jansson illustration to upper board, backstrip lettered in gilt with very slight lean to spine, some trivial wear at board-corners and gentle fading to border of lower board, a
couple of little spots to top edge, bookplate and ownership inscription of Bengdt Sandin to front pastedown, very good (Hammond & Anderson Swedish C4)
£2,000
An attractive edition - a book whose scarcity can be attributed to both author and illustrator being immensely collectable separately.
Given the importance of the Nordic influence on Tolkien’s work, there is something reciprocal about the foremost illustrator of the region turning her hand to one of his most enduring works - and the results are delightful.
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