Tolkien, J.R.R.

8vo, first American edition, first impression, four coloured plates and other illustrations by the author, illustrated endpapers and upper cover of binding bound in at end, later full scarlet morocco by Asprey & Garrard with a design after 'The Hill: Hobbiton across The Water' on upper cover and 'The Misty Mountains looking West from the Eyrie towards Goblin Gate' on lower cover both in coloured morocco onlays, spine gilt in compartments, red silk moiré endpapers, gilt edges, abrasions and repairs to first map endpaper, slight scratches to edges

A sumptuous binding.

The first American edition was the first to include coloured illustrations by Tolkien. They would later appear in later English editions. There are two impressions within the first edition: one with a bowing hobbit on the title-page (as here) and one with the publisher's device. The first has priority.