Tolkien, J.R.R.

The Hobbit. George Allen & Unwin Ltd., 1937 [1938], second impression, 13 illustrations including 4 colour plates published for the first time, pictorial end-papers in red and black by the author, original pictorial green cloth, pictorial dust-jacket by the author, [Hammond see p. 15], some spotting, binding slightly soiled, price-clipped dust-jacket soiled and with some spotting, loss to head and foot of dust-jacket spine, ownership signatures; The Lord of the Rings. Readers Union, 1960, three volumes, illustrations, maps including folding maps at end of each volume, original brown cloth, pictorial dust-jackets, [Hammond see p. 98], minor browning, some minor soiling to dust-jackets; all 8vo (4)

Hammond notes that the 'second impression' of The Hobbit consisted of 2300 copies. 423 copies in sheets were destroyed during the Blitz on 7 November 1940. Four colour plates appear here for the first time and pre-date publication in the first American edition.