J. R. R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, First Edition, 1961/62 Set imp 11, 9, 9

  
1961,62, 62 A lovely first edition set, slight fading/ darkening to jacket spine colors, minor tattering to spine ends especially FotR and slight grubbiness to jacket edges. FotR has a closed tear to bottom section and seam of jacket spine which has been re-enforced with removable acid free tape. Books have no flaws, gilt bright, read many times. These early impressions are increasingly hard to find without much more wear and tear, especially to the dust jackets which are often damaged or laminated making them worthless. You can tell the books and jackets have been kept together by the uniform wearing and aging patterns. As Tolkien book collecting grows in popularity, the availability of collectible/investment original condition books and jackets disappears.

It is not just the printing/edition that matters to the value, but that serious collectors want only the best condition. Books with damaged jackets or even no jackets at all, are now increasing in price, driving up the price of complete and better condition copies. That's how important condition is to value. Unlike other genre's, the market for Tolkien early editions is quite mature and well established.

It is not a matter of waiting for a better copy to come along. There aren't going to be any! There are no more hiding in the attic or charity shops.

People sell off their more worn copies when they upgrade and now leave their collections to their children. We've been a specialist dealer for 20 years. Some examples that were plentiful just two years ago are now completely gone or only the dregs appear.

First editions The Lord of the Rings and Hobbits remain the most in demand. This item is in the category "Books, Comics & Magazines\Antiquarian & Collectable". The seller is "dogfark" and is located in this country: GB. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Year Printed: 1961
• Modified Item: No
• Binding: Hardback
• Format: Hardback
• Author: J. Tolkien
• Title/Series: The Lord of the Rings
• Special Attributes: First Edition, 1st Edition, Dust Jacket