a fine set of first editions bound by Sangorski & Sutcliffe

At first, Tolkien intended The Lord of the Rings to be a children's tale in the style of The Hobbit but it quickly grew darker and more serious in the writing. Though a direct sequel to The Hobbit, it addressed an older audience, drawing on the immense back-story of Beleriand that Tolkien had constructed in previous years and which eventually saw posthumous publication in The Silmarillion and other volumes. Tolkien's influence weighs heavily on the fantasy genre that grew following the success of The Lord of the Rings.

First editions, first impressions; 3 vols, 8vo (225 x 155 mm); The Fellowship of the Ring: signature mark '4' at bottom of p49, two maps, one of which folding and tipped in at rear; The Two Towers: signature mark '4' at bottom of p49, folding map tipped in at rear; The Return of the King: one of the copies from the first issue with signature mark '4' present on p49 and text 'sagging' in the middle, folding map tipped in at rear; modern, full crimson morocco by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, one line gilt panel and the' Eye of Sauron' motif on each upper boards after the original, very fitting, slightly abstract, handmade cockerel enpapers, all edges gilt, a splendid set.

Hammond and Anderson A5 i, ii, iii.