Description
The Hobbit signed by J.R.R. Tolkien, published by Houghton Mifflin Company of Boston in 1973.
Octavo, [8], [9]-317pp, [3]. Publisher’s blue-green cloth, title stamped in blue on cover and spine. Stated “twenty-ninth printing” on copyright page, released in February of 1973. Solid text block, appears unread. Faint foxing to cloth covers and along top edge of text block, bump to top edge of rear board. Complete with 8 illustrations and 2 bi-fold maps by Tolkien, all in black and white.
In the publisher’s dust jacket, $4.95 on front flap, with advertisements for Lord of the Rings on rear flap. Faint foxing to verso, light toning to spine, free of restoration, a near fine example.
This work was part of the New Houghton Mifflin edition, revised and published in 1966. (Hammond & Anderson, A3j) The inclusion of an ISBN began with the “twenty-fifth” printing (February, 1968) and is found on the copyright page of this copy. (Devon Press, 2024) Housed in custom quarter brown morocco chemise.
Signed on the half title by J.R. R. Tolkien.
Provenance: This copy includes correspondence between Joy Hill and Arthur E. Rash of Rhode Island. Joy Hill was an administrative employee of George Allen & Unwin Ltd, serving as the secretary to Rayner Unwin and supervising correspondences with Professor Tolkien. These 5-letters outline the process of having Professor Tolkien sign this copy in the spring of 1973, a few months prior to his death in September of the same year. Additional correspondence confirms the prior owner purchased this book from Arthur E. Rash in the mid-1980’s.
