TOLKIEN, J. R. R.
 
The Lord of the Rings, first edition first impression Readers Union; London, 1960.
 
Description
 
J.R.R. Tolkien complete set of three; first edition, first impression, Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Scarce Readers Union edition. The sheets for which were produced by Allen Unwin, using the printers Jarrolds and then bound by Readers Union.
Issued in slightly under 3000 sets and available to Readers Union subscribers only. This edition, produced as a special offer for Readers Union members, was the result of the partnership between the Reader's Union and Sir Stanley Unwin; agreeing to print a very limited run of Readers Union copies at higher than normal price. Thus in a limited impression of each volume and printed under a shared imprint with Allen & Unwin; marking a notable entry in the publishing history of Tolkien's works.
Bound in publisher's cinnamon cloth with gilt lettering.
In original unclipped dust jackets; two of the three have had preservation work and have been backed to paper matching the colour of the publisher’s cloth binding. A very attractive set indeed. Dust jackets bearing Tolkien’s own drawing of the ‘Eye of Sauron’.
All first edition first impression. All jackets remain unclipped. Excepting some chipping to the jacket extremities, minor bump to corners, all three are very good indeed, if not better. Fellowship of the Ring title page joint split to paper only, spine and binding good. Blocks on all three are also very good indeed and with only minimal spotting if any.
Bright and clean throughout. No inscriptions and endpapers also clean.