The Fellowship of the Ring; The Two Towers; The Return of the King.
London, George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1963
Tolkien's modern classic, The Lord of the Rings. Named Britain's best book in the BBC's inaugural The Big Read survey of 2003, The Lord of the Rings regularly features in lists of the world's greatest novels, and continues to be one of the most published works of all time. Found here in the original unclipped dust-jackets, with the maps in good working order.
At first, Tolkien intended the the books to be a children's tale in the style of The Hobbit but The Lord of the Rings quickly grew darker and more serious in tone. 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 continues to weigh heavily on the fantasy genre, the popularity of which grew following the success of The Lord of the Rings.
First editions, thirteenth, tenth and tenth impressions; 3 vols; 8vo (23 x 15 cm); full-page and folding maps; publisher's red cloth, top edges stained red (as published), slight shelf-lean to first and this vols., minor wear to extremities commensurate with age, pictorial dust-jackets spines darkened, the first showing more signs of wear with chipping and short splits to spine and rear flat folds, the remaining two vols with light toning and dust-soiling but in the main very good, not price-clipped, with no ownership names or inscriptions and internally fine; 423, [1]; 352; 416pp.
At first, Tolkien intended the the books to be a children's tale in the style of The Hobbit but The Lord of the Rings quickly grew darker and more serious in tone. 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 continues to weigh heavily on the fantasy genre, the popularity of which grew following the success of The Lord of the Rings.
First editions, thirteenth, tenth and tenth impressions; 3 vols; 8vo (23 x 15 cm); full-page and folding maps; publisher's red cloth, top edges stained red (as published), slight shelf-lean to first and this vols., minor wear to extremities commensurate with age, pictorial dust-jackets spines darkened, the first showing more signs of wear with chipping and short splits to spine and rear flat folds, the remaining two vols with light toning and dust-soiling but in the main very good, not price-clipped, with no ownership names or inscriptions and internally fine; 423, [1]; 352; 416pp.
About us
Shapero Rare Books is an internationally renowned dealer in antiquarian & rare books and works on paper.
Our Bookshop and Gallery can be found in the heart of Mayfair at 106 New Bond Street, where most of our stock is available to view and on public display.
We exhibit at major international art fairs, including TEFAF (Maastricht and New York), Frieze Masters, Art Miami and Masterpiece London, as well as antiquarian & rare book fairs including New York, Paris, London, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hong Kong.
