The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien, Collector's Edition, circa 1978

Tolkien, J.R.R. The Hobbit, or There and Back Again. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, circa 1978. Collector’s Edition, 10th printing. Octavo. In publisher's original green leatherette boards, bordered in red and gold foil, stamped in gold on the front, bordered in red and gold foil and titled in gold on the spine. Green marbled paper edges. Illustrated throughout. Housed in the publisher's matching green slipcase with pictorial inlay. 

This is an handsome Collector’s Edition of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic The Hobbit, or There and Back Again. This Collector's Edition was first published on October 24, 1973 by Houghton Mifflin Company, the same publisher as the first American edition. It was sold "at $12.50; 20,000 copies printed. Houghton Mifflin announced a price of S12.50 until 31 December 1973, $15.00 thereafter, and that 'time permits only one printing before Christmas'. Publisher's records, however, indicate three impressions by 12 October (20,000; 5,000; 5,000)."(Hammond, with Anderson, 1993, p. 47-48). This is the tenth printing of this Collector's Edition, as indicated by the printer's key "H 10," issued in February of 1978. This Collector’s Edition is illustrated with a two maps, five full color plates, and several black and green illustrations. This beloved tale is presented here in the publisher’s original green leatherette boards, bordered with runes in red and gold foil and stamped in gold on the front, and bordered in red and gold foil and titled in gold on the spine. It is housed in the publisher's matching green slipcase with pictorial inlay. 

The Hobbit follows the quest of the main character Bilbo Baggins as he ventures to win a treasure guarded by Smaug the dragon. The story is told in the form of an episodic quest with the introduction of new characters as Bilbo journeys through unknown territories. The book focuses on the character’s personal growth and a developed sense of heroism. Critics believe the themes and story line to be developed from Tolkien’s own experiences during World War I.

Upon its first release, the novel was met with unwavering and practically unanimous praise. Following financial and critical success, Tolkien was encouraged to write a sequel. Tolkien's work progressed on the successor The Lord of the Rings, and he made significant changes to The Hobbit in the second edition of the work to accommodate it. To this day, The Hobbit has never gone out of print and remains a prominent work in the genre of high fantasy, especially following cinematic adaptations.

CONDITION:

Overall very good condition. Collector's Edition. Tenth printing. Octavo. In the publisher's original green leatherette boards, bordered in red and gold foil, stamped in gold on the front, bordered in red and gold foil and titled in gold on the spine. Light scratches to back board, bumping and light wear to the top of the spine. Green marbled paper edges, green endpapers. Illustrated throughout with two maps, five full color plates, and green and black illustrations. Clean pages, without marks or tears. Housed in the publisher's matching green slipcase with pictorial inlay. Faded inlay, scuffs to slipcase, wear to slipcase corners.

Book Dimensions: 9 1/4" H x 7" W x 1 3/8" D.
Slipcase Dimensions: 9 3/4" H x 7 1/4" W x 1 1/2" D.

REFERENCES:
Hammond, Wayne G., with the assistance of Douglas A. Anderson. J.R.R. Tolkien: A Descriptive Bibliography. Winchester: St. Paul's Bibliographies; New Castle, Delaware: Oak Knoll Books, 1993.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.