3 Volume 1965 Edition Tolkien Lord of the Rings BOX HC

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The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien

"1965 Edition" Three Volume Hardcover Set Early Printings (12/11/11)

Published by Houghton Mifflin Company

NOT Book Club Copies*

These are quality vintage hardcovers that should hold up through generations to come if they are taken care of.  The books I am offering have been kept very nice stored in the original box.  Large fold-out Maps are still attached and in unused condition. A nice addition to your library if you are a collector or just a Tolkien fan. (See below for more details about the condition of this set.)

*Book Club copies of this vintage were marked with a small square stamp near the bottom of the spine on the back board. This set does not have this stamping, which indicates it is a regular trade edition.

A bit of history:  The "Revised Edition" of The Lord of the Rings was brought into existence largely because of the infamous pirating of the previous edition by ACE in their paperbacks.  Houghton Mifflin hurriedly put together an Authorized Edition which they published in paperback under the Ballantine Books label in October of 1965.  The British "Second Edition" was published by George Allen and Unwin in 1966 based largely on the changes to the American Edition.* Houghton Mifflin used the British 1966 copyright for the first two printings of their hardcover editions in 1967, but used their own 1965 copyright from the third hardcover printing on, and on all their paperbacks. Since Houghton Mifflin was in the practice of not listing printing dates, hardcover printings later than 1967 are often called the "1965 Edition" rather than the more accurate "1967 Edition."

Books 2 and 3 in excellent unread condition with bright unmarked pages, but do have a bit of wrinkling of the dust jackets around the edges. Book 3 has some bumping to the bottom corners in back, and a slight tear to the top outsdie corner of the dust jacket in front. Book one has been used, and has some tearing to the edges of the dust jacket and across the spine as shown. The jacket also has some wrinkling from moisture damage and some staining inside as shown. Looking at the book without the wrapper you would have to examine it very closely to think it was read at all.  The box is very solid, but has some corner rubbing adn slight wear. The inside of the box has a spot where the ribbon was removed. Pictures are of  the actual set offered.  Please ask if you have any questions.