The Hobbit. ***Collectable Tolkien: 1971 Third Edition, Sixth Impression***

A nice example of a scarce and collectable vintage hardcover edition of The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien - in solid, good preservation, without any serious defects. The binding remains sound and true; internally, the pages are clean and have not succumbed to the usual soiling and foxing. This is the third edition, sixth impression from 1971, and presents well. A lovely feature of this edition is the inclusion of the author's own illustrations, including his full colour plates - wonderful! These early 1970s Allen & Unwin British editions of The Hobbit are becoming harder and harder to obtain in decent overall preservation, and especially in their original dust-jackets. Nice and clean throughout, this copy does show mild and acceptable age-related wear typical of its age. The book: a well preserved example in sound and collectible condition, with light extremity fading to the boards and a small bump (bottom right, front board), otherwise a solid survivor from the 70s, and nicer than often found. A brief gift inscription (top of front blank endpaper) adds a dash of attractive provenance (who were "Les Girls"?) and probably accounts for why the book, though obviously read, shows that it has been well cared for over the years. The neatly price-clipped dust-jacket, similarly, is in attractive preservation and essentially intact - there is some shallow chipping, minor loss, and a bit of creasing and nicks to the outer jacket edges that is commensurate with age, though nothing major. The iconic wraparound artwork still retains its colours well. (I've fitted a removeable protector around the dust-jacket to keep it safe during the next phase of its life). Dimensions: Approx. 12.5cm x 19cm.…