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Allen and Unwin. 5,3,2 Uniform wear and aging so bought and kept together as a set. Dust jackets have fading to spines, some minor marks on covered, with tattering to spine ends. However, they have their original grey colour and not faded to beige which is rare. Books have no serious flaws, slight lean to all three, minor foxing to end pages. Spine gilt bright. TT has a 4th jacket on 3rd books which is normal as the publisher used them up. These earlier printing first edition sets are getting harder to find in collectible condition, especially dust jackets without repair or restoration. A rare set in original condition as good as they come. In our 25 year experience the most common first edition set, defined as sold as a set of three books in the shop, at the same time was the impressions 7,5,4. However, from time to time we see 5,4,2 and 5,4,3 as sets which clearly have been kept together as a set due to uniform wear of the books and jackets. These are the first/earlier sets sold. Thus this is the true first edition set, appearing for the first time as set for sale. Condition, Condition, Condition! As Tolkien book collecting grows in popularity, the availability of collectible/investment original condition books and jackets disappears. It is not just the printing/edition that matters to the value, but that serious collectors want only the best condition. Books with damaged jackets or even no jackets at all, are now increasing in price, driving up the price of complete and better condition copies. You could have a poor copy worth only £200 or a fine copy worth £5,000. That's how important condition is to value. You should always buy the best you can afford original jackets, early printing and very good or better. Unlike other genre?s, the market for Tolkien early editions is quite mature and well established. It is not a matter of waiting for a better copy to come along. There aren?t going to be any! There are no more hiding in the attic or charity shops. People sell off their more worn copies when they upgrade and now leave their collections to their children. We?ve been a specialist dealer for 20 years. Some examples that were plentiful just two years ago are now completely gone or only the dregs appear. As time goes on, you?ll pay more money, for less condition. First editions The Lord of the Rings and Hobbits remain the most in demand. If you like it, can afford it, then buy it while its available! Dear American Customers, your items will arrive tariffs paid by us. I would expect delays in delivery the next few weeks as the new customs systems come on-line.
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