The Hobbit, or, There and Back Again by J. R. R. Tolkien - 1957

London: George Allen & Unwin LTD, 1957. Cloth. Near Fine/Poor. 7.5" by 5". J. R. R. Tolkien. An early edition of J. R. R. Tolkien's novel, illustrated throughout by Tolkien himself. The ninth impression of this work.In the original unclipped dustwrapper.Illustrated with a colour frontispiece, maps to the endpapers, seven plates, and one in-text illustration.'The Hobbit' is the first novel in Tolkien's fantasy world that continued with great success with his 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy.In 'The Hobbit', the reader is introduced to Tolkien's world, following the adventures of Bilbo Baggins as he voyages with a group of dwarves to win a share of the treasure horded by the dangerous dragon Smaug. Bilbo is given the important ring by Gandalf, and later gifts it to his nephew, Frodo, in 'The Fellowship of the Rings'.Tolkien wrote this prequel intended for children, though the trilogy was aimed towards adults. Written by J. R. R. Tolkien, illustrated with his own drawings. Tolkien is best known for his invention of this high fantasy universe, with six blockbuster films being made out of his four works.Prior owner's ink inscription to the half-title. In the original publisher's cloth binding, in the original unclipped dustwrapper. Externally, smart. A touch of fading to the spine. Light bumping to the head and tail of the spine and to the extremities. A few spots to the fore edge. Dustwrapper is torn, with the wraps detached, lacking the spine. About a one and a half inch piece of the spine remains, and is loosely inserted. Aged tape repairs to the reverse of the dustwrapper. Edgewear to the wraps, resulting in small chips and small closed tears. Tidemark to the reverse of the wraps, which don't show through prominently to the illustrated wraps due to the dark colour of the illustration. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Small pen mark to the margin of page 260. Very small tidemark to the last few pages. Near Fine