LITERATURE 22 “In A Hole In The Ground There Lived A Hobbit”: First American Edition Of Tolkien’s Classic Fantasy First American edition, in scarce original dust jacket, of the fantasy classic— ”among the very highest achievements of children’s authors during the 20th century” (Carpenter & Pritchard, 530)—with four of Tolkien’s iconic illustrations printed in color. First published in London by Allen & Unwin on September 21, 1937 in a first printing of only 1500 copies, The Hobbit had completely sold out by December 15. A second impression of 2300 copies was rushed to press. “Four plates of color illustrations by Tolkien are present [in the second London impression]… these had been commissioned for the first American edition, and were in the American publisher’s hands when Allen & Unwin decided to include them in the second impression. The original art was called back for reproduction in Britain, then returned across the Atlantic. Tolkien thought that the color plates came out well, but was sorry that the ‘Eagle picture’ (Bilbo Woke Up with the Early Sun in His Eyes) was not included” (Hammond, 15). Said “eagle picture” is present in this American edition. The official publication date of the second English impression is January 25, 1938; this first American edition was published on March 1, 1938, in an edition of only 5000 copies. Book clean and very nearly fine. Scarce original dust jacket with chipping to spine ends and corners, just touching title at spine head, light edge-wear and creasing, both illustrated panels clean and quite presentable, very good. 21TOLKIEN, J.R.R. The Hobbit, or There and Back Again. Boston and New York, 1938. Octavo, original beige cloth, dust jacket, custom box. $35,000 “Among the very highest achievements of children’s authors during the 20th century.” – Carpenter & Pritchard
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