THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, Being the First Part of The Lord of the Rings.

First edition, second impression. Publisher's original red cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. Top edge red. Large folding map of Middle Earth at the rear. A better than very good copy, the binding square and firm with some bumping to the spine tips and corners, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents, with a school prize bookplate to the front pastedown, are otherwise clean throughout and without foxing, inscriptions or stamps. The red top edge is a little faded and dusty. Complete with the rubbed and creased dustwrapper that is toned to the spine and panel edges and otherwise without loss or tears. Not price-clipped (21s net to the lower front flap and 'second impression' at the top).

The first printing of the first volume of The Lord of the Rings was published 29 July 1954 in an edition of 3,000 copies. This second impression, with corrections to the text and title page was ordered 17 September 1954 and published in an edition of 2,500 copies in December. A misunderstanding between the publisher and printer resulted in the first edition type setting being dismantled after the first printing. Jarrolds, in their haste to reset the volume, and to meet Allen and Unwin's need to replenish their stock, introduced 21 new errors to the text, some of which remained for many years after. (Hammond and Anderson A5a.i.)