TOLKIEN, J. R. R. (1892-1973). The Lord of the Rings, London, 1955-56, 3 vols., 8vo, 3 folding maps (third vol. lacking title page), original cloth, dust-jackets. FIRST EDITION, various impressions. IMPORTANT: Please see the full description below. (3)

TOLKIEN, J. R. R. (1892-1973).  The Lord of the Rings, comprising: 

The Fellowship of the Ring. London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd., November 1955. 8vo (222 x 140mm). Half title, folding map at the end printed in red and black (last few text leaves browned, occasional very light mainly marginal spotting and staining, a few light spots to folding map). Original red cloth, the spine lettered in silver, top edges red, dust-jacket with price of 21s unclipped (rubbed at the lower edges of the cloth, dust-jacket laid down on thin card and repaired on verso with adhesive tape, some staining and browning, [?]later rear endpaper). FIRST EDITION, fourth impression. 

The Two Towers. London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd., [no month] 1956. 8vo (222 x 140mm). Half title, folding map at the end printed in red and black (occasional very light mainly marginal spotting and staining). Original red cloth, the spine lettered in gilt, top edges red, dust-jacket (very slightly rubbed at the corners of the cloth, dust-jacket with price of 21s unclipped (the corners of cloth very lightly rubbed, some spotting and staining to the dust-jacket). FIRST EDITION, third impression.

The Return of the King. [London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd., 1955]. 8vo (222 x 140mm). Half title, folding map at the end printed in red and black (lacks all between the half title and "Contents" page including the title page, occasional very light mainly marginal spotting and staining). Original red cloth, the spine lettered in silver, top edges red, dust-jacket with price of 21s unclipped (the spine of the cloth rubbed with some pale discolouration in strips, some spotting and staining to dust-jacket with some erosion to head and foot of backstrip, later rear endpaper). FIRST EDITION, second impression ["second impression" printed on the backstrip of the dust-jacket]. The folding maps at the end of each volume are in fine bright and crisp condition, possibly indicating that they are later facsimiles. (3)