The Hobbit

by Tolkien, J R R

The Hobbit tells the famous story of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who is caught up in the affairs of wizards. His journey through Mirkwood and the climactic confrontation with the dragon Smaug served as the launching point for Tolkien's transformative trilogy, The Lord of the Rings. Many of the essential elements of Tolkien's classic saga have their roots in this children's book. The story remains popular, and stands as one of the most enduring (and endearing) stories of the last century. The Hobbit sparked a creative explosion in speculative fiction, a fire that burns brightly to this day. The revival in interest in recent years, in part due to the popularity of the film series inspired by Tolkien's books only shows the timelessness of his story, and the importance of his work.

First Edition Identification

The first impression of the first edition ran as a limited printing of 1500 copies, published by George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1937. Authentic copies with the dust jacket will include a well known hand correction, in black ink, of a misspelling of the last name of Reverend Charles Dodgson (better known as Lewis Carroll) on the back flap. A first edition, first printing of the original U.K. edition can run over $40,000. Signed copies of this edition have been appraised at over $100,000 U.S. Later printings of the first edition also retain much value for collectors. The first U.S. Edition, printed in 1938 by Houghton Mifflin Company, is prized and is commonly sold to collectors at prices well over $2,000. Chips to the cover, a missing dustcover, wear to the spine, and damage to the map in the endpaper, are some of the more common flaws for this book. 

Other Collectible or Notable Editions

For more on collecting The Hobbit and other works by J.R.R. Tolkien, see our blog: https://www.biblio.com/blog/2023/01/collecting-the-lord-of-the-rings-and-other-works-of-j-r-r-tolkie... 

Reviews

Review this book!

On Mar 18, 2022, Anonymous said
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again (but nobody really calls it that anyway), a tale written some time ago by some J. R. R. Tolkien fella, is the story of a Hobbit who indeed goes there... and back again. You see, in the going of there, preceding the coming back again to the place he was before he went there, he came across many an interesting thing in the wild lands to the east (As well as the less wild lands to the west of the East, known to some as the West. There was also some northward travel, but we won't get into that in this review, or the next review for that matter, as the next review will likely have nothing to do with this review, making stories of the northward travels of hobbits of no use, but I digress. Back to the list I was about to list.), such as dwarves, trolls, goblins, a neat ring that most likely will serve no real importance in future adventures by Tolkien, wargs, eagles, a bear dude named Beorn, spiders, elves, some other guys, a dragon, a thrush, some ravens, some rocks, I guess, a wizard, various waters, treasure, glorious gemstone, and some other things that I don't care to recall. Anyway, the story is about Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who does some stuff and goes somewhere (an unusual thing for a Hobbit, apparently, despite the number of books and movies and erotic fanfics based on the adventures of various Hobbits). Most importantly though, the book comes fully equip with two maps! TWO! Not one, not three, but TWO! Of course, I was reading the 70th anniversary edition, bought from www.biblio.com (sign up today!), so the number of maps may vary, depending on whether or not you're reading a library edition that has had numerous pages unceremoniously removed by children. Though, this version has the maps on the back of the front cover and front of the back cover (or would that be the back of the back cover?), making it a lot harder for me/children to rip them from the book to store in my/their stolen map collection. I figure this is enough for a review, so I'll stop rambling now. But I must insist the few of you who haven't read this book stop not having read this book and read this book! I read it and I have a (self-proclaimed) mental disorder (that I take lots and lots of sexy sounding medication for, much of which isn't legal or medication at all).
On Apr 1, 2013, fireflower537 said
This book has one huge major flaw: There are NO female characters. I am guessing all the ladies are in Upper Earth and Lower Earth.

Available Copies

The Hobbit - or, There and Back Again
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The Hobbit - or, There and Back Again

by J.R.R. Tolkien

Condition
Used - Fair
Edition
1st Edition, 1st Printing
Published
1937
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
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Hudson, New Hampshire, USA
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This seller has earned a 3 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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A$30,693.48

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This is the rare, true first printing of "THE HOBBIT - or, There and Back Again" by J.R.R. Tolkien. 1937 1st edition, 1st printing (with "First Published in 1937" stated on the copyright page and no subsequent printings listed); George Allen & Unwin Ltd.; London. All illustrations are present as called for, and are firmly attached. The frontispiece and all… Read more about this item
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A$30,693.48
The Hobbit.

The Hobbit.

by Tolkien, J.R.R

Condition
Used
Published
1937
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1
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Palm Beach, Florida, USA
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A$738,197.50

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Description:
London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1937.
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A$738,197.50
The Hobbit or There and Back Again
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The Hobbit or There and Back Again

by Tolkien, J.R.R.

Condition
Used - Good
Jacket Condition
Poor
Edition
Second Edition/6th Printing
Published
1958
Binding
Hardcover
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1
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Albany, California, USA
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A$1,087.87

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Description:
Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1958. Second Edition/6th Printing. Hardcover. Good/Poor. Tenth Impression overall of the US Edition as stated on the front jacket flap. In light green cloth with blue type and cap motif. Several faint splash stains to top and front page ends. One small spot to middle of spine. Rear bottom corner slighty soft, but corners sharp overall.… Read more about this item
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A$1,087.87
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The Hobbit: Illustrated by the Author

by J. R. R. Tolkien

Condition
New
Binding
Hardback
ISBN 10
0008627835
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1
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Southport, Merseyside, GBR
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A$184.54

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Hardback. New. <p> <strong>For the first time ever, a beautiful slipcased edition of the enchanting prelude to <em>The Lord of the Rings</em>, illustrated throughout with over 50 sketches, drawings, paintings and maps by J.R.R. Tolkien himself, with the complete text printed in two colours and with… Read more about this item
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A$184.54
The Hobbit (Illustrated Deluxe edition)
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The Hobbit (Illustrated Deluxe edition)

by Tolkien, J. R. R.

Condition
New
Jacket Condition
No Jacket
Edition
1st Edition 1st Printing
Published
2023
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0008627835
Quantity Available
1
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St Albans, Hertfordshire, GBR
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A$371.89

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London: HarperCollins, 2023. 1st Edition 1st Printing. Hardcover. New/No Jacket. Slipcased edition illustrated throughout with over 50 sketches, drawings, paintings and maps by J.R.R. Tolkien himself, with the complete text printed in two colours and with many bonus features unique to this edition. Brand new sealed copy.
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A$371.89
The Hobbit
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The Hobbit

by J. R. R. Tolkien

Condition
Used - Good
Jacket Condition
No
Edition
First American Edition Later State
Published
1938
Binding
Hardcover in buff cloth and stamped in blue and red with bowing Hobbitbuff cloth and stamped in blue and red
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Waterville, Maine, USA
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This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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A$6,208.63

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Hardcover in buff cloth and stamped in blue and red with bowing Hobbit. First American Edition, later state with flute player illustration to title page replacing bowing hobbit and Chapter VII beginning on page 118 as intended. Tight binding Unmarked text. Rear hinge repaired. Illustrations by the author. 310 pages, with 15 illustrations including 2 maps as… Read more about this item
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A$6,208.63
The Hobbit
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The Hobbit

by J R R Tolkien

Condition
Used - Very Good Indeed
Jacket Condition
Fair
Published
1958
Binding
Cloth
Quantity Available
1
Seller
BATH, Somerset, GBR
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This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$2,939.85

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London: George Allen & Unwin, 1958. Cloth. Very Good Indeed/Fair. 7.5" by 5". J R R Tolkien. An early edition of J R R Tolkien's important novel 'The Hobbit'. An award winning novel, and a classic in children's literature. The tenth impression of the second edition.'The Hobbit' is the first novel in Tolkien's fantasy world that continued… Read more about this item
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A$2,939.85
THE HOBBIT
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THE HOBBIT

by J.R.R. Tolkien

Condition
Used - Not a Book
Edition
Custom Clamshell Case (Book not included)
Published
1937
Binding
No Binding
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Montreal, Quebec, CAN
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This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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A$543.94

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London: George Allen and Unwin, 1937. Custom Clamshell Case (Book not included). No Binding. Not a Book. Custom Clamshell Case (Book not included). No Binding. First Edition Clamshell Case. Superb Custom Fitted Modern Collector's Clamshell Bookcase [Not A Book] HAND-CRAFTED by our conservation team, each box is Gilt-stamped at the spine, & features a blind embossed [sculpted] THE… Read more about this item
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A$543.94
The Hobbit (2nd American Edition, 8th Impression)
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The Hobbit (2nd American Edition, 8th Impression)

by J. R. R. Tolkien

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
Good
Edition
2nd Edition
Published
1956
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Lynchburg, Virginia, USA
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Item Price
A$1,087.87

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2nd American edition. 8th impression. 1,000 copies of this impression were sent from Allen & Unwin to Houghton Mifflin. Dust jacket states 8th impression, book is confirmed the same by the clipped 'e' in 'the' on page 20, line 6. Book is in Very Good condition, with joints showing signs of weakness. Some very light foxing on map endpapers. Some… Read more about this item
Item Price
A$1,087.87
The Hobbit
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The Hobbit

by Tolkien, J.R.R.

Condition
Used - Good+
Edition
1st ed, 1st state
Published
1938
Binding
Bound in publisher's original buff cloth stamped in blue and red; lacking the dust jacket
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Victoria, Texas, USA
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A$12,432.80

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First American edition, first state with a bowing hobbit on the title page, and Chapter VII mistakenly titled Chapter VI. Bound in publisher's original buff cloth (slight staining) stamped in blue and red; lacking the dust jacket. Good + with light foxing to cloth and loosening on the interior spine, corners rubbed; former owner labels. More photos available upon… Read more about this item
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A$12,432.80
The Hobbit: The Classic Bestselling Fantasy Novel (Large Print)
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The Hobbit: The Classic Bestselling Fantasy Novel (Large Print)

by Tolkien, J. R. R.

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
No Dj cover as issued
Edition
First edition-first printing of this Large Print edition
Published
2003
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0007156987
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1
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Southampton, Hampshire, GBR
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A$292.03

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VGC. HarperCollins, 2003. First edition-first printing of this Large Print edition (1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2). Pictorial hardback (small tear, a couple of small nicks and dents on the edges of the cover) in VGC, no Dj cover as issued. Illustrated with b/w illustrations, map. Nice and clean pages with a couple small ink marks… Read more about this item
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A$292.03
The Hobbit
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The Hobbit

by Tolkien, J.R.R.

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
Good
Edition
1st Edition
Published
1938
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
La Mesa, California, USA
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This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$23,311.50

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Houghton Mifflin Co.. A beautiful crisp clean hardcover copy in very good condition, light foxing to top edge of textblock, upper corner edge of textblock slightly bumped. DJ, clipped, in good condition with small chips along edges. Genuine first edition first printing with bowing hobbit on title page and Chapter VII identified as Chapter VI. . Very Good. Hardcover.… Read more about this item
Item Price
A$23,311.50
The Hobbit (First American Edition, First State)
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The Hobbit (First American Edition, First State)

by J. R. R. Tolkien

Condition
Used - Good
Jacket Condition
No Jacket
Edition
First American edition, first st
Published
1938
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Hendersonville, North Carolina, USA
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This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$9,324.60

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Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1938. First American edition, first st. Hardcover. Good/No Jacket. 8vo. FIRST AMERICAN EDITION, FIRST STATE, 1938. The first state of the first American edition has a bowing hobbit (facing to the left) on the title page. In the second state this device is replaced with a worn publisher (facing to the right). Tan… Read more about this item
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A$9,324.60
The Hobbit
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The Hobbit

by J.R.R. Tolkien

Condition
Used
Edition
80th anniversary facsimile edition
Published
2016
Binding
Light green cloth pictorially stamped in navy
Quantity Available
1
Seller
New York, New York, USA
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A$233.12

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TOLKIEN, J[ohn] R[onald] R[euel]. The Hobbit Or There and Back Again. London: [HarperCollins] George Allen & Unwin [2016]. 8vo, 310pp. + [2]advts. Light green cloth pictorially stamped in navy; top edge green. Differing two-color map endpapers; 10 b&w plates. A fine copy in original color pictorial dust jacket and housed in a color pictorial clamshell case with a lenticular cover… Read more about this item
Item Price
A$233.12
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The Hobbit

by J.R.R. Tolkien

Condition
Used; Good
Published
05/07/1996
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0261103342
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1
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London, Greater London, GBR
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A$6.84

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HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, 05/07/1996. Paperback. Used; Good. **WE SHIP WITHIN 24 HRS FROM LONDON, UK, 98% OF OUR ORDERS ARE RECEIVED WITHIN 7-10 DAYS. We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books.
Item Price
A$6.84
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The Hobbit

by J. R. R. Tolkien

Condition
Used; Good
Binding
Mass Market Paperback
ISBN 10
0261102214
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Milton Keynes , Buckinghamshire, GBR
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This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$6.82

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HarperCollins. Mass Market Paperback. Used; Good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there’s something for every literary palate. All orders are… Read more about this item
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A$6.82
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The Hobbit: Illustrated by the Author

by Tolkien, J. R. R.

Condition
New
Published
2023
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0008627835
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Exeter, Devon, GBR
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This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$228.25

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HarperCollins, 2023. Hardcover. New. illustrated deluxe edition edition. 384 pages. 11.22x6.50x2.52 inches.
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A$228.25
The Hobbit
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The Hobbit

by Tolkien, J.R.R.

Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
First Edition
Published
1938
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Portland, Oregon, USA
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This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$19,426.25

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Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1938. First Edition. Very Good. First American edition, first state with a bowing hobbit on the title page, and Chapter VII mistakenly titles Chapter VI. Bound in publisher's original buff cloth stamped in blue and red; lacking the dust jacket. Very Good with light marking to bottom of spine, spine ends… Read more about this item
Item Price
A$19,426.25
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"The Hobbit" ( fragment of the text)

by Tolkien, J. R. R.

Condition
Used
Published
1969
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Chamesson, FRA
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This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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A$777.05

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The first publication of Tolkien in Russian, not known in bibliographies and studies devoted to his work. On pages 30-40, there is a fragment from "The Hobbit" (the first edition in Russian was published in 1976). The name of the translator of the first fragment from Tolkien remains unknown. The magazine "England" was one of the strange periodicals, the very existence… Read more about this item
Item Price
A$777.05
The Hobbit
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The Hobbit

by J.R.R. Tolkien

Condition
Used - Very Good+
Edition
5th or later Printing
Published
1956
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
London, Greater London, GBR
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This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$930.95

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UK: George Allen & Unwin, 1956. 5th or later Printing. Hardcover. Very Good+. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien Eighth Impression George Allen & Unwin Ltd 1956. Very small neat contemporary name inscription to ffep. Some light sporadic foxing to prelims (only). Original publisher's cloth covers are bright and clean. VG+. "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien is a… Read more about this item
Item Price
A$930.95