True 1st 1963 Deluxe Edition UK Lord of the Rings 3 Vol Start Price USD 1,899.99 Current Price USD 1,899.99 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Wednesday, October 08, 2008 End Time Saturday, October 18, 2008 Location Alameda, California See more about 'True 1st 1963 Deluxe Edition UK Lord of the Rings 3 Vol' Description The Lord of the Rings.1st Deluxe Edition 1964.George Allen & Unwin.3 Volumes Hardback in reproduction slipcase with Pauline Baynes triptych artwork.Hammond p.98. This is the true 1st Deluxe Edition of the 3 volumes of The Lord of the Rings, comprised of "The Fellowship of the Ring", "The Two Towers", and "The Return of the King". Only one impression issued.  This was a set of 1963 impressions bound in black buckram, with gilt page edges and a silk bookmark. According to correspondence between Allen & Unwin and the printers Jarrold & Sons, 1,000 sets of books were bound in November 1964.  500 sets were boxed in November or early December 1964, and another 500 in October[?] 1965.  The books were bound by Jarrold & Sons. Each volume features Bevel-Edged boards, art-gilt page edges, and original silk bookmark sewn in and grey endpapers.  This information can be verified at An Illustrated Tolkien Bibliography (http://www.tolkienbooks.net/html/1st-deluxe-lr.html). This Deluxe Edition was aimed at the Christmas and birthday markets and was to be sold at an "enhanced price".  To justify the increased retail price, superior quality materials had to be used.  Buckram is a hard wearing fabric (usually made from cotton or linen and stiffened with size or glue) and was a great improvement on the relatively cheap, easily stained red cloth used for the standard edition.  The boards on the standard trade edition are just 2mm thick, whereas the 2lb Thames Improved Quality boards are 4mm thick - a considerable increase that, combined with the use of the buckram, produces a much more solid feeling book.  The head and tailbands, heavier weight coloured endpapers, silk bookmark and art-gilt page edges were relatively inexpensive, but all added to the overall 'feel' of quality. The Fellowship of the Ring - 1st Edition, 13th Impression 1963.  The book is in good plus to very good condition. The gilt spine printing is a little worn and there is a small vertical crease at the top of the spine.  The book black buckram cover shows some superficial rubbing, but is whole & complete, without any major stains or faults but not as shiny as new.  The art-gilt page edges have lost some of the gilding from age wear mainly on the bottom page edges.  Internally the pages are in fine condition without any marks and with no inscriptions.  The map showing A Part of The Shire appears opposite page 24. The 1954 version of the map of The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age inserted on a fold-out sheet at the rear is still firmly in place and in mint condition and the binding is still tight and secure. The Two Towers - 1st Edition, 10th Impression 1963.  The book is in good plus to very good condition.  The gilt spine printing is fresh and barely worn.  The book black buckram cover shows some superficial rubbing, but is whole & complete, without any major stains or faults but not as shiny as new and a couple of dull spots which may have been due to a couple of water drops.  The front upper corner is not too badly bumped.  The spine looks lighter in color, but this is a common flaw with the The Two Towers in this edition.  The art-gilt page edges have lost some of the gilding from age wear but are still quite golden and shiny.  Internally the pages are in fine condition without any marks and with no inscriptions.  The map of The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age in the back is still firmly in place and in mint condition and the binding is still tight and secure. The Return of the King - 1st Edition, 10th Impression 1963.  The book is in good plus to very good condition.  The gilt spine printing is a little worn and there is an dimple indentation at the spine bottom but the gold 'w' in 'Unwin' is still clear and unaffected by the dimple.   The book black buckram cover shows some superficial rubbing, but is whole & complete, without any major stains or faults but not as shiny as new and a couple of dull spots which may have been due to a couple of water drops.  The art-gilt page edges have lost some of the gilding from age wear but are still quite golden and shiny.  Internally the pages are in fine condition without any marks and with no inscriptions.  The Map of Gondor, Rohan and Mordor in the back is still firmly in place and in mint condition and the binding is still tight and secure. Place a Bid!