The History of Middle-earth
FIRST EDITIONS in outstanding condition of all twelve volumes of Tolkien's History of Middle-earth. WITH: First edition of Unfinished Tales and J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography, by Humphrey Carpenter.
"'The History of Middle-earth' is an account of Tolkien's vast legendarium: the body of tales, languages, geography, and other lore from which sprang The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, and into which The Hobbit 'intruded'. Selections from Tolkien's variant manuscripts are printed to show their complex evolution, together with commentary and notes by Christopher Tolkien. The series encompasses J.R.R. Tolkien's invented mythology from The Book of Lost Tales (begun 1916-17), through The Lord of the Rings, to the author's last, inconclusive work on 'The Silmarillion' and associated writings before his death in 1973" (Hammond, J.R.R. Tolkien: A Descriptive Bibliography).
London: Allen & Unwin; Unwin Hyman; Harper Collins; 1980 (Unfinished Tales), 1983-1996. Octavo, original cloth, original dust jackets. All volumes in fine condition except for small chip to dust jacket on volume 9 and volume 12. All first impressions; dust jackets with printed prices when called for by Hammond, except for volume 11 (indicating probable export issue of first impression). NOTE: There are two copies of Vol. 9 included (only one pictured)- one with a price on the dust jacket (probable first issue) and one without (likely book club issue of this volume). Hammond A21-A29. Rare complete and in such fine condition. $6500.
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