The Hobbit or There and Back Again by J. R. R. Tolkien - 1978

London: George Allen & Unwin, 1978. Cloth. Near Fine/Near Fine. 9" by 5.5". J. R. R. Tolkien. A superb fourth edition of the extremely popular tale of 'The Hobbit,' complete with its unclipped dust wrapper. The first impression of the fourth edition. A superb copy of this work, profusely illustrated by the author with various charming plates both in black and white and colour, as well as the original maps printed to the endpapers. Originally published in 1937, The Hobbit is to this day one of the best juvenile fiction pieces. It is recognised as a classic in children's literature. The story is set in the fantastical universe created by Tolkien, and follows the quest of Bilbo Baggins to win a treasure guarded by Smaug the dragon. It is a marvellous tale of high adventure and a prelude to The Lord of the Rings. German philology, mythology and fairy tales have been central points of inspiration for J. R. R. Tolkien.This book has never run out of print, being continuous subject of adaptations for stage, radio, screens, board games, video games. With the original, unclipped dust wrapper. In the original publisher's full cloth binding. Externally lovely with minor shelf wear and a minor bumping to the head and tail of the spine. Gift inscription by a previous owner to the front blank page, dated 1978. The dust wrapper is unclipped and lovely with minor shelf wear only. Internally, firmly bound. The pages are bright and clean. Illustrated by Tolkien, with the original maps printed to the endpapers and colour plates throughout. Near Fine