The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien — First Edition, First Impression (1937) — George Allen & Unwin — With First-Issue Dust Jacket (“Dodgeson” error), Map Endpapers & Custom Clamshell Case

An original 1937 first edition, first impression of The Hobbit, retaining the first-issue dust jacket with the “Dodgeson” misprint, correct price (7s. 6d. net), original map endpapers, and Tolkien’s illustrated cloth binding. Housed in a custom cloth clamshell case.

Bibliographic Details
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Title: The Hobbit or There and Back Again
Publisher: George Allen & Unwin Ltd., London (Museum Street)
Date: 1937
Edition: First Edition
Impression: First Impression
Printer: Unwin Brothers Ltd., Woking
Collation: With frontispiece and black & white illustrations by the author; map endpapers showing Thror’s Map and Wilderland
Binding: Original green cloth with black dragon design to lower board
Dust Jacket: Original first-issue pictorial dust jacket, priced 7s. 6d. net

This is a true first impression of The Hobbit, published in 1937 by George Allen & Unwin and printed by Unwin Brothers Ltd., Woking. The copyright page states “First published in 1937” with no later impressions listed. The book retains the original black and white illustrations throughout, including the frontispiece “The Hill: Hobbiton across the Water,” and the illustrated map endpapers depicting Wilderland, both as called for in the first printing. The original green cloth binding with Tolkien’s black dragon design to the lower board remains structurally sound, with light rubbing at the extremities and gentle wear at the spine foot consistent with age and handling. The text block shows the expected toning typical for this paper stock but remains clean and without ownership inscriptions visible in the volume.

Dust-jacket condition: Original first-issue Tolkien-designed jacket, unclipped at 7s. 6d. net, with the rear-flap “Dodgeson” misprint corrected by hand. The blue and green retain strong colour. Toning and brown discoloration, particularly to the flaps and verso, with scattered spotting, creasing, edge tears and small losses, including at the foot of the spine and at the flap edges and corners. Several long strips of old transparent tape run along the spine folds on the verso, overlapping in places. The splits and tears beneath remain visible. The owner reports no infilling, backing or retouching. Detailed photographs show the exterior, flaps, verso, tape and losses.

Provenance: Purchased in April 2005 from a secondhand bookshop in Oxted, Surrey, where it had come from a house clearance. In a private collection since. A letter from the previous owner is available on request.

The book is housed in a custom green cloth clamshell case with gilt spine lettering reading “J.R.R. Tolkien — The Hobbit — 1st printing 1937 — George Allen & Unwin,” lined in dark felt, providing secure protection and presentation appropriate for a work of this importance.

Few books of the twentieth century altered the literary landscape as profoundly as The Hobbit. First impressions retaining their original dust jackets have become increasingly scarce, and copies preserving the correct first-state points — including the “Dodgeson” error and intact price — are firmly established among the cornerstone volumes of modern literature collecting. This example, showing honest signs of age yet remaining sound and complete, represents a significant acquisition for any serious Tolkien collection.

A first impression of The Hobbit with its first-issue dust jacket, preserved in a custom clamshell case.

Additional dust-jacket photographs — October 2026

Exterior, original price, flaps and reverse, including old tape repairs, discoloration, tears and losses. These photographs supplement the book and case views above.

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Interested: Please send email to info@tolkienlibrary.com.