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- Hardcover: 320 pages ; Dimensions (in
inches): 1.48 x 9.72 x 7.25
- Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co (Juv);
ISBN: 0395177111; Collector's edition (October 1973)
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Book Description
This
deluxe collector's edition of Tolkien's modern classic is boxed and bound
in green leatherette with gold and red foil rune stamping on the spine and
cover.
The
text pages are printed in black with green accents. It includes five full
page illustrations in full color and many more in two color in addition to
Thror's map -- all prepared by the author.
J.R.R.
Tolkien's own description for the original edition:
"If
you care for journeys there and back, out of the comfortable Western
world, over the edge of the Wild, and home again, and can take an interest
in a humble hero (blessed with a little wisdom and a little courage and
considerable good luck), here is a record of such a journey and such a
traveler.
The
period is the ancient time between the age of Faerie and the dominion of
men, when the famous forest of Mirkwood was still standing, and the
mountains were full of danger.
In
following the path of this humble adventurer, you will learn by the way
(as he did) -- if you do not already know all about these things -- much
about trolls, goblins, dwarves, and elves, and get some glimpses into the
history and politics of a neglected but important period.
For
Mr. Bilbo Baggins visited various notable persons; conversed with the
dragon, Smaug the Magnificent; and was present, rather unwillingly, at the
Battle of the Five Armies.
This
is all the more remarkable, since he was a hobbit. Hobbits have hitherto
been passed over in history and legend, perhaps because they as a rule
preferred comfort to excitement.
But
this account, based on his personal memoirs, of the one exciting year in
the otherwise quiet life of Mr. Baggins will give you a fair idea of the
estimable people now (it is said) becoming rather rare. They do not like
noise."
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