THE HOBBIT | 1937, first edition, previously owned by Tolkien's uncle.

A superlative example of the first edition of Tolkien's The Hobbit that was once owned by Tolkien's uncle, Walter Incledon who later gifted it to a friend. Inscribed by Incledon: C.S.C. / from / W.B. Incledon. / Rottingdean / Jan? 1938/

Published in the same year as the first impression, this first colour illustrated edition (second impression overall) is the first time the world saw Middle-Earth in colour. This impression was printed in December of 1937 in an edition of 2300 copies (423 of which were destroyed at the warehouse of the binder, Key and Whiting, in the bombing of London on November 7th 1940). This example, with the connection to the Tolkien family, is one of a kind and has been held in the consignee's family by descent since 1938. One does presume that the book was originally given to his uncle by Tolkien himself.

Walter Incledon was a Birmingham merchant, the husband of May Suffield, Tolkien's mothers sister. He was in his early thirties when Tolkien was born, and he provided a financial help to Tolkien's mother and later provided J.R.R with an allowance after his father’s death.

Description and Condition:

First colour illustrated edition. 8vo. A near-fine example. Original publishers green cloth. Minor wear to the extremities of the cloth. Minor shelf lean. Presentation inscription from Tolkien's uncle. Internally near-fine with all illustrations and colour plates accounted for. A one of a kind example with a connection to Tolkien's uncle. A superlative example.

Published by George Allen & Unwin, London, 1937