Handsome set of the first printings (all) of the second US edition of the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy, comprising THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, THE TWO TOWERS, and THE RETURN OF THE KING - all review copies. Tolkien's Middle Earth grew not only from his experiences in World War I and studies as a professor of English Language and Literature at Oxford, but from his childhood hobby of constructed languages (conlangs). Tolkien argued in his essay "A Secret Vice" that "for perfect construction of an art-language it is found necessary to construct at least in outline a mythology" along with it. In other words, "your language construction will breed a mythology." Middle Earth sprang into being in part so that Tolkien could draw on a mature culture, history, and mythology for his beloved conlangs. As a result, we have Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam; Gandalf the Grey, and Aragorn who is Strider; the One Ring, the covetous Gollum, and a harrowing journey to Mount Doom. Houghton published the first US editions of the trilogy from 1954-1956. This second US edition follows closely the second UK from Allen & Unwin of the previous year, which was heavily revised and corrected by the author. These books, marketed as the "Revised Edition" and including a new foreword by Tolkien, were issued both as individual volumes (as here) and a slipcased set. A complete set of review copies is rare. 3 volumes, measuring 8.78'' x 5.5''. Original publisher's full black gilt-stamped cloth all. In original unclipped ($6.00) color pictorial dust jackets all. Jackets and label designed by Robert Quackenbush. 424, 452, and 440 pages respectively, with all folding maps (by Tolkien's son Christopher) present. Maps are unfolded, intact, and in fine condition. Houghton Mifflin review slips loosely laid into each volume. Touches of wear to spine tips, extremities of jackets. Spines evenly sunned. Some toning to top edges of jacket flaps. Cloth worn a bit here and there. Overall: a clean, sound set. Near fine in near fine jackets. First printings (stated) all; first edition thus.
