Hello Up for auction, is this RARE first printing of the first appearance of The Hobbit in paperback form, published by Puffin in 1961. This is a significant book for Tolkien collectors, being the first time The Hobbit appeared ain’t softcover form - which paved the way for further expanding the world of Middle Earth to young readers. As such, this edition is now highly sought after, especially as the first-print print-run was just 35,000 copies - a very small number for a paperback (which, by design is usually more mass market, and had larger print runs). The book features the superb, and evocative cover art of Pauline Baynes, who also created illustrations for C S Lewis’ ‘Narnia’. See pics for all round condition. For a book where survival survival rates are likely to be very low indeed, this book presents in very good condition, with fantastic colour, sharp corners still, and overall minimal evidence of handling. The spine is in particularly good condition, presenting without the usual cracking which would typically occur if the book had been over-zealously opened out. The binding is tight and springy still, there are no loose pages, and all the pages are clean and blemish-free. There are no internal marks or annotations. There is just the usual age-related toning to the paper as one would expect. All-round, this is a superb example of a very rare and significant book in the Tolkien collecting world. Grab this great opportunity to own this rare first print.