The Lord of the Rings 5-4-2 set [1955-1956] – J.R.R. Tolkien association copy

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: First Edition Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien. Published by George Allen & Unwin in 1955-1956. This set was originally owned by the renowned American professor in classical and medieval languages Charles Christopher Mierow (1883–1961), who played a significant role in part of the genesis of 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings'. Mierow's work, 'The Gothic History of Jordanes' (1908), meticulously documented the history of the Goths, tracing their origins from Scandinavia to their migration to the Black Sea region. It delves into the Gothic Wars, including their conflicts with the Huns. Tolkien drew inspiration from this book for his creation of orcs, drawing parallels with the Huns. Moreover, Mierow's book spurred Tolkien's interest in the Gothic language, which he utilized in crafting 'Qenya', the High-Elven tongue featured in 'The Lord of the Rings'. [See: ‘The Rhetoric of History in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings’, University of Pretoria, J.L. Painter 2015].

Following Charles Mierow's passing in 1961, the books embarked on a remarkable journey from the USA: Over thirty years ago, a Dutch student discovered the set in a small shop in Nepal. The circumstances surrounding how the books ended up in South Asia remain unknown, but it's clear that like Frodo Baggins in 'The Lord of the Rings', they undertook a very long journey.

--- The Fellowship of the Ring: 1956 first edition, FIFTH impression in fifth impression dust jacket.  Notations 'Nov. 14, 1956,' and 'Charles C. Mierow, Colorado College,' written in a blue ink on the first free endpaper. Mierow also marked a passage in the margin of pages 136, 137, and 138 with a thin (approx. 1 cm) vertical blue line.

-- The Two Towers: 1956 first edition, FOURTH impression in a third impression dust jacket (as issued).

---  The Return of the King: 1956 first edition SECOND impression in a second impression dust jacket.

Near fine set with undamaged bright red cloth covers. The gold gilt lettering on the spine is still bold. Binding firm, pages bright and clean. The price-clipped dust jackets have some fading towards the spine. The dust jacket of The Fellowship of the Ring has a few small tears and some brown spots on the back. The dust jacket of Return of the King has two small pencil marks on the back.

Overall, a near fine set with a truly remarkable and captivating provenance.