First editions, first impressions. The first edition was published in editions of 3,000 copies, 3,250 copies, and 7,000 copies respectively, so that there are no more than 3,000 sets in first impression throughout. The Return of the King is known in two states; the present copy is in the first state, page 49 with the signature mark “4” present and all lines of type sagging slightly in the middle. The three books together in first edition, first impression, first state are now increasingly scarce in the original printed dust jackets.

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