The Hobbit
High Fantasy Coming-of-Age Adventure Children's Fantasy Epic Quest Collectible Fantasy Middle-Grade Fiction
Own the 1990 hardcover that introduced millions of readers to Middle-earth. This vintage edition of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” arrives with its original illustrated dust jacket still intact, a feature collectors prize because later printings often lost the iconic cover art. Printed on high-quality paper that has stayed bright for more than three decades, the book feels solid in the hand—no shaken hinges, no musty basement smell—just the crisp scent of an unread classic waiting on the shelf.
Inside, every map and line-drawing by Tolkien himself is reproduced in sharp detail, letting readers trace Bilbo’s path from Bag End to the Lonely Mountain exactly as the author envisioned. The pages are clean, free of dog-ears or thumbing marks, so the adventure unfolds as freshly as it did in 1937. A single gift inscription on the fly-leaf adds a personal touch without detracting from value; many collectors actually prefer a tasteful note because it authenticates the book’s journey through time.
Because “The Hobbit” sits at the crossroads of children’s literature and high fantasy, this copy works equally well for a middle-grade reader discovering Middle-earth for the first time or an adult filling the last gap in a matched Lord of the Rings set. With film interest still driving demand and early-1990s printings becoming harder to find in this condition, the book is both a nostalgic keepsake and a smart investment that gains collectible stature every year.
Refer to our eBay listing for a full condition report and many more high-quality pictures of this item.
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