The Silmarillion
Epic Fantasy High Fantasy Young Adult Fantasy Adventure Mythology Mythopoeia British Literature Sword and Sorcery
The Silmarillion First Edition 1977 hardback – the earliest telling of Middle-earth’s deep history – arrives here in vintage, collectible condition complete with its original Allen & Unwin dust-jacket. Published only four years after Tolkien’s death, this printing preserves the author’s mythic prologue to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings in the very format that first astonished readers in the 1970s. A previous owner has added a neat handwritten name and brief note (inscribed, not signed by Tolkien), giving the copy a warm, personal provenance that many collectors prize alongside the book’s literary importance.
Inside, the narrative sweeps from the creation of Arda through the First and Second Ages, laying down the tragic sagas of the Silmarils, the rise of Morgoth, and the heroic deeds that shape every later adventure in Middle-earth. For newcomers, it is the essential back-story that explains Elrond’s lineage, Galadriel’s past, and Sauron’s origins; for seasoned Tolkien fans it is the missing puzzle-piece that turns a beloved trilogy into a fully realized mythology. Ages 9-12 and up can enjoy the high language and epic scope, while adult readers discover layers of theology, linguistics, and moral philosophy woven into every chapter.
Because true first-issue copies are increasingly scarce, this 1977 edition—foxed page edges and gentle jacket wear intact—offers an affordable entry point into top-tier Tolkien collecting. Display it on the shelf and you own a tangible slice of fantasy history; open its pages and you step into the elder days of Middle-earth long before the Ring was forged.
Refer to our eBay listing for a full condition report and many more high-quality pictures of this item.
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