TOLKIEN, J.R.R. (author). Tove JANSSON (illustrator) [Britt G. HALLQVIST] (translator). Bilbo En Hobbits Aventyr. Stockholm; Rabén & Sjögren. 1962.
Tall 8vo. Original green cloth-backed pink pictorial boards, spine lettered gilt; pp. [vi], 7-308; with 58 delightful drawings in line including 12 full-page plates; an uncommonly fresh, crisp, sharp, and near fine, copy, priced 16:50 to lower board, with just a touch of fading to upper margin of top cover and to lower cover and joint, small wear to forecorner tips, and a tiny bruise to lower forecorner of upper board; internally very fresh, and uninscribed, with 2 pale and minor marks, one insignificant, and the other a faint splash (15mm) to one fore-edge margin; a genuinely scarce book, particularly so in this condition as the pink dye of the boards is prone to fading.
First edition illustrated by Tove Jansson, with text in Swedish, issued without a dustwrapper; not published in English. The Swedish-speaking Finnish writer Tove Jansson is best known as the creator of a series of books about the Moomintrolls. Her interpretation of Tolkien's classic work met with a mixed reception on publication with some observers disappointed that she did not remain true to the details of the book and others glorying in this wild and fresh Scandinavian version of Middle Earth. It appeared in one edition and was not reprinted.
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