TOLKIEN (J.R.R.) [The Lord of the Rings], FIRST EDITIONS: The Fellowship of the Ring, fifteenth impression; The Two Towers, twelfth impression; The Return of the King, eleventh impression, 3 vol., EACH VOLUME SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR, folding map at end of each volume, light toning, tape stains on endpapers (probably from old dust-jacket cover), publisher's red cloth, dust-jackets (light staining and toning mostly to 'The Return of the King'), 8vo, George Allen and Unwin, [1965-1966]; together with typed letter and newspaper cutting (5) Footnotes: 'A HONEYMOON COUPLE I KNOW SPENT LAST WEEK READING IT ALOUD TO EACH OTHER': these volumes were signed by the author for Jenny and Mike Bangs, the couple so described in the opening paragraph of John Ezard's interview with Tolkien, 'Writers Talking - 1: The Hobbit Man,' published in the Oxford Mail, 3 August 1966, p. 4 (the interview having taken place on 26 July 1966), a press cutting of which is included in the lot. Tolkien signed the books following the interview with Ezard. Also accompanying the volumes is a typed letter signed from Ezard to the Bangs, in which the journalist writes: 'Dear Mike and Jenny, So far eight people in the office have read that opening paragraph and assumed I was talking about the Kama Sutra'. Ezard was, of course, describing The Lord of the Rings. Provenance: Mike and Jenny Bangs, thence by descent. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: • • Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing