TOLKIEN (J.R.R.) The Hobbit, third edition, fifth impression, AUTHOR'S PRESENTATION COPY, inscribed on half-title 'signed for Michael Dobson / J.R.R. Tolkien', and with further inscription from Dobson's aunt and uncle at foot of page dated 1971, 12 illustrations, advertisement leaf at end, publisher's green cloth (slight soiling to upper cover and offsetting to spine, some browning to endpapers), dust-jacket (price-clipped, tape stains on upper flap, edges a little frayed), 8vo, George Allen and Unwin, 1970 Footnotes: A BIRTHDAY PRESENT FOR THE NEPHEW OF A NEIGHBOUR, INSCRIBED BY TOLKIEN DURING HIS FINAL YEARS. Like the three volumes in the following lot, the present copy of The Hobbit was inscribed by Tolkien as a favour for his neighbours, with whom the author was on friendly terms during the years he spent living in Poole. Having purchased the books as a birthday present for their nephew, Michael Dobson, they asked Tolkien to sign them for him, and he graciously agreed. Tolkien and his wife Edith had moved to Branksome, Poole in 1968, to escape the intrusions caused by his growing fame in Oxford following his retirement. They lived there until Edith's death in November 1971, after which Tolkien moved back to Oxford in March 1972. Provenance: Michael Dobson, gift inscription on half-title 'From Auntie Win and Uncle Bert, 1971', and thence by descent to the present owner. 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