I’ve written before about the pivotal effect on me of visiting the local library at a young age; it was a place that opened the door to books we could never afford at home, and I still have memories of my father taking me there to borrow another treasure. One early book that became a favourite was Dr. Seuss’s “I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew”, and that came from the library when it was in its old location in our town – down near the river in an old, dark building.
The library later moved to a new shiny building in the 1960s style modern precinct built in the middle of town. Inside was all bright and new, and I still made use of it all the time (and kept doing so until I finally moved away from home for good). And it was with books borrowed from this library that I was able to really expand the breadth of my reading and move onto more adult titles in my early teens.
One set of books I read and loved was Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Some friends of the family had seen me reading the Narnia books and suggested I would like “The Hobbit”. They then sent us a copy and both my dad and I devoured it (he was quite a reader and a fan of sci-fi and fantasy). The natural progression was to “The Lord of the Rings” and so we borrowed this from the library – lovely hardback editions in blue-grey (laminated on) dust jackets with gorgeous big fold out maps in the back. We were both transfixed by the books, and I’ve returned to them many, many times over the years, owning my own paperback copies.
However, it’s a while since I read the trilogy, and I developed a hankering recently to revisit it. And I decided I’d like to re-read the books in the format I originally did – hardbacks with a fold out map. A little research online revealed that these were the second edition books from the 1960s and getting hold of a set in decent condition would be very, very pricey, so I put the idea on the back burner – until I recently stumbled upon these…
Yes, they’re very, very battered, and yes there are bits of the dust jackets missing – but this is a sound enough set of the second edition books in readable condition and so I’ll be able to read the books again as I did first time with my dad. And joy of joys, there are lovely intact maps in the back in super condition!
The set was ridiculously cheap and despite the rather bedraggled state of them, I’m happy to have them in the house ready for a summer revisit. OH has kindly covered the books with a mylar-type plastic to keep what’s left of the jackets together and make it easier for me to read. So summer will see a sentimental trip into my past – I’m looking forward to it! 🙂
Karen K.
May 12, 2017 @ 07:17:22
The editions you loved as a child are always the best! I’m sad that they keep updating editions of my childhood favorites — I know people love Quentin Blake’s illustrations of Roald Dahl but I love the originals, especially Danny the Champion of the World. And don’t get me started on the Ramona updates.
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 12, 2017 @ 09:30:19
I’m the same – I prefer the originals and when it’s translated literature I tend to favour the version I read first. I think our early reading is very embedded in our psyche!
JacquiWine
May 12, 2017 @ 07:38:10
That’s a beautiful map. No wonder you’re pleased with those editions. Enjoy!
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 12, 2017 @ 09:29:13
It’s lovely, isn’t it? I have a fondness for maps anyway and these added so much to the pleasure of reading the books!
Tina
May 12, 2017 @ 07:39:15
I remember when libraries only had hardback editions and no paperbacks.And i remember these Tolkein from the 1970s.
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 12, 2017 @ 09:28:49
Yes, it was the 1970s when I was reading them – I guess they were common in libraries at the time!
Lisa Hill
May 12, 2017 @ 09:10:03
*snap* I’ve got that edition of The Hobbit too, and those hardback covers look familiar to me as well. Maybe my library had the same editions?
What I have now is *disdainful sniff* a paltry set of paperbacks. No map and (of course) falling to bits from re-reading.
So maybe I should look out for a nice set of hardbacks as well, maybe I will be lucky too:)
PS Lovely to hear about reading these with your dad. Just lovely.
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 12, 2017 @ 09:27:13
I have a paltry set of paperbacks too, which served me well over the years, but I think re-reading these will be a special experience. Both of my parents were readers, but my dad and I shared taste in books a bit more than I do with my mum!
Jonathan
May 12, 2017 @ 09:56:56
I still have my original copies of The Hobbit & LotR. My copy of LotR had a still from the 1970s film. Every now and then I think of re-reading them….one day.
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 12, 2017 @ 10:46:39
There are *so* many books it would be good to re-read, aren’t there??
heavenali
May 12, 2017 @ 10:53:26
What wonderful finds. You will enjoy revisiting the books all the more because of your memories of reading those editions. I love the little fold out maps.
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 12, 2017 @ 11:00:03
They’re lovely, aren’t they? I’m hoping the re-read will be very special!
elisabethm
May 12, 2017 @ 12:12:03
Oh I loved the library too when I was little, I rented the maximum of 7 books per week every week. On Wednesday afternoons there was a children’s club that was also lots of fun. Happy memories 😊
Tina
May 12, 2017 @ 15:03:38
Adult library tickets were beige and children’s were dark blue.They were kept in wooden trays and had to be matched up to the cards inside the hard back books.I sound Victorian but this was the 1970s.
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 12, 2017 @ 15:09:06
I remember it well… 🙂
elisabethm
May 12, 2017 @ 18:52:50
I’m from ’69, in Holland we had cards that got stamped with a date inside the books.
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 12, 2017 @ 18:55:25
We had a little card pocket inside that held another card with the book title and details. This was taken out and put in your own library card pocket which the library kept, and they stamped a sheet stuck inside the book with the return date. Happy times! 🙂
elisabethm
May 12, 2017 @ 20:01:46
Definitely!
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 12, 2017 @ 15:28:19
The library was definitely my happy place when I was a child – such wonderful memories indeed.
elisabethm
May 12, 2017 @ 18:49:57
We have that in common!
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 12, 2017 @ 18:51:39
:))))
Hayley at RatherTooFondofBooks
May 12, 2017 @ 12:19:46
How wonderful to find the same editions you originally had, and to find the maps are still there and intact. I’m sure it will make re-reading the books even more special.
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 12, 2017 @ 15:20:37
I think so – it’s a long time since I read these, but they were such an important part of my growing up that I’m really looking forward to the revisit!
travellinpenguin
May 12, 2017 @ 12:33:16
What a wonderful post. So happy you found these. Let us know when you revisit them and if the experience is what you think it will be. 🐐🐐🐐
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 12, 2017 @ 15:19:03
Thank you! I will indeed – I’m hoping for a re-read over the summer!
madamebibilophile
May 12, 2017 @ 12:57:44
Lovely post! I’m ridiculously devoted to the editions I first read books in. At the time of reading I feel I barely notice, but then a re-read in a different edition never feels quite right. Those editions are wonderful, it’s great to find them with the maps intact 🙂
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 12, 2017 @ 15:18:39
I’m the same – I look at them on the shelves and however old and crumbly they are, I still love them. And yes – those maps were the thing I wanted!!
Liz Dexter
May 12, 2017 @ 13:04:34
Oh lovely, and with the maps! Now I’m hankering after a re-read myself (I have the three paperbacks).
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 12, 2017 @ 15:10:51
Definitely one that deserves a revisit – and yes, the maps are gorgeous!
Liz Dexter
May 13, 2017 @ 09:06:31
Give me a nudge when you start it …
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 13, 2017 @ 09:08:53
I will… 😉
Joan Kyler
May 12, 2017 @ 13:59:25
Those childhood books are the best. A couple of years ago I found copies of Margaret Wise Brown’s The Golden Egg Book and Wait Till the Moon is Full. I have a fine paperback set of The Lord of the Rings, but I confess I’ve never read them. I read The Hobbit in the 1960s.
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 12, 2017 @ 15:10:27
They are – such memories are attached to them. I love The Lord of the Rings though it’s many years since I read the books – I suspect I shall know it well, however!
MarinaSofia
May 12, 2017 @ 14:37:21
That is the edition I read The Lord of the Rings in. My friend who lived next door had them – or her parents did – and I worked my way through them with passion. I have them in a paperback single volume now, which is how my children read them, but the writing is too small and the maps are too small.
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 12, 2017 @ 15:09:42
I have the same issue with a lot of my older books – the type is so small and my eyes are not what they were… :s
winstonsdad
May 12, 2017 @ 17:29:25
I read those lord of the rings from library at school my hobbit was a new paperback at Time I read if nice finds
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 12, 2017 @ 18:36:09
They are! I was quite excited to get them!
Sarah
May 12, 2017 @ 17:57:50
How wonderful! There’s something so powerfully evocative about holding in your hands the same editions of well-loved books you read in your youth. I hope you enjoy revisiting!
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 12, 2017 @ 18:35:45
There is – particularly when it was such a memorable one. I’m looking forward to the revisit!
Resh Susan @ The Book Satchel
May 13, 2017 @ 05:30:39
Those editions that you have loved in childhood are the best, aren’t they? And this post reminds me that I should pick up my LoTR books. I have watched the movies and the husband gifted me a set long long back. I need to read Book 2 and 3.
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 13, 2017 @ 09:09:26
They are. And it’s far too long since I read The Lord of the Rings!
Naomi
May 13, 2017 @ 18:17:15
What a great find! I also love The Lord of the Rings. I don’t read a lot of sci-fi or fantasy, but there’s something about them…
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 13, 2017 @ 20:17:47
They’re very special – more of a sweeping epic and sort of in a genre of their own. So looking forward to a re-read….
Annabel (gaskella)
May 14, 2017 @ 12:56:20
I’ve just done a book nostalgia post too! I loved the library and I love LOTR – but having done my fourth reading in 2010, I’m not ready for another one quite yet. Lovely to have those old editions though – I’m jealous of the maps. 🙂
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 14, 2017 @ 17:27:39
Yes, that’s probably a bit recent – I’m going back to the early 1980s for my last read I think, so I imagine this could be quite a voyage of discovery.And yes, the maps are beautiful!
Lucy
May 17, 2017 @ 08:33:21
I love the old Tolkien, it looks beautiful 🙂 There’s a shade of how I feel about rescue pets in old books, it’s nice to see them go to a good home where they’ll be cared for. That’s what I tell myself when I bring home tatty or old books I don’t really need, and often have newer edition of 😉
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 17, 2017 @ 09:25:05
I tend to agree – I’m happy to rehome a lost or unloved book, which is not so good for the state of the house….
Kat
May 19, 2017 @ 19:10:41
Lovely covers for The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings! One day I’ll revisit Tokien, too.
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 19, 2017 @ 22:22:43
I’m looking forward to it, I must say!
anna amundsen
Aug 09, 2017 @ 08:17:16
Just the other day my sister announced that she bought me a book. And, surprise!, it was the exact same edition of The Hobbit as this one. 🙂 It’s in pretty good condition, too.
I love the old Lord of the Rings trilogy books that you have – the map is gorgeously exciting!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Aug 09, 2017 @ 09:50:54
How wonderful! That Hobbit certainly has a place in my heart and I’m looking forward to the Lord of the the Rings so much!
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