A very intriguing first edition, first impression set of The Lord of the Rings. This particular set was previously owned by Margaret Bennet-Clark (who later changed her name back to Carey, which one presumes is her maiden name), who worked in a senior role at the British Museum, a stone’s throw from the publishers of The Lord of the Rings, Allen & Unwin.

Now, each book in her set has her very neat name alongside a month and year inscribed (The Two Towers has a date as well). The month and year in each book tallies with the month and year that each book was published in the series. Now one can very healthily presume that Bennet-Clark inscribed these as and when she bought them. It would be highly unusual and unlikely to, later, add one’s name and then randomly the month in which the book was published (least of all as the inscription to the two towers gives a date 22,11,1954 which is just under two weeks after the first edition was published) when the books obviously already feature this. One can then presume that Bennet-Clark inscribed each as she bought them, which would mean this set has remained together since day one which is shockingly rare.

With first edition sets of The Lord of the Rings, most examples have been cobbled together over the past seventy years, long after publication, with collectors swapping in and out different books, usually as they look to build up the best condition possible for their set. There are pretty much no sets that can be said to have been together since day one. With LOTR, as they were published one after the other over a 15-month period, and in different numbers, there were no more than 3,000 sets in first impression available by the end and we can expect 70 years later many have been lost to the sands of time, so the number now will be significantly lower. Collectible copies, as seen here, are seriously rare. Copies that are collectible that can be said with near certainly to have been together since day one are as rare as the one ring!

Given the proximity of Allen & Unwin’s then office, being at 40 Museum Street, to the British Museum (a minutes’ walk at most) and given that they had their own bookshop with a window display, it is not unreasonable to assume that Bennet-Clark bought each direct from Allen & Unwin. Given all the information we have available, this theory is looking to be almost a certainty and seriously elevates this already stunning set.

Further to that, this is easily one of the greatest sets that I have encountered in my career thus far. An incredibly rare find, it's a joy to have for sale. Each jacket has also retained the very soft off grey/green when first published. So many believe them to be white which they aren’t interestingly! Many went white over the years.

NOTE: This item is NOT Available for Layaway.

First Edition The Lord Of The Rings | 1954-55

Presenting an extraordinary first edition, first impression of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling, one of the rarest and most coveted copies in the world of book collecting. Released on 26 June 1997, this paperback edition is part of the original print run of only 5,150 copies, making it a true collector’s gem.
This edition features all the distinctive first impression points: the number line from 10 down to 1, the repeated "1 wand" on page 53 in the list of equipment, and the well-known misprint of "Philospher’s" on the back cover. These attributes confirm the authenticity and rarity of this sought-after copy.
Housed in a custom red clamshell case for protection, this book is not only a centerpiece for any Harry Potter collection but also a sound investment in literary history. Its significance is further amplified by the fact that most original copies were intended for children, meaning finding one in this excellent condition is exceedingly rare. With its place in pop culture and literary fame, this first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is a timeless treasure for any serious collector.

NOTE: This item is NOT Available for Layaway.

First Edition Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone 

A fine leaf from the Gutenberg Bible, the first Western book printed with moveable type, being the end of Chapter 45 through the beginning of Chapter 48 of Isaiah.

The best example on the market and the best a collector could hope for. Finely framed to the highest museum grade standard.

Printed between 1450 - 1455, The Gutenberg Bible is a landmark in the history of mankind and propelled us into the early modern era and the Renaissance. The creation of the printing press by Gutenberg and subsequently the printing of his bible (the first printed Western book) is akin to the creation of the internet, the moon landings, the invention of the wheel and more. It is one of the most important moments in our shared history. A few years after the invention of Gutenberg's press and his Bible, there were millions of books circulating the globe. This is undoubtedly one of the rarest items Treasure has encountered thus far.

Only 49 complete bibles are known to exist and these are with museums and institutions. In the 20s a famous rare book dealer, Gabriel Wells, split an incomplete copy and sold the leaves of which there were 568. 466 have been found and this is one of those. The others are still wandering yet to surface! Alongside the leaves, Wells sold a book called a Noble Fragment which is rare in itself and we have the book alongside this. All the leaves from Wells' splitting of his bible are called Noble Fragments. Currently only two others are available anywhere in the world. This is the finest example of those and indeed the finest to surface so far.

Each collector who bought each of the 180 bibles printed by Gutenberg, illuminated them in whatever way they wanted, thus making each bible unique and each leaf unique.

NOTE: This item is NOT Available for Layaway.


Price: $113,930.00

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Price: $26,808.00

Ends In 11d 1h

Price: $147,349.00

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