THE ROAD GOES EVER ON: SONGS BY TOLKIEN

TOLKIEN, J.R.R. The Road Goes Ever On: A Song Cycle. Poems by J.R.R. Tolkien. Music by Donald Swann. With decorations by J.R.R. Tolkien and Samuel Hanks Bryant. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1967. Quarto, original publisher's gilt-stamped orange cloth, original dust jacket. $750.

First edition (preceding the British issue) of these song-settings from The Lord of the Rings.

Early in 1965 the composer and pianist Donald Swann—best known for his comic songs with Michael Flanders, with whom he performed the revue At the Drop of a Hat—set to music several of the poems in The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien approved the settings for performance and publication, and the collection, embellished with elvish script and decorations, was published by Houghton Mifflin in 1967. Includes a facsimile reproduction of Tolkien's original manuscript for "Namárië." Hammond & Anderson B28a. Gift inscription.

Book fine, dust jacket very good with one short closed tear, shallow chipping to spine ends and corners, mild toning to spine. Overall a near-fine copy.