8vo.; 3 volumes; each bound in publisher’s red cloth lettered and decorated in gilt to spines, top edges stained red, as issued, in matching decorated dustwrappers printed in gilt red and black, each lettered red and black to spine, in publisher’s grey card slipcase with full-size printed title label to one side; pp. [vii], 8-423 + [i]; [viii], 9-352; [vi], 11-416; each book with a large folding 8-section map printed in black and red on good quality stock tipped in to rear; a lovely set in the case; books near fine with spine ends gently rubbed with tiny 2mm bump to forecorners of upper cover of Part II and another small knock (8mm) to top forecorner of upper cover of Part III, a little shelf rubbing to bottom edges and minute rubbing to tips; internally remarkably clean and crisp throughout with the same neat, and small, contemporary ownership inscription in ink to front free endpaper of each volume, dated 1966; the original jackets all remaining unclipped (25s; 25s; 25s) with overall light dusting, a touch of toning to panels, and some uniform light tanning to spines, one tiny closed tear (8mm) with associated horizontal crease to bottom margin of lower panel of “The Two Towers” and one tiny triangular chip (4 x 3mm) to the jacket at one heel; the scarce slipcase sound and robust with a darker stain to the bottom edge (which does not intrude), soiling, rubbing and dusting, with a pale brown splash mark to side label and a bruise to one corner; a very good example of this elusive and integral part of the set. First editions, being the fourteenth, eleventh and eleventh impressions respectively. The bibliographical history of the individual slipcases which were fabricated to accompany this set is the subject of scholarly study, is very complex, and incomplete. Beginning in 1957 the Allen & Unwin edition was sold both as a three-volume edition and as a boxed set. There were various states of the slipcase produced over many years, with the first and second states including a printed price to the paper label. Construction of the slipcases, and their composition, also altered over time. This slipcase is in the fifth state which in all cases is slightly too tall for the books. The earliest example of a fifth state slipcase includes a ninth impression of “The Fellowship of the Ring”, a 7th impression of “The Two Towers” and a 6th impression of “The Return of the King”, other examples house copies of the 10th/7th and 7th impressions respectively, with other variations. Allen & Unwin wrote to state that they were ceasing production of the slipcases in 1964, the year prior to the publication of this set. It is entirely possible that an early owner, or bookseller, paired a lost slipcase with this trio, which appears to have been together as a entity for a long while, showing sympathetic handling marks and sunning.