You know someone who has a 1938 edition of "The Hobbit"

Not only do I have a 1938 edition

of The Hobbit ...

. . . I got it at a yard sale!

Honestly.

The following info was on the internet

five years ago.  Haven't checked recently,

but mine is not for sale.

Below are all the illustrations from

the 1938 edition, the first American

edition.  Interestingly, the American

edition featured illustrations by the

author himself, including four color

plates.  My favorites are the eagles and

of course, Smaug, the dragon.

I have read that Tolkien had a

strong preference for the red-gold

dragon as opposed to the green dragons

of ancient lore.  

Though I don't especially love

Tolkien's artistic style, I am thrilled

to have one of only 5,000 copies

from that first printing.