First edition, signed by Pauline Baynes. Octavo. Publisher’s pictorial paper covered boards, with a full-colour wraparound design illustrated by Pauline Baynes, in the original dustwrapper of the same design. Signed by Pauline Baynes to the title page. A near fine copy, some spotting endpapers, in a bright, near fine dustwrapper. Ownership inscription to front free endpaper. 
 
The final book set in Middle-Earth to be published in Tolkien’s lifetime, signed by its illustrator Pauline Baynes.
 
Tom Bombadil first surfaced in a 1934 poem Tolkien published in the Oxford magazine, and in 1937 Tolkien suggested that this character could be the hero of a sequel to The Hobbit. 
 
This didn’t come to fruition, but in the 1960s Tolkien’s aunt Jane Neave suggested he should produce a gift book about Tom Bombadil that people could buy for Christmas presents.
 
Tolkien and his publisher collected poems about Tom, and other poems from Middle-earth into the present volume.
 
Pauline Baynes, who had already worked with Tolkien on Farmer Giles Of Ham, was chosen as illustrator. First editions signed by her are quite uncommon.