The Lord of the Rings J. R. R. Tolkien 9780008669430

Three-volume, deluxe slipcased hardback set of The Lord of the Rings, illustrated throughout by acclaimed Tolkien artist, Alan Lee. Features exclusive new paintings and dozens of pencil drawings appearing for the very first time, together with three removable art cards and two foldout maps.

Since it was first published, The Lord of the Rings has been a book people have treasured. Steeped in unrivalled magic and otherworldliness, this work of sweeping fantasy has touched the hearts of young and old alike. Across its many editions, in the region of 100 million copies have been sold around the world. And no edition has proved more popular than the Centenary edition illustrated by award-winning artist, Alan Lee.

Now, for the first time since its publication in 1992, this illustrated edition has been revised and expanded, with a number of brand-new paintings and more than 50 illustrations added by the artist.

Readers will be able to follow the complete story of the Hobbits and their part in the quest of the Ring - beginning with Bilbo's Long-expected Party and culminating in the dramatic climax between Frodo and Gollum atop Mount Doom - while also enjoying more than fifty full-page colour paintings and numerous illustrations which accompany this epic tale.

This new hardback set of this beautifully illustrated work has been bound in cloth and leather and features brand-new cover designs by the artist. The three volumes have additionally been enhanced for the first time with sprayed edges, and are housed in a custom-built, illustrated slipcase stamped in silver foil with designs created exclusively by Alan Lee. They are accompanied by three removable art cards, and two foldout maps of Middle-earth drawn by Christopher Tolkien.

J.R.R.Tolkien (1892-1973) was a distinguished academic, though he is best known for writing The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, plus other stories and essays. His books have been translated into over 80 languages and have sold many millions of copies worldwide.

'Extraordinarily imaginative, and wholly exciting'
The Times

'Masterpiece? Oh yes'
Evening Standard

'An astonishing imaginative tour de force'
Daily Telegraph