The Lord of the Rings

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

London: The Folio Society, [2022]. Limited Edition, number 735 out of 1000, signed by illustrator Alan Lee. 

Near-fine volumes, complete with maps and separate print, in like slipcase. A great production by the Folio Society with a few small signs of wear overall; a touch of wear to binding extremities, a few innocuous handling signs to the cloth covers, and light cocking on the spine of the first volume. The text blocks are clean with pages immaculate and tightly bound. The volumes are housed, alongside a fine case containing two maps and a fine print in a silver paper wallet, in a near-fine slipcase with a little shelf-wear to panels; no bumps, nor splits. In our opinion, the slipcase is rather insubstantial for the three massive volumes.

An excellent opportunity to acquire this rare set before the upcoming publication of Folio Society's limited edition of 'The Hobbit', illustrated by the wonderful Alan Lee, which is due to be released later this year.

This set will be shipped in the original Folio Society packaging with additional padding, so it minimises any rubbing and wear in transit.

About the production

305 × 204 × 42–53 mm. 3 vols (see below). Type: Dante with Testament for display. Printed in dark red and black by L.E.G.O. Bound by them in quarter dark red leather and dark blue cloth boards blocked in silver with an inset label (a different illustration for each volume). Silver top edges; printed endleaves. Dark red ribbon markers. Three-volume dark blue cloth slip case lined with printed paper and blocked in silver and gold (titled as above). The edition statement, printed letterpress by Hand and Eye, reads in part ‘limited to 1,000 copies, signed and numbered by Alan Lee, with 25 lettered copies hors de commerce’. Colour plates have been tipped within decorative borders. In addition to the plates, binding, endleaves, slip case and borders, Lee has provided chapter headings and roundels. Accompanied by two maps by Christopher Tolkien cased in full dark red cloth blocked with title design in silver and a colour print contained in a protective silver paper wallet with a roundel printed in dark red. 

The three volumes are as follows:

[1] J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, being the first part of The Lord of the Rings, illustrated by Alan Lee. Pp. [1–2], [i–vi] vii–lii, [1–6] 7–443 [444]: [19] leaves of colour plates. Includes a note on the text by Douglas A. Anderson followed by a note on the revised text by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull.

[2] J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers, being the second part of The Lord of the Rings, illustrated by Alan Lee. Pp. [1–2], [i–iv] v–x, [1–6] 7–377 [378]: [17] leaves of colour plates.

[3] J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King, being the third part of The Lord of the Rings, illustrated by Alan Lee. Pp. [1–2], [i–iv] v–xii, [1–6] 7–489 [490–496]: [17] leaves of colour plates. Concludes with six appendices plus an index compiled by Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond.