Tolkien, J.R.R. (2002-03) ‘The Lord of the Rings’, ‘The Hobbit’, and ‘The Silmarillion’, UK limited edition published by the Folio Society – complete same number set

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (2002-03) ‘The Hobbit‘, ‘The Lord of the Rings‘, and ‘The Silmarillion‘, UK limited editions, all published by the Folio Society. A rare same number set limited to 1,750 copies each of which this is no 551. Undoubtedly the most beautiful official limited edition published to date.

Condition: a fine and unread set with undisturbed silk ribbon markers. A little shelf wear to the outer cases possible but nothing major.

Production details: LOTR in three volumes, housed in a leather slipcase with scalloped edges and elaborately decorated and lettered in gilt. Hand-woven indian silk sides over boards; moroccan wassa goatskin quarter bound spines, lettered in gilt; gilt top page blocks; silk ribbons. Same production materials used for The Hobbit and Silmarillion.

Rare as a same number set. Most subscribers to the series did not pick up The Silmarillion resulting in scattered individual volumes or non-same number set on the market.

In the UK nowadays Harper Collins owns the rights to Tolkien’s work and they have not shown any interest in publishing lavishly produced  books of the beloved fantasy stories. The Folio Society had aquired rights to Tolkien back in the 1970s and were therefore able to publish the beautifully illustrated editions in leather as a limited edition in the early 2000s when interest soared due to Peter Jackson’s film adaptations.