Epic Savings on J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth Collections for Prime Big Deal Days

Amazon`s early Prime Big Deal Days event is offering a wide selection of fantastic book deals, notably deep discounts on popular fantasy and sci-fi box sets. Among the most sought-after offers, many transport readers back to J.R.R. Tolkien`s Middle-earth. A highlight is the beloved 3-book hardcover box set of The Lord of the Rings, featuring iconic artwork by Alan Lee on its covers and a beautifully designed display box. Prime members can acquire this vintage collection for just $40.79, a significant reduction from its original $90 price and its lowest cost this year.

Beyond this vintage edition, readers can explore further exceptional deals on other Tolkien box sets, including The Complete History of Middle-earth, now available for $80.65 (originally $250). There are also affordable Collector`s Editions, such as The Hobbit for $11.33 and The Silmarillion for $12.26. As Prime Big Deal Days approach (October 7-8), anticipate even more compelling promotions on Tolkien`s works.

The 1988 hardcover box set of The Lord of the Rings stands out as a highly popular modern edition, providing an economical way to own copies featuring the exquisite cover and box art by Alan Lee. Lee, widely regarded as the premier artist for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, enchants with his stunning Middle-earth landscape paintings and maps. This box set features wrap-around artwork on its slipcase, mirroring the covers of The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. Each volume`s cover is intricately designed, resembling a framed painting with full-color illustrations and detailed patterns. These editions also include fold-out maps of Middle-earth from the Third Age and conclude with comprehensive appendices offering rich reference and background material. The collection`s muted color palette, classical typeface, and subtly faded yellow dust jackets impart an authentic vintage aesthetic. Despite being over 45 years old, these editions remain among the most beautiful available, a testament to their enduring appeal, which explains why they are still in print. The complete 1988 LOTR edition spans 1,214 pages across its three volumes. While individual hardcovers are available, purchasing the box set offers better value and includes the attractive display box.

While the 1988 editions are the most budget-friendly with Alan Lee`s cover art, other versions boast even more extensive illustrations by the artist. Last year, William Morrow released a remastered edition of the acclaimed 1992 Centenary Edition of The Lord of the Rings. This collector`s set, originally priced at $325, is now part of Amazon`s early Prime Big Deal Days, available for only $135.09 – a remarkable 58% discount. This three-volume set comes in a bespoke cloth board display box and includes over 50 new illustrations and drawings by Lee. The books themselves are presented in elegant cloth board cases with quarter leather binding.

Looking ahead, William Morrow plans to release a new four-book box set in October, priced at $139.50 (down from $150), also featuring Alan Lee`s illustrations. This particular edition is significant for including The Hobbit alongside The Lord of the Rings. Each of the four hardcover volumes will have wrap-around dust jacket illustrations. However, it`s worth noting that a similar UK edition, originally released in 2020, is currently available on Amazon for a considerably lower price.

The early Amazon sale also features discounts on last year`s more budget-friendly Lord of the Rings Collector`s Edition hardcovers. These editions, similar in physical size to the 1988 versions, offer a contemporary aesthetic with stained edges, foil-stamped cover art, maps on the interior covers, and convenient ribbon bookmarks. Complementary editions of The Hobbit and The Silmarillion are also part of this collection. All five of these hardcover editions, originally $35 each, are now priced at $15 or less. Specifically, The Hobbit is available for only $11.33, and The Silmarillion for just $12.26. While a box set containing the three Lord of the Rings volumes exists, purchasing individual books is currently more economical.

• The Hobbit Collector’s Edition – $11.33 ($35)
• The Silmarillion Collector’s Edition – $12.26 ($35)
• The Fellowship of the Ring Collector’s Edition – $14.92 ($35)
• The Two Towers Collector`s Edition – $12.83 ($35)
• The Return of the King Collector’s Edition – $15.07 ($35)
• The Lord of the Rings Collector`s Edition Box Set – $59.79 ($105)

Deals on The History of Middle-earth

The Amazon sale also features The Complete History of Middle-earth, an extensive 5,440-page box set encompassing all 12 volumes of The History of Middle-earth across three hardcover books. This $250 hardcover collection is now available for an unprecedented low price of just $80.65. Additionally, the upcoming 2024 series of The History of Middle-earth will feature 15 books distributed across four decorative box sets.

• The Complete History of Middle-earth – $80.65 ($250)
• The History of Middle-earth 2024 Editions
  • Box Set 1 (4 Books) – $54.85 ($125)
  • Box Set 2 (3 Books) – $55.57 ($100)
  • Box Set 3 (4 Books) – $43.03 ($125)
  • Box Set 4 (4 Books) – $55.24 ($125)

Over the summer, William Morrow expanded its Tolkien box set collection with two exquisite hardcover sets. The four-book box set, Tolkien Myths and Legends, features epic poems and classic myths either penned or translated by Tolkien. Released in June, this collection is now available for Prime Big Deal Days at just $51, a significant reduction from its $125 original price. Furthermore, the sixth set in this series, a new edition of The Great Tales of Middle-earth—a hardcover compilation of three posthumously published novels—launched in August and is currently discounted to $75 (from $125).

Additional J.R.R. Tolkien Book Deals

Other significant Tolkien book deals feature The Nature of Middle-earth, a compilation of the author`s final reflections on his fantastical world. Its hardcover edition is now only $12 (originally $32). The History of The Hobbit, a 992-page hardcover, reveals Tolkien`s complete unpublished draft of The Hobbit, along with his illustrations and notes, complemented by scholar John Rateliff`s commentary on its creation. This edition is discounted to $18.81 (from $55). For further insights, The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Revised and Expanded Edition, a 720-page hardcover, is available for $13.85 (down from $40). It contains hundreds of letters to his editors, publishers, family, friends, and admirers.

• The Nature of Middle-earth (hardcover) – $12 ($32)
• The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Revised & Expanded (hardcover) – $13.85 ($40)
• The History of the Hobbit (hardcover) – $18.81 ($55)
• The Silmarillion: Illustrated by Ted Nasmith (hardcover) – $20 ($45)
• The Maps of Middle-earth (hardcover) – $12.58 ($30)
• The Battle of Maldon (hardcover) – $14.90 ($30)
• The Fall of Numenor (paperback) – $9.76 ($22)
• Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit 4-Book Leatherette Set – $29.73 ($60)
• The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien: 3-Book Box Set – $61 ($125)