In anticipation of Amazon`s Prime Big Deal Days (October 7-8), Prime members can find incredible savings of up to 60% on all three luxurious Tolkien Illustrated Deluxe Editions. These magnificent slipcased editions of “The Hobbit,” “The Silmarillion,” and “The Lord of the Rings” feature original drawings, paintings, sketches, and maps by the author himself. The Special Editions boast high-end craftsmanship, including cloth board covers quarter-bound in leather, custom slipcases, and unique collectible inserts. “The Hobbit Deluxe Illustrated: Special Edition” is available for $79 (originally $195), “The Silmarillion” for $80 (originally $195), and “The Lord of the Rings” for $111.56 (originally $250).
Beyond the Deluxe versions, standard hardcover illustrated editions are also available at significantly lower prices. For instance, the standard illustrated edition of “The Hobbit” is currently $30.39 (down from $75) as part of a Prime Big Deal Days promotion.
Also noteworthy is the stunning 2024 “Lord of the Rings” box set, beautifully illustrated by Alan Lee, which is offered at an all-time low price.
Detailed Look at the Deluxe Illustrated Special Editions
The Hobbit Deluxe Illustrated: Special Edition
This special Deluxe Edition of “The Hobbit” boasts numerous unique features not found in the standard version. The 384-page book showcases a redesigned, premium binding with cloth board and quarter-bound ribbed green leather. It comes with an exclusive cloth-bound slipcase and cover, both adorned with foil-stamped logos and text. Unlike the standard edition`s blue stained page edges, this Deluxe version features luxurious gold edges. A built-in ribbon bookmark is also included.
This edition includes unique bonuses: two fold-out, poster-sized maps (Thror`s Map and the Wilderland), an 88-page illustrated booklet, and an art card reproduction of the painting Tolkien created for the original “Hobbit” dust jacket. Both illustrated versions of “The Hobbit” feature 50 sketches, paintings, and other artwork created by Tolkien.
The Silmarillion Deluxe Illustrated: Special Edition
The Deluxe Special Edition of “The Silmarillion” is priced similarly to “The Hobbit” Deluxe. This 448-page edition includes 50 illustrations, paintings, and sketches by J.R.R. Tolkien. The more premium Deluxe version features a ribbed spine quarter-bound in blue leather and a cloth board cover. Its custom cloth-bound slipcase and cover are enhanced with foil-stamped symbols and Elvish script. The book has silver page edges, text printed in two colors, and a convenient ribbon bookmark.
Inside the slipcase, you`ll find a Taniquetil art card and a pair of poster-sized maps of Beleriand: one depicting an earlier version of the region, and another showing a more fully realized setting. In addition to the maps and art card, an illustrated booklet detailing the creation of “The Silmarillion,” as narrated by Christopher Tolkien, is included.
The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated: Special Edition
The Deluxe Illustrated Special Edition of “The Lord of the Rings” is almost always the most expensive, but it is a significantly larger volume, collecting all three parts of Tolkien`s masterpiece: “The Fellowship of the Ring,” “The Two Towers,” and “The Return of the King.” It is currently discounted by 55%, bringing its price down to $111.56 (originally $250).
This 1,248-page edition, first released in 2022, set the standard for the unique features found in the other Deluxe editions. It includes two fold-out maps of Middle-earth created by Christopher Tolkien, a quarter-bound red leather spine with a cloth board cover, a cloth-bound slipcase, and foil-stamped images and text on both the cover and slipcase. Additional inserts, such as Thorin`s letter to Bilbo in Elvish, are also part of this set.
The pages of this Deluxe Special Edition have gold edges (the standard edition has red) and feature 30 full-color illustrations by J.R.R. Tolkien throughout the text. Like the standard edition, this version includes a ribbon bookmark and the complete original text, including the extensive appendices.
The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Box Set (Illustrated by Alan Lee)
For fans of “The Lord of the Rings,” another ultra-premium option for illustrated editions of “The Fellowship of the Ring,” “The Two Towers,” and “The Return of the King” is available. Last year saw the release of a remastered version of the beloved 1992 hardcover edition. This box set features illustrations by the fan-favorite artist Alan Lee, including over 50 brand-new pencil sketches and full-color paintings. You will also receive three art cards and two fold-out maps drawn by Christopher Tolkien.
Similar to the Tolkien Illustrated Deluxe Editions, these books are quarter-bound in leather and cloth. The cloth board slipcase and covers are adorned with silver foil-stamped symbols and text. The billowing smoke from Mount Doom is illustrated inside the display box and on the side page edges, while the top and bottom page edges are stained dark blue.
This “Lord of the Rings” edition comprises 1,332 pages, all sewn into the spine, and each volume includes a ribbon bookmark.
Other J.R.R. Tolkien Book Deals for Prime Big Deal Days
Standard Tolkien Illustrated Editions:
- The Hobbit Illustrated Edition: $30.39
- The Silmarillion Illustrated Edition: $39.78
- The Lord of the Rings Illustrated Edition: $47.49
Tolkien Illustrated Deluxe Special Editions:
- The Hobbit Deluxe Illustrated: Special Edition: $78.93
- The Silmarillion Deluxe Illustrated: Special Edition: $79.88
- The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated: Special Edition: $111.56
The Lord of the Rings Collector`s Editions (2024):
- The Hobbit Collector’s Edition: $11.33
- The Silmarillion Collector’s Edition: $12.26
- The Fellowship of the Ring Collector’s Edition: $14.17
- The Two Towers Collector`s Edition: $12.18
- The Return of the King Collector’s Edition: $15.07
- The Lord of the Rings Collector`s Edition Box Set: $59.79
The History of Middle-earth Series:
- The Complete History of Middle-earth: $80.65
- Box Set 1 (4 Books): $54.85
- Box Set 2 (3 Books): $55.57
- Box Set 3 (4 Books): $43.03
- Box Set 4 (4 Books): $55.24
Other Tolkien Box Set Deals:
- The Lord of the Rings Hardcover Box Set (1988): $38.75
- Tolkien Myths and Legends Box Set (4 Books): $51
- The Great Tales of Middle-earth Box Set (3 Books): $75
- Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit 4-Book Leatherette Set: $29.73
- The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien: 3-Book Box Set: $61