The special collector’s version of The Lord of the Rings: Illustrated Edition is a drop-dead gorgeous hardcover edition of J.R.R. Tolkien’s seminal work. It contains full-color illustrations by Tolkien himself, and it comes with a number of high-quality extras. And while the MSRP is a hefty $250, Amazon currently has it on sale for over half off. It even ships in time for Christmas, in case you want to buy it as a gift for someone on your list (ahem or yourself).
The Lord of the Rings: Special Edition
The Lord of the Rings: Special Edition - Contents
The special edition of The Lord of the Rings: Illustrated Edition is a single-volume hardbound book that comes in an eye-catching, intricately etched slipcase. It features a striking red-and-black design that’s meant to evoke the novel's first edition.
The book itself is 1,248 pages, and includes the entire fantasy epic and appendices. The text is “corrected and reset,” and printed in red and black ink. Interspersed throughout the tome are 30 illustrations hand-drawn by Tolkien himself. These include maps, color illustrations, and sketches. Also included in the package are two fold-out maps of Middle-earth drawn by Christopher Tolkien.
The Lord of the Rings: Illustrated Edition
Let’s say, hypothetically, that you’re not super jazzed about dropping that kind of cash on a book, beautifully made though it may be. You have an alternative: you can buy the non-special edition for considerably less. Amazon has it on sale for $32.70 when you clip the coupon on the page. It has all the same illustrations, but lacks the sharp design, slipcover, and maps. Still a fine verision, though.
The Silmarillion: Illustrated Edition
The Tolkien estate is not done yet, my friends. A brand-new illustrated edition of The Silmarillion has just hit the shelves. It’s a hardcover version of Tolkien's posthumously published collection of Middle-earth history. It’s 432 pages long, printed in red and black text, and like the LotR special edition, it includes illustrations by J.R.R. Tolkien. Also included are two fold-out maps. This volume retails for $65, but Amazon currently has it on sale for $33.
Additionally, fans of The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power can learn more about the Second Age in the new collection of Tolkien's writings on the subject, The Fall of Numenor.
Chris Reed is a deals expert and commerce editor for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @_chrislreed.