The Lord Of the Rings
by Tolkien, J R R
First Edition Identification
Other Collectible or Notable Editions
Originally Tolkien did not want The Lord of the Rings series to be published in paperback. Ace books reached out to Tolkien but was dismissed. Offended and persistent, Ace found a loophole in the copyright laws, and in 1965, they released their pirated versions of the series, which sold 100,000 copies. Motivated by the piracy of his books, Tolkien got to work on revising the series for American paperback, and in 1966 Ballantine released an edited and authorized version. After a lot of rejection by fans and some negotiation with Tolkien, Ace discontinued printing their pirated copies. Today those shortly-famous paperbacks are collector items (and the reason books bear the ‘authorized editions’ tag.
The Easton Press released a three-volume set of The Lord of the Rings in full gilt-embossed Sherwood-green calf with a frontispiece by Michael Hague in 1984.
The first Folio Society edition of The Lord of the Rings was published in 1977 with illustrations by Ingahild Grathmer, the pseudonym for Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. The illustrations were re-drawn by Eric Fraser for this edition. It has since been released multiple times, including in 1979, 1990, 1997, 2002, and 2022.
Reviews
Review this book!
This is one of the most engaging, enjoyable, and creative books I have ever read. The way Tolkien creates a new world from scratch, new languages, new races. It is a work of art. And the fact that this book can be enjoyed by young children and adults alike makes it stand out among the works of fiction that fill our libraries these days. I would recommend these books to anyone who has not already read them.
Available Copies
The Lord of the Rings
by J R R Tolkien
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 1961
- Binding
- Cloth
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
BATH, Somerset, GBR
- Item Price
-
£1,100.00
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The Lord of the Rings (Folio Limited Edition with signed print)
by J. R. R. Tolkien
- Condition
- New
- Jacket Condition
- No Jacket
- Edition
- 1st Edition 1st Printing
- Published
- 2022
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
St Albans, Hertfordshire, GBR
- Item Price
-
£5,000.00
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The Lord of the Rings (3 Volumes)
by Tolkien, J.R.R. (Also known as )
- Condition
- Used
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN
- Item Price
-
£426.77
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The Lord of the Rings [7 Book Box set]
by Tolkien, J. R. R
- Condition
- Used - Near fine
- Edition
- First edition-2nd printing of this seven-volume edition
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780007124015
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Southampton, Hampshire, GBR
- Item Price
-
£49.00
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The Lord of the Rings [ Sealed 5 Volume Set ]
by J. R. R. Tolkien
- Condition
- Book volume in As New/Fine+ condition and still encased in publisher's original issue cellophane
- Jacket Condition
- No dust jacket issued
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
SANDY, Oregon, USA
- Item Price
-
£666.58
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The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring ; The Two Towers ; The Return of the King. 3 Volumes
by Tolkien, J. R. R.
- Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Edition
- 5th Impression
- Published
- 1956
- Binding
- Full Morocco
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
London, Greater London, GBR
- Item Price
-
£2,500.00
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The Lord of the Rings : One Volume Edition with the Index and Appendices
by Tolkien, J. R. R.
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good
- Published
- 1988
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780044403050
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Spokane Valley, Washington, USA
- Item Price
-
£121.53
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The Lord of the Rings
by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Condition
- Used
- Edition
- First 3-volume color plate edition
- Published
- 1992
- Binding
- Navy cloth decoratively stamped in silver
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
New York, New York, USA
- Item Price
-
£690.96
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The Lord of the Rings: Illustrated Deluxe Edition
by Tolkien, J.R.R.
- Condition
- As new
- Jacket Condition
- as new
- Published
- 2022
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780063274730
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Carrollton, Georgia, USA
- Item Price
-
£182.90
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The Lord of the Rings (Omnibus Edition)
by Tolkien, J.R.R. (Jacket art by Donato Giancola)
- Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Near Fine
- Edition
- Book Club Edition
- Published
- 1994
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780739408254
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Kellerberrin, Western Australia, AUS
- Item Price
-
£81.29
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The Lord of the Rings; The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King
by TOLKIEN J R R
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Jacket Condition
- No Jacket
- Edition
- First Edition
- Published
- 1974
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780048231123
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Christchurch, Auckland, NZL
- Item Price
-
£16.80
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The Lord of the Rings
by Tolkien, J. R. R.
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Edition
- 1ST
- Published
- 2021
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780008471293
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
CARSON CITY, Nevada, USA
- Item Price
-
£569.03
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The Lord of the Rings (3 Books)
by Tolkien John Ronald Reuel
- Condition
- Used - Acceptable
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780261102385
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
-
£11.50
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The Lord of the Rings (Boxed Set)
by J. R. R. Tolkien
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Near Fine
- Edition
- Houghton Mifflin for book club
- Published
- [1969]
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Hendersonville, North Carolina, USA
- Item Price
-
£284.52
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Lord of the Rings (Boxed set of 3 vols)
by Tolkien, J. R. R.
- Condition
- Used - Near fine, Boxed set of 2nd edition (4th impression); all with unclipped d/j (v.g.), in green clothbound box; red clothbound boa
- Edition
- 2nd (4th imp)
- Published
- 1969
- Binding
- Hardback
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Maidenhead, Berkshire, GBR
- Item Price
-
£350.00
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The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring; The Two Towers; The Return of the King (Slipcased PBs 7 vols)
by Tolkien, J. R. R.
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good
- Edition
- 1st Edition 1st Printing
- Published
- 2001
- Binding
- Soft cover
- ISBN
- 9780007124015
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Birmingham, West Midlands, GBR
- Item Price
-
£18.00
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Lord of the Rings, The: Special Edition
by Tolkien, J.R.R.
- Condition
- New
- Jacket Condition
- new
- Published
- 2022
- Binding
- Special Edition
- ISBN
- 9780063274730
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Prescott, Arizona, USA
- Item Price
-
£203.22
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THE LORD OF THE RINGS - THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, THE TWO TOWERS, THE RETURN OF THE KING SIGNED
by J. R. R. Tolkien
- Condition
- Used
- Edition
- Second Revised Edition
- Published
- 1966-1967
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Pomona, New York, USA
- Item Price
-
£36,409.75
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Lord of the Rings
by Tolkien, J. R. R
- Condition
- New
- Published
- 1974-11-01
- Binding
- Imitation Leather
- ISBN
- 9780395193952
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
San Diego, California, USA
- Item Price
-
£164.67
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The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King/ The Two Towers/ The Fellowship of the Ring Slipcased Three Book Set
by Tolkien, J. R. R.
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Fine
- Edition
- First Edition/ First Print
- Published
- 2002
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780618260584
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Lewisville, Texas, USA
- Item Price
-
£243.46