The Lord Of the Rings
by Tolkien, J R R
The Lord of the Rings is an epic high fantasy novel written by philologist and Oxford University professor J. R. R. Tolkien. The story began as a sequel to Tolkien's earlier, less complex children's fantasy novel The Hobbit (1937), but eventually developed into a much larger work. It was written in stages between 1937 and 1954, much of it during World War II. After the success of The Hobbit, Tolkien’s publisher asked that he produce a sequel. Although written as one big work comprised of six books, The Lord of the Rings was broken into three separate volumes because of post-World War II paper shortages and size and price considerations. The print run of the first editions was very small: 3,000 copies for The Fellowship of the Ring (1954), 3,250 copies for The Two Towers (1954), and 7,000 copies for The Return of the King (1955). The Lord of the Rings went on to become one of the best-selling novels ever, with more than 150 million copies sold.
First edition identification
The Lord of the Rings was published in three parts by George Allen and Unwin, and in the US by Houghton Mifflin. The Fellowship of the Ring (1954), The Two Towers (1954), and The Return of the King (1955).The Uk editions have 21s net to the front flap. The first American edition has cover illustration by Walter Lorraine.
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
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On Aug 15, 2020, Anonymous said
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
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The Lord of the Rings
by J R R Tolkien
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 1961
- Binding
- Cloth
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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BATH, Somerset, GBR
- Item Price
-
SGD 1,879.90
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Description:
London: George Allen and Unwin, 1961 . Cloth. Good. 9" by 5.5". None. The complete set of this early impression of the trilogy 'The lord of the Rings' by J R R Tolkien. The eleventh impression of The Fellowship of the Ring, the eighth impression of The Two Towers, and of The Return of the King, a set published in… Read more about this item Item Price
SGD 1,879.90
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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
-
SGD 736.21
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Description:
Norwalk: Easton Press [1984]. (Hardcover set) 423, 352, 440pp. Fine. 3 volumes in gilt decorated green leather. All edges gilt, ribbon markers, frontispieces, folding maps, appendices, chronology, genealogical tables, index. Previous owner's Easton bookplates. Also known as . Frontispiece by Michael Hague. Vol. 1 The Fellowship of the Ring. Vol. 2 The Two Towers.… Read more about this item Item Price
SGD 736.21
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The Lord of the Rings
by J. R. R. Tolkien
- Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good
- Published
- 1960-1961
- Binding
- Cloth
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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BATH, Somerset, GBR
- Item Price
-
SGD 4,614.30
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Description:
London: George, Allen & Unwin, 1960-1961. Cloth. Near Fine/Very Good. 9.5" by 6". J. R. R. Tolkien. A complete set of early impressions of Tolkien's fantastical 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy, with each volume retaining the publisher's original unclipped dust wrapper. A complete three volume set of early impressions of J. R. R. Tolkien's beloved trilogy of high… Read more about this item Item Price
SGD 4,614.30
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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
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St Albans, GBR
- Item Price
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SGD 7,763.13
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Description:
London: Folio Society, 2022. 1st Edition 1st Printing. Hardcover. New/No Jacket. Alan Lee. Brand new set, will be shipped in Folio's original packaging. Limited to just 1,000 sets. Signed by Alan Lee, this is the finest version of Tolkien's masterpiece. The art print was signed by Alan Lee at an in-person event.
Item Price
SGD 7,763.13
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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
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London, Greater London, GBR
- Item Price
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SGD 4,272.50
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Description:
London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd. 1956 / 1957 / 1957. 8vo. Complete in 3 volumes. 423, 352 & 416 pp. folding maps at the rear of each volume. 5th, 3rd and 5th impressions of the first edition. Bound in recent full red morocco with marbled endpapers. Five raised bands to spine and gilt-lettered titles. All edges gilt. Folding maps… Read more about this item Item Price
SGD 4,272.50
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The Lord of the Rings (Millennium Edition)
by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Condition
- As New
- Published
- 1999
- Binding
- Seven hardcover volumes in a slipcase
- ISBN 10
- 0618037667
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Sherman Oaks, California, USA
- Item Price
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SGD 1,051.73
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Description:
MILLENNIUM EDITION, seven hardcover books in a slipcase. AS NEW, in the publisher s orginal shrinkwrap. A boxed set of 7 hardback volumes (the 6 books of the Lord of the Rings plus Appendices)A beautiful boxed set which for the first time divided the Lord of the Rings into the six Books as originally conceived by Tolkien with his suggested… Read more about this item Item Price
SGD 1,051.73
Lord of the Rings (three volume boxed set).
by TOLKIEN, J. R. R.
- Condition
- Used - Near Fine in Very Good dust jacket
- Published
- 1967
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
- Item Price
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SGD 1,752.88
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Description:
Boston:: Houghton Mifflin,. Near Fine in Very Good dust jacket. 1967. Hardcover. B00BFNNYAO . Complete in three volumes. With a new foreword by the author. Each volume is a stated first printing of the second edition, revised. Fold-out map is present at the rear of each volume. Each volume is near fine in a… Read more about this item Item Price
SGD 1,752.88
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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 - VG+/VG+
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Published
- 1957
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, GBR
- Item Price
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SGD 4,443.40
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Description:
George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1957. 1st Edition. Hardcover. VG+/VG+. A 1957 First Edition three volume set comprising 7th/5th/3rd Impressions. All bound in red cloth with gilt spine titles, all with the map at the back and red tint to the top of the text block. Each has its original dust jacket (now protected in a removable,… Read more about this item Item Price
SGD 4,443.40
![The Lord of the Rings [7 Book Box set]](https://d3525k1ryd2155.cloudfront.net/h/815/978/754978815.0.m.jpg)
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 10
- 0007124015
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Southampton, Hampshire, GBR
- Item Price
-
SGD 83.74
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Description:
HarperCollins. First edition-2nd printing of this seven-volume edition. Paperback. Near fine. Near fine condition.HarperCollins,2001.First edition-2nd printing of this seven-volume edition(3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2).Seven books with a slipcase.Paperbacks(a couple of small nicks and dent on the edges of the covers and spines) with an illustrated slipcase(small nicks and scratches on the slipcase),both in near… Read more about this item Item Price
SGD 83.74
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The Lord of the Rings
by Tolkien, J. R. R.
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good
- Edition
- First edition-first printing of this new reset illustrated editi
- Published
- 2021
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN 10
- 0008471282
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Southampton, Hampshire, GBR
- Item Price
-
SGD 152.10
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Description:
VGC. HarperCollins, 2021. First edition-first printing of this new reset illustrated edition (1). Black hardback (gilt illustration on the front cover, gilt lettering and illustration to the spine, a couple of dents on the edges of the cover) with Dj (large tear on the edges of the back Dj cover, small nicks and crease on the edges of the Dj… Read more about this item Item Price
SGD 152.10
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The Lord of the Rings (4-volume boxed set)
by Tolkien, J. R. R.
- Condition
- As New
- Edition
- First Thus
- Published
- 1977
- Binding
- Boxed Set
- ISBN 10
- 034524785X
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
La Mesa, California, USA
- Item Price
-
SGD 140.23
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Description:
New York, New York, U.S.A.: Ballantine, 1977. First Thus . Boxed Set. As New. The beloved trilogy + "The Hobbit" in a handsome gold-colored paper-covered boxed set of 4 mass market-paperback books, orig. issued in this format with gold-colored paper-covered by Ballantine in 1965, with a new Introduction by fantasy writer Peter S. Beagle from 1973 & a… Read more about this item Item Price
SGD 140.23
The Lord of the Rings
by Tolkien, J.R.R
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 1974-11-01
- Binding
- Imitation Leather
- ISBN 10
- 0395193958
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Franklin, Tennessee, USA
- Item Price
-
SGD 105.10
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Description:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1974-11-01. Imitation Leather. Good. Item Price
SGD 105.10
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The lord of the rings
by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Jacket Condition
- no
- Edition
- 4\4\2
- Published
- 1954
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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New York, New York, USA
- Item Price
-
SGD 7,502.30
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Description:
Title: The Lord of the Rings, UK First Edition, 4/4/2
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, London
Publication Date: 1954-56
Binding: Original Cloth
Illustrator: J.R.R. Tolkien
Condition: Good
Dust Jacket Condition: no
Edition: First UK Edition.
All books have maps
Second booklist some colour on binding
Has personal name previous owner on first page Item Price
SGD 7,502.30
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 10
- 0739408259
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Kellerberrin, Western Australia, AUS
- Item Price
-
SGD 140.23
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Description:
Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company/SFBC 1994 8vo xviii,1137,11pp ISBN 0-7394-0825-9, 1994 Near Fine original black boards, gilt titles to spine, in Near Fine Brodart-protected DW. Wrap-around jacket art by Donato. Maps redrawn by Stephen Raw, based on Christopher Tolkien's originals. Fairly large, easy-to-read print. A nice edition. Item Price
SGD 140.23
![The Lord of the Rings [7 Book Box set]: The Fellowship of the Ring / The Two Towers / The Return of the King](https://d3525k1ryd2155.cloudfront.net/h/004/636/282636004.0.m.jpg)
The Lord of the Rings [7 Book Box set]: The Fellowship of the Ring / The Two Towers / The Return of the King
by Tolkien, J. R. R.
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10
- 0007124015
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
-
SGD 17.35
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Description:
Paperback. Very Good. Item Price
SGD 17.35
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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
-
SGD 1,191.96
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Description:
TOLKIEN, J[ohn] R[onald] R[euel]. The Lord of the Rings. Illustrated by Alan Lee. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1992. 4to: 1193pp. Navy cloth decoratively stamped in silver. Two-color map endpapers of Middle-earth at front and rear of first two volumes, more detailed two-color map of Gondor, Mordor, and Rohan on endpapers of volume three; 48 full-color plates (16 in each volume). Volume… Read more about this item Item Price
SGD 1,191.96
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The Lord of the Rings (3 Volumes)
by Tolkien, J.R.R.
- Condition
- Used
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN
- Item Price
-
SGD 4,785.35
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Description:
London: George Allen & Unwin 1955, 1st edition. (Hardcover set) 423, 352, 416pp. Very good in good to very good dust jacket. Fellowship is 4th impression in 4th impression jacket, Two Towers is 2nd impression in 3rd impression jacket, and Return of the King is 2nd impression in 2nd impression jacket. Red cloth with top… Read more about this item Item Price
SGD 4,785.35
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The Lord of the Rings (7 books slipcase): 1. The Ring Sets Out; 2. The Ring Goes South; 3. The Treason of Isengard; 4. The Ring Goes East; 5. The War of The Ring; 6. The End of The Third Age; 7. Appendices: Being the Final Book Of The Lord of the Rings
by Tolkien, J.R.R.
- Condition
- Used - Very Good Plus - Near Fine
- Edition
- 2nd Printing
- Published
- 2001
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10
- 0007124015
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Hamilton, Ontario, CAN
- Item Price
-
SGD 62.94
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Description:
London: HarperCollins / Harper Collins, 2001. -----012666 - The scans you see are the books you get. Large soft covers/trade (roughly) 8" by 5 1/4" (inches) flat uncreased spines, clean tight square & true, 283, 253, 252, 189, 197, 182, 180 pages with some maps, books look and feel unread even unopened, Very Good Plus to Near Fine condition, book… Read more about this item Item Price
SGD 62.94
The Lord of the Rings
by Tolkien, J. R. R.
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Edition
- 1ST
- Published
- 2021
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN 10
- 0008471290
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
CARSON CITY, Nevada, USA
- Item Price
-
SGD 981.61
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Description:
U.S.A.: HarperCollins, 2021. Book. Fine. Hardcover. 1ST. Outstanding Copy - Comes In A Map Of The Realm Box. Still In The Original Palstic. A First Thus Illustrated Edition, First Printing. Book Is In Fine Condition. Boards Are Clean, Not Bumped. Fore Edges Are Clean. Interior Is Clean And Legible. Not Remaindered. No Dust Jacket As Issued. Thanks And Enjoy..… Read more about this item Item Price
SGD 981.61
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 10
- 0044403054
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Spokane Valley, Washington, USA
- Item Price
-
SGD 209.64
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Description:
HarperCollins Canada, Limited, 1988. 1st Edition thus. Published by Unwin Hyman Limited, London, 1988. Hardcover with dust jacket. Otherthan small prior owner's name neatly removed, book is clean and tight with only the slghtest of wear. Blue cover with gold lettering. Dust jacket shows small crease to top edge of front, but is not chipped or price clipped--still bright and… Read more about this item Item Price
SGD 209.64