The Hobbit or There and Back Again.

by TOLKIEN, J. R. R.; LEE, Alan (illus.).

$5,079 · Offered by Biblio

Signed

London: Harper Collins,, 1997. The visual inspirations for the films First Lee edition, signed limited issue, number 510 of 600 copies signed by the illustrator and specially bound. Lee's illustrated editions of Tolkien were a key inspiration for Peter Jackson, who recruited Lee as a lead concept artist for the films. It is Lee's visualization of Middle-earth that is perhaps most familiar to a 21st-century audience. This deluxe issue was produced exclusively for Hatchards to celebrate both the 60th anniversary of the work's publication and the 200th anniversary of the bookshop's founding. Large octavo. With 26 colour plates, 2 double-page maps printed in red and black, monochrome illustrations in the text. Original dark red quarter morocco, spine lettered in gilt with Tolkien's monogram at head, red cloth sides ruled in gilt and stamped with Smaug device on front, marbled endpapers, edges gilt. Housed in publisher's red cloth slipcase with Smaug device on front. Slipcase slightly rubbed: a near-fine copy in very good slipcase.

• Year: 1997
• Binding: hardcover

Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.