The Hobbit: Illustrated by the Author

(Hardback, Illustrated Deluxe edition)

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Description

For the first time ever, a beautiful slipcased edition of the enchanting prelude to The Lord of the Rings, illustrated throughout with over 50 sketches, drawings, paintings and maps by J.R.R. Tolkien himself, with the complete text printed in two colours and with many bonus features unique to this edition.
Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely travelling further than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard, Gandalf, and a company of thirteen dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an unexpected journey there and back again. They have a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon

Written for J.R.R. Tolkiens own children, The Hobbit was published on 21 September 1937. With a beautiful cover design, a handful of black & white drawings and two maps by the author himself, the book became an instant success and was reprinted shortly afterwards with five colour plates.

Tolkiens own selection of finished paintings and drawings have become inseparable from his text, adorning editions of The Hobbit for more than85 years. But the published art has afforded only a glimpse of Tolkiens creative process, and many additional sketches, coloured drawings and maps although exhibited and published elsewhere have never appeared within the pages of The Hobbit.

In this unique enhanced edition of Tolkiens enchanting classic tale, the full panoply of his art is reproduced for the first time, presenting more than 50 illustrations to accompany Bilbo Baggins on his adventure there and back again.

Unique to this edition are two poster-size, fold-out maps revealing all the detail of Thrors Map and Wilderland, an illustrated 88-page booklet, and a printed art card reproducing Tolkiens original dustjacket painting.

It is additionally quarterbound in green leather, with raised ribs on the spine, stamped in three foils on black cloth boards, and housed in a custom-built clothbound slipcase. The pages are edged in gold and include a ribbon marker.

Reviews

One of the most influential books of our generation
The Times

Finely written saga of dwarves and elves, fearsome goblins and trolls an exciting epic of travel, magical adventure, working up to a devastating climax
The Observer

The English-speaking world is divided into those who have read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and those who are going to read them
Sunday Times

One of the best loved characters in English fiction a marvellous fantasy adventure
Daily Mail

A flawless masterpiece
The Times

Author Bio

J.R.R.Tolkien (1892-1973) was a distinguished academic, though he is best known for writing The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, plus other stories and essays. His books have been translated into over 60 languages and have sold many millions of copies worldwide. J.R.R.Tolkien (1892-1973) was a distinguished academic, though he is best known for writing The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, plus other stories and essays. His books have been translated into over 60 languages and have sold many millions of copies worldwide.