A very special edition of J. R. R. Tolkien's classic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings, gorgeously illustrated throughout in color by the author himself with the complete text printed in two colors, plus sprayed edges and a ribbon bookmark.Since it was first published in 1954, The Lord of the Rings has been a book people have treasured. Steeped in unrivaled magic and otherworldliness, Tolkien's sweeping fantasy and epic adventure has become a beloved fantasy classic that has touched the hearts of young and old alike. More than 150 million copies of its many editions have been sold around the world, and occasional collectors’ editions become prized and valuable items of publishing.This one-volume, jacketed hardcover edition contains the complete text, fully corrected and reset, which is printed in red and black and features, for the very first time, thirty color illustrations, maps and sketches drawn by Tolkien himself as he composed this epic fantasy work. These include the pages from the Book of Mazarbul, marvelous facsimiles created by Tolkien to accompany the famous ‘Bridge of Khazad-dum’ chapter. Also appearing are two removable fold-out maps drawn by Christopher Tolkien revealing all the detail of Middle-earth.Sympathetically packaged to reflect the classic look of the first edition, this new edition of the bestselling hardback will prove irresistible to collectors and new fans of high fantasy alike.This edition is the ultimate expression of the author’s vision for his work:Author Illustrations: For the first time ever, this volume includes thirty full-color illustrations, maps, and sketches created by J. R. R. Tolkien himself as he wrote his epic.A Unique Collector’s Item: Packaged to reflect the classic look of the first printing, this edition is designed to be a treasured and valuable item of publishing.Deluxe Production: The complete text is printed in two colors, red and black, and features sprayed page edges and a ribbon bookmark, making it a beautiful gift for any book lover.Exclusive Fold-Out Maps: Includes two removable fold-out maps drawn by Christopher Tolkien that reveal the incredible detail of Middle-earth.