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Expensive Tolkien book donated to Oxfam shop (20.01.08 by Pieter Collier) - Comments

Daily Records tells us that a rare Tolkien book worth £5000 was handed to an Oxfam shop in Troon, Ayrshire, by a mystery donor. It seems they have noticed the book is special but are complete off when it comes to the value of this book.

The book which has been donated is the specially bound and slipcased edition of the Lord of the Rings, which has been published to celebrate the centenary of J.R.R. tolkien's birth on January 3, 1892.

This edition has been limited to 250 copies for Harper Collins Publishers and each one numbered and signed by the artist Alan Lee, which is also mentioned in the Daily Records article. Yet, a similar 250 copies were also made in the United States and in Canada, which makes this copy one of 750 copies worldwide! Serious Tolkien collectors consider this edition one of the most beautifull Deluxe Editions, but it is not worth £5000 and it is not so scarce as people think. In 1992, most serious Tolkien collectors bought at least some copies and are always willing to sell theirs for much less then £5000.

It is however a very beautiful book, quarter bound in blue leather and cloth with the JRRT monogram on the front boards of the book and the original publishers slipcase. As mentioned by dailyrecord.co.uk this single volume edition has silver gilded edges, a ribbon marker bound in, and a signed limitation page.

In the fifty original illustrations by Alan Lee thru the book, you can follow how the movies were first visualized by Allen Lee, and carried thru by Peter Jackson, with Lee's assistance throughout the movie's production.

Copies like these are available at the Tolkien Library Store for around £820, which is the normal price for such books. Not all books are listed at the store so don't hesitate to get in touch if you look for something special.

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