Custom Clamshell Boxes for Tolkien Books by Dark Dawn

Made-to-measure protection and presentation

A clamshell opens around the book, with fitted trays supporting it inside. José of Dark Dawn makes each piece around a particular book or set, rather than working to a universal edition size. His recent portfolio includes cloth-covered boxes, leather-and-cloth constructions, engraved decoration and, in some examples, a raising tray that lifts the book as the lid opens.

The photographs below show six examples of his work. These are portfolio examples, not six finished boxes offered as available stock. Books shown in the photographs are not included.

Examples shown in the photographs

- Tree and Leaf, Unwin Books paperback (1964), maker’s reference 95: brown rayon bookcloth with the paperback’s tree panel reproduced on the front. The interior has a raising tray; the back carries the year and the maker’s signed number.
- The Hobbit graphic novel, Eclipse Books (1989–1990), reference 98: a rayon-covered clamshell with laser-engraved title and decoration, dark-green trays and a fitted recess for the three volumes.
- The Hobbit, Unwin Books paperback (1966), reference 97: the paperback’s cover design is reproduced on the box, with the title and Unwin device on the spine. An articulated interior mechanism assists removal of the book.
- The Ancrene Riwle, Burns & Oates (1955), reference 93: engraved navy-leather spine with green rayon-covered boards. The grey-cloth interior has a raising tray and blue lifting ribbons.
- Smith of Wootton Major, reference 82: red-cotton boards with a black leatherette spine and corners, engraved spine decoration, and beige-cotton trays with red linings.
- The Hobbit, reference 83: green rayon-covered boards with engraved leather spine, corners and front label; black-cotton trays inside.

Commissioning a box

Please send the title, publisher, publication year and printing of your book, together with its exact height, width and thickness in millimetres, measured with the dust jacket or other covering that the box must accommodate. Photographs of the book and jacket are helpful. Mention any preferred example, colour, material or lifting mechanism.

Materials and construction vary between the examples. The final design, fit, price, availability and lead time must be agreed with Dark Dawn before an order is placed. A box made for one copy is not guaranteed to fit another copy of the same edition. No fixed production time is implied.

Price and availability

Indicative price: Euro 250–295. This is a bespoke commission enquiry, not a fixed-price purchase. Shipping is quoted separately. New orders and exact specifications remain subject to confirmation with the maker.

Photographs and portfolio descriptions supplied by Dark Dawn. Maker’s piece numbers identify the examples shown, not stock quantities or numbered editions of the books.

A Dark Dawn clamshell is designed around your particular Tolkien book, combining a fitted enclosure with a presentation suited to the volume it protects.

Terms of sale: Prices are only indications, always inquire if books are still available. We accept Money Orders, cash, or Credit Cards (paypal) for immediate shipping.  Checks will delay shipment for 10 days for checks to clear. Please inquire for shipping quotes.
Interested: Please send email to info@tolkienlibrary.com.