Tolkien Fans Rejoice: Illustrated ‘Lord of the Rings’ & ‘The Hobbit’ Box Set Sees Early Black Friday Discount
Amazon is offering a significant discount on the new hardcover box set collecting definitive editions of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, marking an early start to Black Friday deals. The The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings Illustrated box set, published by William Morrow on October 14, is currently available for $92.93, a 38% reduction from its original price of $150. According to the Amazon product page, the deal is “selling fast” and may not remain in stock until the official start of Amazon’s Black Friday sale on November 20.
This new four-volume collection features redesigned versions of The Lord of the Rings Centenary Edition – originally published in 1992 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Tolkien’s birth – and the The Hobbit 60th Anniversary Edition (1997). While not as opulent as last year’s The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Box Set, the set provides fans with matching editions of both beloved works, particularly appealing given the illustrations are by Alan Lee, the conceptual designer for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies.
The illustrated collection spans over 1,600 pages and is richly adorned with watercolor artwork. The Lord of the Rings Centenary Edition includes 50 illustrations, while The Hobbit features 27 full-page illustrations alongside smaller watercolor plates at the beginning of each chapter. Detailed maps of Middle-earth are incorporated into the endpapers of all four books. The dust jackets and accompanying slipcase showcase Lee’s stunning watercolor illustrations, echoing the aesthetic of last year’s The History of Middle-earth Box Sets, as well as this year’s Tolkien Myths and Legends and The Great Tales of Middle-earth.
For years, US readers have faced challenges acquiring this edition, often needing to purchase from resellers or import directly from the UK, where it was originally published by HarperCollins UK in 2020. William Morrow’s 2025 edition now offers a readily available US version matching the UK release.
Those considering standalone hardcover editions of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings with Lee’s artwork should note that purchasing them separately would cost approximately $20 more than the current box set deal, and would exclude the slipcase and unique cover art.
Amazon is also offering a discount on last year’s The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Box Set, originally priced at $325, now available for $108.30 – matching its all-time low from Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days. This remastered and expanded edition features new paintings, over 50 of Lee’s pencil sketches, three removable art cards, and two foldout maps. The three-volume set is quarterbound in leather, with cloth board covers featuring watercolor paintings and foil-stamped frames. Even the page edges and slipcase interior depict Mount Doom’s eruption, and each volume includes a ribbon bookmark.
A matching deluxe edition of The Hobbit is also available, though at a higher price point of $179 (originally $195). This edition boasts exclusive artwork not found in earlier releases, including new full-color paintings and black-and-white sketches, two foldout maps, and a removable art card. It is designed to complement last year’s The Lord of the Rings Deluxe set, sharing its premium features and custom slipcase.
Beyond these offerings, William Morrow’s other 2024-25 Tolkien box sets, including The History of Middle-earth Box Sets, share a similar aesthetic, illustrated by John Howe. The Great Tales of Middle-earth Box Set, released in August, also features artwork by Alan Lee. All six box sets are currently discounted on Amazon.
For budget-conscious fans, the Lord of the Rings Collector’s Edition Box Set is available for $51 (down from $105), offering sprayed page edges, ribbon bookmarks, and illustrated endpapers. Alternatively, a classic 1988 hardcover box set, featuring artwork by Alan Lee, is on sale for $38.75, a significant reduction from its $90 retail price. These options provide accessible entry points into the world of Tolkien for those seeking a more affordable hardcover collection.
