The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien (2004, Hardcover, Anniversary)

I was familiar with this 50th anniversary edition of The Lord of the Rings and had the chance to see it close up last fall. I had already decided to add it to my collection but the price was a little steep and I was waiting for a better time to make the investment. The eBay auction provided just the right opportunity. It is perhaps not as beautiful as the red faux leather edition that I've owned for more than 25 years but the genuine leather cover and slipcase have an appeal all their own and the inclusion of Tolkien's maps were a nice touch. It makes the perfect addition to my collection which already includes the original Ballentine peperback edition published in the 1960's as well as the various editions with movie photo covers. It is very classy in appearance and I understand it is the version containing the corrections made by Christopher Tolkien. Something less expensive would suffice for the casual reader but this is a must for the Tolkien fanatic and serious collector.

I think this is one of the best editions of the "Lord of the Rings" I have ever seen (and I've seen a lot). It has a nice looking cover, two large-format fold-out maps (painted in black and red ink), a ribbon place marker, gilded page edges, and an attractive slipcase. The print is large and easy to read. No illustrations. A minor problem may be the fold-out map - it tears up quickly if you use it only a few times (and there is no way to cut it out).
Overall, this book is excellent, and it is the collectable 50th Anniversary Edition which makes it a "must have" for any Tolkien fan.

Even though there was a problem with shipment, the first package was lost. This seller did not make me wait until the USPS did a search for the package. A replacement was shipped immediately which I appreciated because the book was intended as a gift for my son. Thank you very much!