This four-book hardcover collection features gorgeous watercolor illustrations by the conceptual designer for Peter Jackson's adaptations. The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings, Illustrated by Alan Lee Box Set $93 (was $150) | Limited-time deal The new hardcover box set collecting the best editions of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit is featured in this week's early Black Friday sale at Amazon. Published by William Morrow on October 14, The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings Illustrated by Alan Lee Box Set is discounted to only $92.93 (was $150). The 38% discount is "selling fast," according to the store page, so it might not be in stock by the time Amazon's Black Friday 2025 sale officially begins November 20. Though not nearly as fancy as last year's The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Box Set, it's nice to have matching editions of LOTR and The Hobbit. This is especially true when talking about the iconic editions illustrated by the conceptual designer of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies. The new four-volume collection includes redesigned versions of The Lord of the Rings Centenary Edition--published in 1992 to mark 100 year since Tolkien's birth--and The Hobbit 60th Anniversary Edition (1997). The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings Illustrated clocks in at just over 1,600 pages across the four hardcover books. Memorable scenes from each story are accompanied by stunning full-page watercolor portraits. There are 50 illustrations in the Centenary Edition of The Lord of the Rings. Meanwhile, The Hobbit features 27 full-page illustrations as well as smaller watercolor plates at the start of each chapter. All four books have detailed maps of Middle-earth as endpapers. The dust jackets and matching slipcase feature Lee's beautiful watercolor illustrations. The vibrant, wrap-around aesthetic is similar to The History of Middle-earth Box Sets published last year, and this year's Tolkien Myths and Legends and The Great Tales of Middle-earth. Like numerous editions of Tolkien's work, this box set was originally published by HarperCollins UK in 2020. For the last five years, US readers had to purchase the 2020 edition from a reseller or import directly from a UK bookshop. William Morrow's 2025 edition matches the UK version. William Morrow still prints standalone hardcover editions of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings with Lee's paintings, but you'd wind up spending about $20 more compared to the box set deal. Plus, you'd miss out on the slipcase and stunning new cover and case art. The Lord of the Ring, Illustrated by Alan Lee (2002 Editions) As mentioned, William Morrow published a lavish Deluxe Illustrated Box Set of The Lord of the Rings last fall. Originally sold for $325, the stunning three-volume set is discounted to only $108.30, which matches the all-time low first offered during Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event. A remastered and expanded version of the Centenary Edition, the Deluxe Illustrated Box Set has new paintings, over 50 of Lee's pencil sketches, three removable art cards, and two foldout maps. All three books are quarterbound in leather, and the cloth board covers have new watercolor paintings surrounded by foil-stamped frame. Lee's artwork is even found on the page edges and interior of the custom cloth board slipcase, both of which depict Mount Doom's eruption. The pages are sewn to the spine, and each volume in this 1,332-page set has a built-in ribbon bookmark. The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Box Set: Illustrated by Alan Lee The Deluxe Illustrated Box Set does not include The Hobbit, but as of today (November 18), you can add a matching edition to your collection--as long as you don't mind dropping close to $200. The Hobbit Deluxe, just like The Lord of the Rings Deluxe, has exclusive new artwork not found in the original 60th Anniversary Edition or the standard box set. It has new full-color paintings and black-and-white sketches, two foldout maps, and one removable art card. Designed to be a perfect match with last year's box set, The Hobbit Deluxe has the same premium features, including a custom slipcase. The Hobbit Deluxe is 384 pages and retails for $195. Amazon is offering a small discount that drops the price to $179. The Hobbit Deluxe: Illustrated by Alan Lee As you can see from the image above, William Morrow's other 2024-25 Tolkien box sets have a similar aesthetic to the new LOTR and The Hobbit slipcase set. The decorate box art and wrap-around covers on the four History of Middle-earth Box Sets were designed and illustrated by John Howe. The Great Tales of Middle-earth Box Set, which was published in August, has color plates and black-and-white sketches by by Alan Lee. All six box sets are steeply discounted at Amazon. If you'd like a hardcover Lord of the Rings box set but don't want to spend roughly $100, there are two solid options for half that price (or less). The Lord of the Rings Collector's Edition Box Set is discounted to $51 (was $105) at Amazon. All three volumes have sprayed page edges, ribbon bookmarks, fully illustrated endpapers, and foil-stamped cover art. These aren't illustrated editions, but they are very reasonably priced and look great. The Lord of the Rings Collector's Edition Box Set (2024) Another option is the 1988 hardcover box set, which remains in print today due to its popularity. This set has a distinctly classic look and features cover and slipcase artwork by Alan Lee. This $90 slipcase set is on sale for $38.75 at Amazon. The Lord of the Rings Hardcover Box Set (1988) $38.75 (was $90) | Cover and case artwork by Alan Lee