Tolkien's modern classic, The Lord of the Rings. Named Britain's best book in the BBC's inaugural The Big Read survey of 2003, The Lord of the Rings regularly features in lists of the world's greatest novels, and continues to be one of the most published works of all time. Found here in the original dust-jackets, with the maps in good working order.

At first, Tolkien intended the the books to be a children's tale in the style of The Hobbit but The Lord of the Rings quickly grew darker and more serious in tone. Though a direct sequel to The Hobbit, it addressed an older audience, drawing on the immense back-story of Beleriand that Tolkien had constructed in previous years and which eventually saw posthumous publication in The Silmarillion and other volumes. Tolkien's influence continues to weigh heavily on the fantasy genre, the popularity of which grew following the success of The Lord of the Rings.

First editions, tenth, seventh, and sixth impressions; 3 vols, 8vo (23 x 15 cm); each vol. with folding map in red and black to rear, previous ownership inscription to front free endpapers, a little toning to endpapers of vol. 2; publisher's red cloth, gilt lettering to spines, top edges red, original light grey pictorial dust-jackets price clipped, spines slightly toned and a touch bumped, a very good set.