UNFINISHED TALES OF NÚMENOR AND MIDDLE-EARTH

First illustrated edition, first printing. Signed by the artist Alan Lee. Publisher's original blue boards with gilt titles to the spine, in the Alan Lee illustrated dustwrapper. Blue ribbon page marker. With 18 full-colour plates depicting scenes from the First, Second and Third Ages of Middle-earth from critically acclaimed Tolkien artists, Alan Lee, John Howe and Ted Nasmith. A fine copy, the binding square and tight, bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without previous owners' marks. Complete with the fine original dustwrapper that is without fading, loss or tears. Not price-clipped (£30 to the lower front flap).

Signed by Alan Lee in black ink on the title page. 'Unfinished Tales' is a collection of narratives ranging in time from the Elder Days of Middle-earth to the end of the War of the Ring, and provides those who have read 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings' with a whole collection of background and new stories. The book concentrates on the realm of Middle-earth and comprises such elements as The Quest of Erebor, Gandalf's lively account of how it was that he came to send the Dwarves to the celebrated party at Bag-End; the emergence of the sea-god Ulmo before the eyes of Tuor on the coast of Beleriand; and an exact description of the military organization of the Riders of Rohan. The book also contains the only story about the long ages of Númenor before its downfall, and all that is known about such matters as the Five Wizards, the Palantíri and the legend of Amroth. The tales were edited by Christopher Tolkien, who also provides a short commentary on each story.