NARN I CHÎN HÚRIN. THE TALE OF THE CHILDREN OF HURIN.

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original blue paper boards with titles in gilt to the spine, in the Alan Lee illustrated dustwrapper. Illustrated throughout with 8 full page colour illustrations and 25 black and white smaller illustrations on chapter headings to the end of several chapters all illustrated by Alan Lee. Includes fold-out map of Beleriand to the rear, line-drawn in black and white with lettering in red. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm, with light bumping to the extremities. The contents are clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with fine original pictorial dustwrapper, which is without fading, loss or tears. Not price-clipped (£18.99 to the lower front flap).

Considered one of the three "Great Tales" of Tolkien's legendarium set in the First Age of Tolkien's Middle-earth, alongside 'Beren and Lúthien' (2017) and 'The Fall of Gondolin' (2018), both also illustrated by Alan Lee and edited by Tolkien's son, Christopher. The main text had been previously published as "Narn i Hîn Húrin" in 'Unfinished Tales', but is edited here by Christopher Tolkien to form a consistent narrative as an independent work. Christopher Tolkien's contributions to this volume also include three genealogical trees ('The House of Hador & the People of Haleth', 'The House of Bëor', and 'The Princes of the Noldor'), an appendix (comprising 'The Evolution of the Great Tales', and 'The Composition of the Text'), and the List of Names. The story of the wanderings and deeds of Túrin Turambar, son of Húrin, and his sister Niënor, is considered to be among the darkest examples of any of Tolkien's works.