The Silmarillion Deluxe Illustrated by the Author Special Edition

Special: The Silmarillion Deluxe Illustrated by the Author is a slipcased hardcover edition of Tolkien’s Middle-earth mythology, with color illustrations and additional map and booklet material. Its presentation makes it suited to collectors and readers interested in the wider history behind The Lord of the Rings, though its listed 2-pound weight is worth considering for extended carrying.

At a glance

Complete text printed in two colors, accompanied by more than 50 color paintings, illustrations, and designs by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Includes two poster-size fold-out maps, an illustrated booklet about the making of the book, and a printed art card.
Quarterbound cloth hardcover with raised spine ribs, three-foil stamping, silver-edged pages, and a ribbon marker, housed in a clothbound slipcase.
Covers the mythology and history leading into The Lord of the Rings, including the creation myth, Númenor, and the Rings of Power.

Price

$81.59Save 58%

Reference price: ~~$195.00~~

Price checked: Nov 13, 2026

View offer Ahead of Black FridayExplore the selection

Often bought together

The Hobbit Deluxe Illustrated by the Author: Special Edition – An Illustrated Edition of Tolkien's Classic Epic Fantasy Adventure (Tolkien Illustrated Editions, 9)

$100.89

The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated by the Author: A Fully Illustrated Version of the Classic Fantasy Novels (Tolkien Illustrated Editions, 2)

$137.60

Pros and cons

Pros

Tolkien’s own artwork appears throughout, giving this edition a distinct visual focus beyond the complete text.
The fold-out maps, making-of booklet, art card, and slipcase add several edition-specific elements for display or collecting.
Its 448-page text brings together the main Silmarillion narrative and several shorter works.

Cons

At a listed 2 pounds and 11.17 inches tall, it is a substantial volume rather than a particularly portable reading copy.

Technical specifications

9 specifications

Book details
Edition	Special Edition
Publisher	William Morrow
Publication date	October 3, 2023
Language	English
Print length	448 pages

Dimensions and installation
Weight listed	2 pounds
Dimensions	6.6 x 2.22 x 11.17 inches

Identifiers
ISBN-10	0063340542
ISBN-13	978-0063340541

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Tolkien readers who want an illustrated account of Middle-earth’s earlier history and mythology.
Collectors seeking a slipcased edition with Tolkien-created artwork and extra printed material.
Readers who appreciate maps and supplementary material alongside the complete text.

Less suited to

Readers seeking a lightweight book for frequent travel or one-handed reading.
Buyers looking for a novel focused only on the events of The Lord of the Rings. This edition covers a broader mythology and includes shorter works.

The Silmarillion Deluxe Illustrated by the Author Special Edition · photo 2 — Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.8 / 5 · 375 ratings

5 stars93%93%
4 stars4%4%
3 stars2%2%
2 stars0%0%
1 star1%1%

Customer feedback is strongly favorable about the illustrations, binding, appearance, and appeal as a collector’s item. Reactions to the color presentation are mixed, including a report that page titles are not printed in color. The listing separately claims that the complete text is printed in two colors and that the edition has more than 50 color images, so the reported distinction between artwork and page titles may matter to buyers expecting color throughout every design element.

Positive themes

Customers praise the illustrations, including reports of full-page artwork.
Customers speak positively about the binding and collector appeal.

Mixed feedback

Feedback on the color scheme varies, with some customers describing the illustrations as vibrant and another noting that page titles are not printed in color.

Frequently asked questions

What is included in this special edition?

The listing describes the complete text, more than 50 Tolkien illustrations, two fold-out maps, an illustrated booklet about the book’s making, and a printed art card. It also describes a clothbound slipcase.

Does Tolkien illustrate this edition?

Yes. The listing says the color paintings, illustrations, and designs are by J.R.R. Tolkien himself.

What works are covered in the book?

Along with the main Silmarillion history, the listing names the Ainulindalë, Valaquenta, Akallabêth, and Of the Rings of Power.

Is this an easy book to carry around?

The listed weight is 2 pounds and dimensions are 6.6 x 2.22 x 11.17 inches, so it is a sizable hardcover rather than a lightweight travel book.