The Silmarillion Deluxe Illustrated by the Author Special Edition

The Silmarillion Deluxe Illustrated by the Author is a slipcased hardcover edition of Tolkien’s Middle-earth history, with colour artwork by J.R.R. Tolkien and additional maps and booklet material. Its elaborate binding and extras make it especially suited to collectors, while its 448-page text also serves readers seeking the full work.

At a glance

Complete text printed in two colours.
Includes more than 50 colour works by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Two fold-out maps, an illustrated booklet by Christopher Tolkien and a printed art card are described as edition-specific extras.
Clothbound slipcase, black cloth boards, silver-edged pages and a ribbon marker.

Price

$149.16Save 16%

Reference price: ~~$177.66~~

Price checked: 12 Nov 2026

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Often bought together

The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated by the Author: Special Edition: 2

$246.85

The Hobbit Deluxe Illustrated by the Author: Special Edition: 9

$192.24

Pros and cons

Pros

The large collection of Tolkien-created colour artwork adds visual material alongside the complete text.
Fold-out maps and a booklet about the book’s making provide useful context for readers and collectors.
Distinctive cloth binding and slipcase give the edition a display-focused presentation.

Technical specifications

12 specifications

Publication
Publisher	William Morrow & Company
Publication date	3 October 2023
Language	English
Print length	448 pages
ISBN-10	0063340542
ISBN-13	978-0063340541

Dimensions and installation
Dimensions	16.76 x 5.64 x 28.37 cm
Weight listed	907 g

Edition features
Illustrations	more than 50 colour paintings, illustrations and designs drawn by J.R.R. Tolkien himself
Maps	two poster-size, fold-out maps
Binding and presentation	quarterbound with raised ribs on the spine, stamped in three foils on black cloth boards, and housed in a custom-built clothbound slipcase
Other edition details	The pages are edged in silver and include a ribbon marker.

What to know before buying

This is a substantial 448-page hardcover listed at 907 g and measuring 16.76 x 5.64 x 28.37 cm, so it is less suited to light travel reading.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Readers wanting the complete Silmarillion in a richly illustrated hardcover.
Tolkien collectors interested in author-created art, maps and edition-specific extras.
Gift buyers seeking a presentation-focused edition.

Less suited to

Readers prioritising a lightweight or compact copy.
Buyers mainly seeking the text without elaborate binding and collector-focused extras.

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

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.8 / 5 · 370 ratings

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

Customer feedback describes the edition as an enjoyable read and praises its vibrant illustrations, binding and appeal as a collector’s item or gift. Those impressions align with the listed author-created artwork and elaborate presentation. Value for money is mixed, a relevant consideration for buyers chiefly interested in the text rather than the physical extras. The aggregate rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 370 ratings, but ratings alone do not explain individual experiences.

Positive themes

Customers praise the illustrations and binding.
Customers describe it as a collectible edition and a suitable gift.
Customers report enjoying the book itself.

Mixed feedback

Customer feedback on value for money is mixed.

Frequently asked questions

What is included with this edition?

The listing describes two fold-out maps, an illustrated booklet featuring Christopher Tolkien’s account of the book’s making, and a printed art card reproducing “Taniquetil”, alongside the book.

Who created the illustrations?

The edition is described as containing more than 50 colour paintings, illustrations and designs drawn by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Is this the complete text?

The listing says it contains the complete text, printed in two colours, and also includes several shorter works.

How large and heavy is the book?

The listed dimensions are 16.76 x 5.64 x 28.37 cm and the listed weight is 907 g.