The Hobbit

"In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit." So begins one of the most beloved and delightful tales in the English language. Set in the imaginary world of Middle-earth, at once a classic myth and a modern fairy tale, The Hobbit is one of literature's most enduring and well-loved novels. This gift edition, with new watercolor paintings by the artist Alan Lee, celebrates the sixtieth anniversary of the first publication in 1937.

J.R.R. Tolkien was born on 3rd January 1892 in Bloemfontein. After serving in the First World War, he embarked upon a distinguished academic career and was recognised as one of the finest philologists in the world. He is, however, best known for his extraordinary works of fiction The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. He died on 2nd September 1973 at the age of 81. Alan Lee was born in Middlesex in 1947. He studied Graphic Design at Ealing School of Art. As a student he concentrated on the depiction of Celtic and Norse myths and has remained fascinated by mythology throughout his career. He has illustrated a wide range of books including Faeries (with Brian Froud), The Mabinogion, Castles, Merlin Dreams and the centenary edition of The Lord of the Rings. He has also created the conceptual design for the film version of Terry Jones' Erik the Viking, and was awarded the Carnegie Medal for his illustrated edition of The Iliad. Tolkien's work has inspired him ever since reading The Lord of the Rings at an early age. He now lives and works on the edge of Dartmoor, in Devon.