The Lord of the Rings in Thai

TOLKIEN, J[ohn] R[onald] R[euel]. The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. Bangkok: Amarin, 2001-2002. 8vo, Vol 1: 647pp. + [1] advt. Vol 2: 535pp. Vol 3: 651pp. Black, red and blue boards respectively, each with title in Thai and English printed with holographic sparkling silver ink as well as white and with Elvish script and Dwarf runes printed in darker shades of their respective colors. Each cover bears an inlaid golden ornament (ring, Tolkien monogram, and sword, respectively). Patterned endpapers with Tolkien monogram; fold-out map of Middle Earth by Christopher Tolkien printed in two colors and labeled in Thai laid in to volume 1, topographical fold-out map by Christopher Tolkien of Gondor and Mordor printed in two colors and labeled in Thai laid into volume 3, and 5 pages of maps in b&w at rear of volume 2 and 2 pages of b&w maps at rear of volume 3. Fine copies of all three volumes, without dust jackets, as issued.

First Thai hardcover editions, released to coincide with the release of the first two major motion pictures directed by Peter Jackson. A wonderful addition to any Tolkien collector's shelves, this three-volume set features what seems to be the first translation of Tolkien's beloved trilogy into the Thai language. Fascinatingly, the Sanskrit-based written Thai is reminiscent of the Elvish script Tolkien created, so at a casual glance it appears as though this edition is printed in Elvish. A delightful and beautiful addition to any Tolkien collection.