TOLKIEN, J. R. R. : THE LORD OF THE RINGS ACE PAPERBACKS 1965 This is a Superior set of the scarce three volume ACE Paperbacks edition of The Lord of the Rings illegally printed in 1965 before it was withdrawn when Ballantine Books printed the official three volume version of the book on the instruction of the author, J. R. R. Tolkien - it is commonly known as the "Pirate" version and is now extremely scarce in any condition. "Jack Gaughan painted the artwork for the three covers - an often used artist for ACE paperbacks; "he painted all three covers for the Ace in a single weekend. He did not have time to read the book, but was 'talked through' his art by fantasy writer and critic Lin Carter. The runes in the background of his paintings for LR have no meaning". Three Volumes. Softback 8vo. Wear to extremities with light vertical creasing to covers on Return of the King. No spine lean. Usual spine lean. Faint ink name to top margin of front cover of Fellowship. None of the usual fading to spine of Two Towers. The illegal three volume paperback edition issued by ACE paperbacks before the official Ballantine edition authorised by Tolkien. It has now become very scarce in any condition & this set is much better than usual without the usual spine lean and no fading to spines.