Lord of the Rings

Alan Lee (1978) - "The Fairy Ring" - HAND-SIGNED & Numbered 33/50 - Extremely Rare Portfolio Art Print - From the Legendary "Faeries" Era (Lord of the Rings Illustrator / Oscar Winner)
An incredible, highly collectible piece of fantasy art history. This is an official, extremely limited edition art print by the world-renowned English illustrator Alan Lee, dating back to 1978—the exact year of the first edition release of the monumental book "Faeries" (co-authored with Brian Froud).
Alan Lee is globally celebrated not only for defining modern fantasy folklore but also for his definitive illustrations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, as well as winning an Academy Award (Oscar) for his production design on Peter Jackson’s film trilogy.
The Artwork: "The Fairy Ring"
This spellbinding piece captures a classic scene from British folklore—a chaotic, ethereal, and beautifully eerie twilight dance of the Fae, goblins, and woodland spirits surrounding a central figure. Rendered in Alan Lee's signature style, it perfectly showcases his masterful use of earthy tones, delicate textures, and a hauntingly beautiful, mythic atmosphere.
Technical Details & Rarity (Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity)
Unlike modern commercial prints that run in the hundreds or thousands, this is a rare vintage portfolio print from an extremely small edition of only 50 copies worldwide.
• Artist: Alan Lee (b. 1947)
• Title: "The Fairy Ring"
• Year of Production: 1978
• Edition Number: 33 / 50 (Hand-numbered on verso)
• Rarity Note: The whereabouts and locations of the remaining 49 prints from this 1978 limited edition are completely unknown. This creates a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for serious fantasy art collectors and Tolkien enthusiasts to acquire an elusive, museum-grade piece that rarely, if ever, appears on the open market.
• Signature & Inscriptions: Hand-signed, titled, and numbered by Alan Lee in pencil on the reverse side (verso): "Alan Lee - 'The fairy ring' 33/50".
• Dimensions: Approx. 32.5 x 21.5 cm
• Medium: Vintage Fine Art Print / Giclée on heavy-weight textured archival paper
Condition & Photography
Very Good Vintage Condition with Authentic Period Characteristics.
• Unedited Photographs: All photographs provided in this listing are 100% original, unedited, and unretouched. They have been taken under clear, natural lighting to show the true colors, rich paper texture, and exact physical state of the artwork without any digital alteration.
• Front (Recto): Excellent. The colors remain beautifully vibrant, and the graphic surface is completely clean and free of damage.
• Edges / Cut: Please note that one of the edges is not cut perfectly straight. This is a typical, authentic characteristic of vintage portfolio sheets from this era (1970s), which were often hand-trimmed. It does not affect the artwork itself and is easily accommodated or hidden by professional framing/passepartout.
• Back (Verso): Displays minor foxing spots (tiny, light-brown age marks) typical for 50-year-old paper stock. These do not affect the artwork on the front and serve as authentic evidence of its age and vintage origin.
Investment Potential
Items from the original 1978 Faeries era are heavily sought after by high-end art buyers. Because this edition is strictly limited to 50 pieces, hand-signed by Alan Lee himself, and with the locations of all other copies currently unknown, this piece offers immense potential for long-term value appreciation.
Note on Signature Evolution:
This piece features one of Alan Lee’s earliest signature styles from 1978. Over the decades, as his career progressed through The Lord of the Rings and other major projects, his handwriting and signature evolved slightly. This early, full pencil signature represents an authentic snapshot of his early professional career, adding an extra layer of historical value for serious collectors.