The Book Art of Philip Smith

British artist Philip Smith is an accomplished bookbinder. Pictured above is his vision of Tolkein's The Lord of the Rings:

Book-box made from binders board, balsawood and with brass-reinforced epoxy-putty modelling. Covered with goatskin. Various parts of goatskin are used; strips, emulsified or individual flesh side and grain side parings, and maril. The box has two compartments for the book and a map folder. The leather clasp is designed to match the of images on both sides. The skull (supposedly of a Ringwrailh King; the contorted upper spires now represent the crown) is designed to work with a raking light to give deep relief to the modeling. The nine dead ringwraiths' headstones line the lower edge of the box.

You can view more examples of his work at the link.

Link via io9 | Photo: Philip Smith