What are
/r/tolkienbooks'
favorite Products & Services?
From 3.5 billion Reddit comments
The most popular Products mentioned in /r/tolkienbooks:
The most popular Services mentioned in /r/tolkienbooks:
The Book Depository
AbeBooks
Barnes & Noble
Git Bash
Facebook Marketplace
SourceForge
The most popular reviews in /r/tolkienbooks:
Tolkien's Library by Oronzo Cilli seeks to compile Tolkien's own library, has an introduction by Tom Shippey and also lists Tolkien's lectures from 1920-1959, a short bibliography, a list of interviews and where they are published, even Tolkien's research students get a short list with what papers were supervised by the professor.
The detail is exceptional, listing the work, any notes about it, where he captured the information from and if known where the book is held. He references 2599 works in the main library section of the book.
There is not an edition that is 'illustrated' by Tolkien. All the sets have some of his illustrations such as the Gates of Moria and some have Pages from the book of Mazarbul. If your husband is interested in Tolkien's illustrations for the Lord of the Rings, then get him a copy of The Art of The Lord of the Rings by Hammond and Scull instead https://www.amazon.com/Art-Lord-Rings-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0544636341/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3EQD30HXPUS00&dchild=1&keywords=art+of+the+lord+of+the+rings&qid=1608549469&sprefix=art+of+the+lord%2Caps%2C242&sr=8-7
Actually.. I would argue that it's the Ace Books copy of the Two Towers. Where did you find that?? That's a bootleg copy and a hot find!
Mind if I ask what you paid for it??
I also have the 2013 version illustrated by Jemima Catlin and I love it. It really does give it that "children's book" feel to it, but tastefully - if that makes sense.
https://www.amazon.com/Hobbit-Illustrated-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0544174224/ref=asc_df_0544174224/
You can scroll down to the images in the reviews for some samples, and it's cheap enough that you can buy it along with the other editions if you want to.
I cannot believe how expensive this set has become so quickly. It's going to be tough to find the individual books as they were only sold as a set - what kind of Wormtongue would actually only buy The Fellowship of the Ring and leave the rest is beyond me.
Your best bet is to continue to check AbeBooks and Amazon on a daily basis and hope for the best. The ISBN for the box is: 0007522932
Just don't breakdown and spend over $4,000 on it. Because they certainly aren't worth that much...
Thanks! I absolutely love the 1977 animated Hobbit, so finding that illustrated version was amazing. Some pages have tears, but on the whole it's in pretty good condition. Even came with the transparent dust jacket, which I know isn't very common. Has some amazing art from the movies production, including some of Beorn who didn't make it in the movie. I really wish they'd release the movie on blu-ray. I'm assuming you mean the smaller paperback. No, it looks exactly like this one, except the number in the upper left is different. https://www.amazon.com/AUTHORIZED-HOBBITT-enchanting-prelude-Rings/dp/B000I6O53E
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tales-Perilous-Realm-J-Tolkien/dp/0008453349
You can see front, side and back of the new edition in these pics.
The front is still like the old version, maybe the green is a bit different. The spine is more in line with the new editions. That’s about it.
There are large print versions that look pretty similar.
Not having seen them in person, I'm still betting they are a bit bigger (taller) that the versions have there.
https://www.amazon.ca/Beren-Luthien-J-R-Tolkien/dp/0008248079
https://www.amazon.ca/Fall-Gondolin-J-R-Tolkien/dp/0008302774
From the Amazon Listing, which also shows the back cover -- this appears to be a mislabeling credit on a book self published by Jay Effemen. (I'm being kind here, the cover may be an intentional effort to mislead people into thinking it is a Tolkien book.)
Since you bought this, is there any more detail inside as to copyright and who actually wrote this?
Sorry to hear about your books mate. Looks like the deluxe edition is still on Amazon. Not horrifically expensive, but not cheap either.
Those are both incredible editions - I just purchased the Deluxe Edition and am waiting on delivery.
A solid, cheaper alternative (with Mazarbul pages) is this edition here. I own a copy, and it's lovely.
Personally, I'd recommend a one- or six-volume edition. But I'll assume you're looking for a three-volume edition. My dad has this version: http://www.hmhco.com/shop/books/the-lord-of-the-rings/9780395489321 It's a great one. fold out maps, great cover and box illustrations by Alan Lee.
This version looks really cool: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-hobbit-and-the-lord-of-the-rings-jrr-tolkien/1119268896?ean=9780544445789 Leather-bound and embossed covers.
I was looking at this version of the hobbit http://www.bookdepository.com/Hobbit-Classic-Hardback-Tolkien/9780261103283 I quite like the cover design being the original one, and it seems to have all the original illustrations. Is the text up to date though?
Also, do the Houghton Mifflin books have Tolkien's or Lee's illustrations? I believe they are the ones who did the anniversary editions.
This is a nice set if you want something for travel (kind of sounded like it):
https://www.amazon.se/dp/0544445783/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_i_2XVHR14RT9RZAV8Y47Z0
Here's another that's pretty cheap of your prefer hardcover:
https://www.amazon.se/dp/0008260184/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_i_M0Q2C1PAJQM3SNVPYH3M
I bought this LotR set https://www.harpercollins.com.au/9780007581146/the-lord-of-the-rings-boxed-set/ Under their dustjackets, they very closely match the three volume history of middle earth hard cover set https://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-History-of-Middle-earth/dp/0008259844?ref_=d6k_applink_bb_marketplace The differences aren't discerneable when vieuwed casually though. They have been an amazing addition to my collection! Even though I returned the Mifflin's, I still like the red eye of Sauron on the red covers.
I just purchased Artist & Illustrator recently and I'm pretty impressed so far. It has over 200 Tolkien illustrations, reprinted in colour, with a solid amount of commentary (from all of his works [including random sketches and doodles he drew that were not part of any of his books], not just the Legendarium). It's also a quite simply a great looking book - nice and big.
They mention that they take from "Pictures by JRRT" which only has a small amount of photos. They also worked directly with the Tolkien family including Christopher himself to procure the other pictures and illustrations they showed, which I don't believe are available elsewhere.
With that, and while I haven't viewed everything that's available, you really can't go wrong with A&I as a Tolkien companion book.
Edit - added more info
Hmm, interesting. I think that the language may be a bit different, but I also think you'd be able to understand 99.5% of a Latin American edition.
The "nicest" Spanish edition I could find was this one, illustrated by Allan Lee.
By the way, I also try to read Tolkien in different languages, it's a great way to learn and practice!
This is one of my favourite box sets: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lord-Rings-Boxed-Set/dp/0007581149/. But I agree that the Easton sets are real quality.
Amazon: Great Tales of Middle Earth
It's a great set. The books are smaller than the original hardbacks but I like that.
Not OP but it looks like the 2014 paperback edition from HarperCollins. On Amazon the three books in the photo is listed as "frequently bought together", which makes sense as their style and size matches.
As others have said recommended I'd start with Silmarillion first, though I'd also recommend picking up The Atlas of Middle-Earth to have close by so you can reference as needed when reading.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/1328557529/ref=sw_img_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
Where does this book fit into it? Is it also a part of this series? The ISBN is 978-1328557520 and the ISBN-10 is 1328557529
I can't vouch for the others but I have the 50th Anniversary Edition and it is amazing. Great build, quality paper and I am pretty sure it is Smyth sewn. I feel like it is the best of both for shelf display and reading copy as well. Though it does look too nice to be read it can be.
As for the ones you mentioned I have two books in the 2014 line (just not LOTR) and they are also great reading and shelf copies. I just don't think they look as good as the 50th Anniversary edition I mentioned.
Here's an older picture of my shelf before adding Fall of Numenor and Nature of Middle earth to get an idea.
I do, except I haven’t put them on the Silmarillion or numenor yet.
I had to make sure the slipcases were on the books very tightly and slide all the books in together to make them fit. It got better as I read the hobbit and the spine got broken in, though.
These are the covers I use:
30 Brodart Fold-On Archival Book... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XEWCY2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
reader's companion and atlas are good to go along books if she doesn't have any. I at least just love the more detailed maps found in atlas depicting some of the key events.
David Day's beastiary has some amazing illustration as well
Well I've heard that some of the lore found within it was not accurate? But I can't tell what those are out of the top of my head. I just recall reading it along the Unfinished Tales and Lord of the Rings trilogy back in the day. And found it extremely helpful.
Feel free to correct me in the comments what parts of his book are not accurate to the lore.
HarperCollins is releasing The People of Middle-earth on Kindle on December 25th.
With a US release expected "soon" after.
Allegedly, when we get the reissue of one-volume with updated matte dustjacket we're getting a Deluxe edition as well.
Amazon.co.uk (and a few other retailers) had a listing for it (with a different ISBN), however only Amazon.co.uk still has the listing, but the title has changed (the few details on the page are still there though) --so I guess only time will tell if we're actually getting a Deluxe version.
I got mine from Amazon UK, its 32% off! You can get it in book depository, Blackwells, Awesome Books and a bunch of other places :)
ISBN-13: 978-0008537906
9780008601409 is/was the ISBN for the Deluxe Edition -- though it's Amazon listing (the only place it had previously shown up) has pretty much been gutted so very much TBD at this point in my opinion...
>As for Letters it's been forever since we hard a hardcover edition of that book.
It's especially bad in Germany where we never even had one IIRC. And the current 2021 edition of that book still looks like mid-2000s design-wise...
​
I mean... 🤢
Personally, I'm only collecting 1 set of deluxe editions, more out of space than anything else. So I'm having all the standard deluxe like your shelf with the LOTR one, and then when an illustrated edition deluxe comes out, I replace it with that. So I sold my Silmarillion deluxe and replaced it with the illustrated deluxe as I prefer it in every way. You're going for a bit more of a completionist collection :)
So I'd recommend taking a look into the new Silmarillion edition with illustrations by the author. It matches the LOTR one you have on the right-hand side of the middle bookshelf. And yes, there is thedeluxe history of middle earth books, but it might be worth waiting to see if they release a new version for the anniversary.
The far left is the 1991 illustrated edition and the next is the Hobbit 50th Anniversary Edition
It’s the 1991 illustrated edition
Consider this one:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0618260587?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Excellent paper quality and binding.i originally purchased it to do a custom rebinding, putting all 3 volumes plus Hobbit together to make The Red Book of Westmarch but the paper is too heavy (and expensive), the binding too strong, and the cover and spine too lovely (that is without the dust jackets, though I love those too) for me to ever consider disassembly.
I got copies from Amazon Warehouse (listed under 'other sellers I think) for around $25 (because I was going to destroy their assembly) and even THOSE ALLEGEDLY DAMAGED 75% OFF COPIES WERE TOO GORGEOUS FOR ME TO EVER DISASSEMBLE THEM.
That’s my personal favorite set. Smyth-sewn and possibly cloth-bound as well (my older version is, at least)
Thank you a lot. That is unfortunate for the second set. I quite liked the old school vibe of the dust jackets. I will give the first set a go I think. Is the first set any different than the 2020 set with the hobbit: 9780008376109 https://www.amazon.de/-/en/J-R-Tolkien/dp/0008376107
I prefer this mass paperback release cover. It would be perfect without the amazon show logo printed on it or a least they should put a sticker on the cover so people can remove it.
https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Rings-Omnibus-Tie-Fellowship/dp/0063271265
I have a second printing of the of the UK 50th (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lord-Rings-50th-Anniversary-Deluxe/dp/0007182368) (printed by L.E.G.O.) and also the first printing of the 2021 illustrated (printed by Rotolito).
The UK 50th is plain, but much sturdier. The paper is more more solid feeling and the binding is much sturdier. However, I think later printings are printed in China, and I can't speak to their quality. LEGO in general has put out solid stuff be it for Harper Collins or Folio.
I bought it a couple of years ago from Amazon. https://www.amazon.it/gp/product/0261103628/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
ISBN-10: 0261103628
ISBN-13: 978-0261103627
I bought [photo 1] from amazon just a month ago so it may be worth a try there too, in your region.
Search for and then select the paperback version that says "new" and "ships and sold from Amazon" to have best chance of a matching cover.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/0261103628/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_AKD3WA90EPBQD2H9JG21
You're welcome.
The Lord of the Rings: A Reader’s Companion by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull would be another book I'd recommend if you were wanting to get a deeper dive and understanding when reading LotR but it does not have a kindle edition.
Same with The Annotated Hobbit, annotated Douglas A. Anderson.
So right now I would say this is the defacto set most people are recommending. It’s The Hobbit + The Lord of the Rings hardback boxed set with the most recent Alan Lee Illustrations. What’s great about this set is that the other books match the style, so you can get the Silm and Children of Hurin and Unfinished Tales and the others in the same style and they all match on your bookshelf (just make sure to get them all from the same publisher, either Harper Collins or Houghton Mifflin).
There is also this Houghton Mifflin set of LotR that is a very nice large size pretty with quality paper. I like these but the only other matching books are The Hobbit and the Silmarillion (and the Complete Guide the Middle-Earth if you can find it).
As far as portability goes I think you will have to sacrifice nice illustrated editions for portability, so kind of one or the other. Paperbacks are usually for portability.
The new Author illustrated editions are great but they don’t necessarily match sets of anything else out there right now.
Hope that helps a little bit!
It's the "popular" trend on reddit to hate on Amazon these days.
Though for me, the last straw with Amazon.co.uk (as a US resident) was when my The Hobbit Sketchbook & The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook arrived with a fair amount of damage to the slipcase and while Amazon.co.uk. They would issue a refund but I needed to ship the book back and they would only cover 1/8th of the cost needed to ship the book back.
And, to round out the trilogy, here's THE SILMARILLION! :)
If this exists in a one volume, this. Otherwise Im thinking about custom binding it with a matching copy of Hobbit in red to recreate 'the red book' as described in RotK.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0618260587?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
The Silmarillion definitely sounds like your next stop in Middle Earth. If you are keen on collecting most Middle Earth books then you might consider picking up what are sometimes called “The Great Tales” (Boxed Set) which are single volume editions of the most complete stories in the Silmarillion. In this way you would read the Silmarillion and say when you get to Chapter 19: Beren & Lúthien, you could switch over to the single volume edition and read it in its most complete studied form.
Beyond the Silmarillion and the Great Tales you go to Unfinished Tales which is pretty much gonna be it’s own book, not really boxed with anything. But after that is the really deep dive of the History of Middle-Earth (HoME) books which you can get a boxed 3-volume set. They are available individually as 12 separate volumes.
Hope that helps somewhat, please ask if you have anymore questions.
I think the recent deluxe edition (illustrated by Tolkien himself) is the top one for me. There were apparently a lot of printing errors, I was lucky to get a flawless first edition when they came out, so I'm really in love with mine. This is not a reading copy at all in my opinion (but one could debate about that), it's just a beautiful collectors copy for the shelf and to browse through once in a while. And they're releasing The Silmarillion in the same style this winter to continue this line, any hopefully will do the other books as well in the future.
Just so you know, the third one can be found on Amazon for around $30. Hold on
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0358653037/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
I just bought it last night after posting this when I saw how inexpensive it was!
I like the other two a lot. Thank you!
There is also a 49% discount on the HMH version (William Morrow) of History of Middle Earth (2020) on Amazon US ("only" 114.85 USD instead of 225.00 USD):
​
https://www.amazon.com/History-Middle-earth-Boxed-Set/dp/0358381746/
​
I will personally wait for a discount on the HarperCollins one to match my other books, but it might be of interest to some.
Great collection! I particularly love the style of the books on the left. This might sound like a silly question but why are those books so much thinner than the newer illustrated hardbacks? For example, the Unfinished Tales you’ve got on the left is way thinner than mine. Is it thinner paper or smaller text?
Great quality, feels important. But it's an older edition and mine is from the late '80s.
Also check out the new illustrated by the author edition: https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Rings-Illustrated-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0358653037/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2Z9S2IKZVDI56&keywords=lord+of+the+rings+book&qid=1656428668&sprefix=lord+of+the+rings+book%2Caps%2C130&sr=8-3
I've heard mixed things about the production quality of this one, but the idea is really cool and they look great.
The description says:
This deluxe slipcased edition contains the complete text, which is printed in two colours and features, for the very first time, more than 50 colour paintings, illustrations and designs drawn by J.R.R. Tolkien himself as he composed this epic work.
Unique to this edition are two poster-size, fold-out maps revealing all the detail of Beleriand as the tales grew, an illustrated booklet featuring ‘A Brief Account of The Silmarillion and its Making’ by Christopher Tolkien, and a printed art card reproducing ‘Taniquetil’.
It is additionally quarterbound in blue leather, with raised ribs on the spine, stamped in three foils on black cloth boards, and housed in a custom-built clothbound slipcase. The pages are edged in silver and include a ribbon marker.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0008537909?tag=tolkcollsguid-21&linkCode=osi
It was reported on social media by members of the Tolkien Collection Guide
I found another set and was wondering how good the quality of this set is? : Here
If you're only interested in Middle Earth, I would personally skip Tales from the Perilous Realm.
The upcoming Complete Guide however I would recommend:
I haven’t seen all editions of LOTR, obviously, but all of my copies have the same small maps. If you really want a good resource for tracking their travels, I’d recommend “The Atlas of Middle-earth” by Karen Wynn Fonstad.
The Atlas of Middle-Earth (Revised Edition) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0618126996/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_WV6A129ZBPV2JRDPXGEZ
I think that already exists though. The one below matches the current range of deluxe slipcase books. I haven't bought it as I'm waiting for the anniversary (2024 I think) to see if they do release a new illustrated edition set that matches the new illustrated slipcase edition
Nothing is wrong with 2nd edition but 3rd updated edition is going to be released sometimes in the future. Maybe this or next year. Nothing official yet.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Annotated-Hobbit-Third-J-Tolkien/dp/1328497593
Well my recommendation would be this one for a reading copy. Good surface texture to the cover. Creme paper. Do not remember how the maps are on this one. No illustrations to distract you.
https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Rings-Deluxe/dp/0544273443/ref=monarch\_sidesheet
Very nice! I love collecting this edition.
I keep the ones in the front in these brochure display holders. They fit like they were built for these books, it's amazing.
Yep, bags or shadow box cases are always options. I think small book bags do the job well. I personally haven't gone farther than using book bags or dust cover protectors.
Witchcraft paperback example. This book is somewhat thin and fits well. I think thicker paperbacks might have a harder time fitting in this size bag. I haven't bought any in awhile but the one I linked there should be good for most paperbacks.
HarperCollins standard hardcover
HarperCollins Deluxe Slipcased edition
No prices as yet but preorders will be live soon.
I am not holding these books so i'm not 100% on this but i've checked all the dimensions listed on amazon and
​
This copy of the Hobbit (from the UK Amazon specifically)
​
Seems to be the exact same size as
​
​
Both are the Harper Collins printings so i think the books will be identical next to each other but the art of the spine of that hobbit doesn't really look like it matches the other spines... I don't think there's one that truly matches those...
The best for reading and super cheap (in US at least) one volume edition is this one. Very well put together for the money you pay.
If it's all the same to you, I would strongly recommend a single-volume edition. [NO SPOILERS WILL FOLLOW]
It may seem arbitrary, but going into it with a full grasp of the idea that this is one long journey can feel much more rewarding overall and more inline with the author's vision where we take the story in six stages. So LOTR itself is divided into six 'books' within one, and reading with this mentality can provide a better experience. The trilogy mentality is kind of stupid, and tends to make people view it through the lens of a trilogy... then it's like "Part 3 was better than 2!" etc etc. But we shouldn't view it that way, and rather see it as six books make the whole, and each one is an important piece. If "Two Towers" is lacking in one's critical opinion, that's because it is. It's only parts three and four out of six.
And with one volume edition, you would have the convenience of having the index and the appendices for easy reference in the back of the book, which is very important <3
So if you're open to other options other than boxsets, it's for these main reasons that I strongly encourage readers to view LOTR as one book. And these are the ones that I own that fit your budget, so I can recommend them easily enough:
Hardcover:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0261103202/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_SVQC73H5MSBXH6607S7B
Paperback:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0618640150/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_KZYXQE52610NGVVBDABH
These do NOT include the Hobbit.
The book on its side is Middle-Earth: Journeys in Myth and Legend by Donato Giancola. It's big, and the imagery is stunning.
The readers companion is just the color it came as. I think this is it: The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hobbit-Lord-Rings-Boxed-Illustrated/dp/0008376107/ref=sr_1_15?crid=1JBQN8DACF5TT&keywords=Lord+of+the+rings&qid=1644855258&sprefix=lord+of+the+rings%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-15 These are printed in Europe as far as I know. Did not see any reports for these being printed in China. This is an excellent set with great reviews. Look it up on youtube.
I'm no scholar of Tolkien's work, for sure, but when I went out to purchase a copy of LotR, I chose one done by Douglas Anderson, author of The Annotated Hobbit. My reason for choosing it was because this edition makes a point of correcting errors that had crept into the text over time. I wanted to get as close to Tolkien's actual writing of it as I could.
https://www.amazon.com/Fellowship-Trilogy-Tolkien-Illustrator-Anderson/dp/B004H9AEBU
Love it! Is this the version you’re talking about?https://www.amazon.com/dp/7208125112/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_FV934Z3MMCQ7VDE8B2F3
And yeah, I can def show you what I have so far. It’s a modest collection but I’m quite happy with where it’s at. I’m in the middle of a move but I’ll be back with pictures as soon as I get them out of storage.
Oo good call, it is $10 cheaper than the bookdepository Amazon listing but with shipping to the US I imagine it will net out around the same.
Thanks I'll keep them in mind!
I like it!
​
I found it as a jigsaw puzzle with image reverse search and a poster, too - but that's sadly unavailable atm.
​
So Lay of Aotriou & Itroun is ME-related? What is it about?
​
And isn't Bilbo's Last song just ... well, a single song/poem? Is it illustrated or how comes it's a whole book?
​
I guess Tom Bombadil could play basically anywhere and apart from him and maybe Goldberry, no other ME characters appear?
​
Thanks for your answer. I currently devour all ME-content I can get my hands on
Unfinished Tales Illustrated Edition https://smile.amazon.com/dp/0358448921/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_VH9ACXK2EEVN8RG174AV?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
The Silmarillion https://smile.amazon.com/dp/0008433941/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_KYR14SYSSY9WDYRKY9Z1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Interesting, I’m learning something new! Maybe I’ll download those on my Kindle and give it a go. So, the LotR was actually only available on Amazon, which worried me at first, but it seems to be a legit edition and was delivered safely! I paid $95, but it looks like the price has about doubled since then The Lord of the Rings https://www.amazon.com/dp/0007182368/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_11H9PYTT1DMZYASQ2XDT?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-Earth https://www.amazon.com/dp/026110215X/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glc_i_YA6GDZJYVE4SHZTGMR0S
This is where I got them
See the "look inside" here. It looks extremely dry to me personally. Then again I could never get into The History of Middle Earth, so I imagine people who do would enjoy the Reader's Companion.
Yes, the disturbing astronaut wasn't meant to be "off", but once I realised it was, I found it too amusing to change! Is it butt cheeks or is it worse, I can't decide :) It was actually for a game than I wrote for fun Jetpac
I'm not a proper engineer, but I am a software engineer by trade (mostly mining/oil/gas industries). The graphic stuff is just for fun, though, as I enjoy playing with such things.
The deluxe editions is a good question; I think the difficulty with slipcased books is that there often isn't any spare room to fit a jacket. I did think about a jacket I'd like for the Silmarillion
I also did designs in similar vein for LOTR.
A warning about the mass paperback set: According to pretty much every review on Amazon, the photo is misleading. The Hobbit edition isn't the one shown that's the same style of the LotR set; in fact it's the movie tie in edition.
I contemplated buying this, but I didn't see a single review of someone who actually got what's shown in the photo. But if that doesn't bother you, go ahead.
P.S. I ended up getting this set. It's a bit more expensive but it's a matching set, it's not mass market, and the covers are classy and look better imo.
Consider Oathbringer, a book that I've read. It's 1328 pages and is just 544 grams. True, the text is a bit bigger, but they could still just shrink the pages to fit the size. The font would still be bigger than the one that's used in the pocket deluxe edition.
But I guess they don't think there's a market for it, otherwise it would exist. Oh well.
Personally I liked the 50th anniversary paperback. The print is a decent size, relatively clear, and the book is not (in my opinion) overly heavy or cumbersome. I like the way the paper feels and the cover art is also really nice.
Here is a link if you are in the US:
The Lord of the Rings: 50th Anniversary, One Vol. Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/0618640150/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_M7Y2GY1J5WYEGTBSZ52A
Found this on Facebook marketplace, here's the listing https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/666807747062527/ She wants $50 for both, but I just want The Silmarillion. She said she'd sell it separately for $25. Is that a good price? She claims it is a first American edition.
The single books are super nice for a collection, however it is VERY heavy if you actually want to read it. I have the folio ones and they're very nice, but the nicest to me are the illustrated editions here.
Plus because of the other Illustrated editions of various other Tolkien books they're an easy collectable too.
Good luck!
Great find. Congrats.
Your illustrated collection, you are missing one. The reprinted Tales from the Perilous Realm also fits with the books you have. Sowwy 😬
I would suggest the Alan Lee box-set that also includes the Hobbit, https://www.amazon.it/Hobbit-Lord-Rings-Boxed-Set/dp/0008376107/ref=sr_1_5?__mk_it_IT=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=150CRO9BXVOQC&keywords=lord+of+the+rings&qid=1637169965&qsid=259-4549496-2575309&sprefix=lord+o%2Caps%2C447&sr=8-5&sres=B07XJ7NNXH%2C0008471282%2CB07XGMWY72%2CB08DP1MLFT%2C0008376107%2CB0921LST24%2C0618640150%2CB0921XK3FY%2C0358439191%2CB0921XDS17%2CB004XKRO6Q%2C0395489326%2CB07WDZ5F1F%2C0358653037%2CB07WH4FQ3F%2C0261103563%2CB07WJ7LMQM%2CB08F2DK2QW%2C0261103253%2CB08F25BVZC&srpt=ABIS_BOOK
Yes! All books had solo publishing (not sure if geographically dependent or not).
Here's an amazon US listing for your reference:
The Hobbit Illustrated Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/0008376115/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_a_K8NV1JFERJVBAMA7352T
I see. Well, This one Does not have a picture, but is described as 1st American ed. hardcover.
That is a fair criticism that Rateliff himself was conscious of and why a leaner volume A Brief History of The Hobbit was produced too. It contains the manuscripts and a very brief commentary.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brief-History-Hobbit-John-Rateliff/dp/0007557256
I will say, even by everyday paperback standards, you could find something more visually appealing than that set. This set would be fine and easy enough to get ahold of.
hahaha no problem, my friend! Thank you for apologizing, you really earned my respect!
Through the years I noticed that many YouTube book reviews of Tolkien and other books helped me with purchase decisions, because we can actually look inside the editions before owning them.
I have so many books (of Tolkien and other authors) and comics, that recently I decided to do the same, and I am making videos flipping through all my stuff. Maybe it also helps someone trying to decide if they should purchase, or maybe present little known editions and publications for everyone =)
I'll also compare some Tolkien editions, as I realized that there's always a doubt whenever Tolkien fans try to decide between buying one of the two Pocket Deluxe editions of The Hobbit + The Lord of the Rings. I've never seen a video comprehensively comparing the editions.
I'm beginning with some small and old stuff, but be assured that I already pre ordered the new The Lord of the Rings Illustrated Edition with the art created by Tolkien himself, and as soon as I get it, there'll be a video! =)
https://www.amazon.es/dp/0544045521/ (change the .es for whatever and it should work) This is the one I got, although the reviews as usual are from 6283 different editions... I saw it in a video by sheer luck looking for a LOTR edition, the Amazon pics don't do justice. Here have it https://youtu.be/OS7L1xhTW4Y
Hello! I know it's days ago now but I just saw your post and had to recommend the one I just got:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0395177111/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It is absolutely beautiful and charming and I can't believe it's so inexpensive! Easy to hold and read, and looks lovely on the shelf. I liked it so much I sent my best friend a copy and she said it made her fall in love with the book all over again :-)
Yeah, I use the Brodart ones and they've worked well for me. There's multiple options - but I've found for the Harper Collins editions the 9" ones fit perfectly. I bought a roll of Brodart and just cut them to size for each book (link here). If you have taller/shorter book editions they sell covers that are different sizes or ones that you can fold down to size.
As for using them and fitting them in the box - the covers make it a lot tighter. The books are pretty snug in the box without any covers and the covers make it a lot harder to fit them all. I can get all but one in the box before it was so tight that I didn't feel comfortable forcing it (here's an example). Your mileage may vary and your box might have more "give" to fit them all in though.
If this is indeed the first paperback edition, the Amazon listing reads:
"Rich in wit and wordplay, Roverandom is edited and introduced by Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond and illustrated with Tolkien's own delightful drawings."
Here's the link: Roverandom https://www.amazon.com/dp/0395957990/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_KWW6XPPC7ZKXFG7XZ3FB?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Tried to dig up more info via Worldcat.org (https://www.worldcat.org/title/roverandom/oclc/1154406330&referer=brief_results).
The actual attribution for the covert art should be listed either on the title page or back cover, usually in small print. If it were a hardcover, I'd say to check on either one of the inner flaps, usually after the synopsis or brief author bio.
Nice find. Thanks for sharing.
If you order it BRAND NEW from Blackwells, Waterstones etc it'll very likely be the SIGURD AND GUDRUN-esque style. Buying through Amazon UK (either Amazon (leftover stock_ themselves or another seller) or Abe MAY get you older black (and very yucky looking) one https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fall-Arthur-J-R-Tolkien/dp/0007557302/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fall+of+arthur&qid=1630008465&s=books&sr=1-1 .
Please be aware: the two editions you linked in the last line of your post ("So:") do NOT match the rest in the series, in terms of height. Book Depository MAY have the black one up for the product page, as it's the same ISBN. There's been a few times (outside of Tolkien too) where if a cover design changes, yet the ISBN remains the same, the product image won't "catch up".
Agreed. That's actually just the head band, which is glued to the spine of the text block before the boards and cover material are set and affixed to it.
Unfortunate, but a simple repair with a glue intended for book binding (pH neutral, remains flexible when cured, etc.). I have used this product (different type of bottle [applied w/brush]) many times:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001I6FEHE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_BHAMWBS8AZJ11SHGF1JY
Structural concerns would arise if you see some of the signatures (groupings of pages that are sewn together, which are then all sewn to each other to form the text block of a book) loosening up, falling out, etc., or the shoulder hinges giving way and separating from the boards themselves.
As /u/spectacularobsessed mentioned, that ribbon is mostly for aesthetics and won't cause any problems. I've noticed similar problems on a couple of my own 2020 illustrated editions - originally I also got a set from Amazon but then switched to other retailers after I noticed it. Unfortunately, some of those also had the same problem so I don't think you can fully blame Amazon on that. It seems pretty hit and miss and probably just manufacturing errors in not adding enough glue or something.
You can return and re-order (and other shippers will probably ship safer than Amazon) but you can also DIY glue it back on with a very small amount of archival glue if you really want. I tried it on a burner copy of mine to test it out and it worked well (picture - for reference, at first it looked even worse than your picture with basically the entire ribbon not attached). I ended up using this glue and applying a small bit inside the cavity between the back of pages and the ribbon. Wanted to mention this since it's another option if the price difference on a re-order is too much to swallow.
