J.R.R. Tolkien, A Master!!!!

[Lurker]

Thanks. I'll see what I can find and maybe come up with a rough draft that everyone can add their two cents to.

[Lurker]

Here we go - looked at the UK bookstores and came up with this.
I need to do some serious bookshelf emptying and then buying!

27 April 2023 The Battle of Maldon

10 Nov 2022 The Silmarillion

10 Nov 2022 The Fall of Numenor : And Other Tales from the Second Age of Middle-Earth

14 Oct 2021 The Lord of the Rings Special deluxe edition

14 Oct 2021 The Lord of the Rings

02 Sep 2021 The Nature of Middle-earth

01 Oct 2020 Unfinished Tales (40th anniversary collector's edition)

30 Apr 2020 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

18 Oct 2019 Letters from Father Christmas

03 Sep 2018 The Fall of Gondolin

10 Jan 2018 The Complete History of Middle-earth

01 Jun 2017 Beren and Luthien

20 Oct 2016 The Story of Kullervo

22 May 2014 Beowulf : A Translation and Commentary

05 Dec 2013 Unfinished Tales of Numenor and Middle-Earth

23 May 2013 The Fall of Arthur

05 May 2009 The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun

17 Nov 2008 Tales from the Perilous Realm

10 Dec 2007 The J. R. R. Tolkien Collection

05 Nov 2007 The Silmarillion

16 May 2007 The Children of Hurin

18 Oct 2004 The Hobbit

18 Oct 2004 The Lord of the Rings

[St. Troy]

Fun project though - enjoy!

[Merlin1958]

Wow, the trailer for the Amazon Prime series, "The Rings of Power" looks pretty freaking awesome despite some apparent liberties with the source material.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCLoZI-FOYA

[Lurker]

Not a great picture taker. Got cases for my SILMARILLION and Unfinished Tales. Love them. Fit perfectly.

https://i.ibb.co/R6FbM5B/Tolkien-Cases.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/7kDykX1/Cases2.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/r5n0gxW/Cases3.jpg

[Hunchback Jack]

WOW. Love that.

[St. Troy]

Beautiful cases. Leather?

[Lurker]

Yep, leather. Felt inside with a pull thingy.

[Merlin1958]

Yep, leather. Felt inside with a pull thingy.

Sewn in book marker? lol lol



Truth be told, I love those things in books. lol

[St. Troy]

Folio Society has a new limited edition (1,000 copies) of LOTR; looks nice, but doesn't come cheap - $1,500.00: https://www.foliosociety.com/usa/the-lord-of-the-rings-limited-edition.html

Some specs:


Limited to 1,000 sets numbered and signed by Alan Lee 

Quarter-bound in leather with cloth sides blocked in silver and inset with illustration labels 

Circular limitation tip printed letterpress on Tintoretto paper hand tipped within a gold border 

Set in Dante with Testament as display  

1,504 pages in total over three volumes printed on Munken Pure paper 

Printed in black and burgundy throughout 

53 colour illustrations in total printed on Veltique paper tipped within printed borders 

57 illustrated chapter openers 

Endpapers printed with a design by the artist 

Also included is a Note on the Text by Douglas A. Anderson, a Note on the Revised Text by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull, Tolkien’s Foreword to the Second Edition and Prologue, as well as Appendices and Indexes.

Silver page tops 

Burgundy satin ribbon markers 

Two maps printed together in black and red and enclosed in a case covered in blocked cloth 

Hand-made cloth-covered slipcase blocked in silver and gunmetal with printed illustration inside 

12˝ × 7¾˝ 

Separate print presented in a folder of Pergamenata paper 


...and a video:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjtnDLt7ZSo

[Lurker]

Nice version, but a bit steep for me. Site says 145 left.

[St. Troy]

Gone. (I hope people here at least got to take a look).

[Hunchback Jack]

It's looks very nice, but at $1500 I passed. 1000 other people chose differently. :)

HBJ

[swintek]

As much a fan I am of the Alan Lee illustrated 3 volume LOTR sets- this was an instant HARD pass for me at $1500. Half that price would give me pause. I guess Folio will keep ramping up their prices on these Limited Editions as long as suckers (sorry, I mean "Collectors") lap them up and sell them out within hours. I'm still delightfully happy with my regular old $100 gorgeous oversize set- which I still consider one of the nicest set of books ever.

[ur2ndbiggestfan]

For the Hobbit fan who has just about everything, except...

https://camelotbooks.com/hobbit-menu.html

[Lurker]

Looks like The Silmarillion (http://https://www.bookdepository.com/Silmarillion-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780008537906?ref=grid-view&qid=1656879089520&sr=1-11) is this years slipcased edition.

https://i.ibb.co/jgcXsYM/9780008537906.jpg

[Br!an]

That link didn't work for me. This one works. (https://www.bookdepository.com/Silmarillion-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780008537906?ref=grid-view&qid=1656932148928&sr=1-11)

[Hunchback Jack]

There will be two other additions this year to the various slipcased deluxe series from Harpercollins:

The Complete Guide to Middle-earth:
https://d1w7fb2mkkr3kw.cloudfront.net/assets/images/book/lrg/9780/0085/9780008537821.jpg

The Fall of Numenor:
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSdAIabSAcJXZHUAVAo5p-4c688Qm-RbBHltx5mZ-2iXwgy4r5V

HBJ

[Merlin1958]

HBJ, you wouldn't have a link to those editions now would you? :smile:

[Hunchback Jack]

Apologies - I should have provided links in my original post. Here they are on Book Depository:

The Complete Guide to Middle-earth Deluxe: https://www.bookdepository.com/Complete-Guide-Middle-earth-Robert-Foster/9780008537821
The Fall of Numenor: https://www.bookdepository.com/Fall-Numenor-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780008537845

There are new trade editions of both of these titles, from HarperCollins, as well.

There's also a "non-deluxe" edition of the Tolkien-illustrated Silmarillion, above:
HarperCollins (UK): https://www.bookdepository.com/Silmarillion-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780008537890
William Morrow (US): https://www.bookdepository.com/Silmarillion-Illustrated-Edition-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780063280779

Blackwell's also has these editions listed for preorder (scroll down to see them):

https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/search?keyword=tolkien&pubDateFrom=2022&pubDateTo=2022&priceFrom=0&priceTo=500&sortValue=DateDesc

HBJ

[Merlin1958]

Apologies - I should have provided links in my original post. Here they are on Book Depository:

The Complete Guide to Middle-earth Deluxe: https://www.bookdepository.com/Complete-Guide-Middle-earth-Robert-Foster/9780008537821
The Fall of Numenor: https://www.bookdepository.com/Fall-Numenor-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780008537845

There are new trade editions of both of these titles, from HarperCollins, as well.

There's also a "non-deluxe" edition of the Tolkien-illustrated Silmarillion, above:
HarperCollins (UK): https://www.bookdepository.com/Silmarillion-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780008537890
William Morrow (US): https://www.bookdepository.com/Silmarillion-Illustrated-Edition-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780063280779

Blackwell's also has these editions listed for preorder (scroll down to see them):

https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/search?keyword=tolkien&pubDateFrom=2022&pubDateTo=2022&priceFrom=0&priceTo=500&sortValue=DateDesc

HBJ

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Lurker]

Great. I missed the The Fall of Numenor. Will have to get.

[Merlin1958]

Not exactly germane to this thread but, there is a new Teaser/Trailer out for "Rings of Power" on, Amazon and another due for the 15th I believe.

[Hunchback Jack]

Great. I missed the The Fall of Numenor. Will have to get.

It looks interesting, similar in nature to the Great Tales volumes.

HBJ

[mae]

Looking at some of the videos, these slipcased illustrated editions aren't that great looking. I prefer the way the standard deluxe editions look.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYLtNu-Z3Yg

[mae]

Great. I missed the The Fall of Numenor. Will have to get.

It’s coming in November, looks like I need to get it too, for my complete deluxe Middle Earth collection. I have The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, The Children of Hurin, Tales from the Perilous Realm, Unfinished Tales, The Fall of Gondolin, Beren and Luthien. Am I missing any?

[Merlin1958]

Looking at some of the videos, these slipcased illustrated editions aren't that great looking. I prefer the way the standard deluxe editions look.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYLtNu-Z3Yg

Geez IDK, Mae. Looks pretty fucking slick to me. Think I may get me one of those bad boys!


https://www.bookdepository.com/Lord-Rings-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780008471293

[Hunchback Jack]

I think the Deluxe LotR Edition is very nice and worth having. There’s also a trade edition with the same content.

Unfortunately, the deluxe edition was plagued with manufacturing issues in many copies. The print run was increased at the last minute. I think HC went to a few different printers and binders for the extras, and the quality was not up to scratch. My copy is okay, but it’s a bit of a crap shoot.

Hopefully the Silmarillion won’t have those sort of problems, and HC will plan for a bigger print run from the start.

Both the Lord of the rings and the Silmarillion editions have illustrations by Tolkien himself. They also have two color printing throughout. Well worth having, in my opinion.

HBJ

[Hunchback Jack]

Great. I missed the The Fall of Numenor. Will have to get.

It’s coming in November, looks like I need to get it too, for my complete deluxe Middle Earth collection. I have The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, The Children of Hurin, Tales from the Perilous Realm, Unfinished Tales, The Fall of Gondolin, Beren and Luthien. Am I missing any?

Mae, The Nature of Middle Earth was published last year.

https://d1w7fb2mkkr3kw.cloudfront.net/assets/images/book/lrg/9780/0084/9780008440572.jpg

https://www.bookdepository.com/Nature-Middle-earth-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780008440572

There is also a three volume deluxe slipcased edition of the history of middle earth.

HBJ

[mae]

Great. I missed the The Fall of Numenor. Will have to get.

It’s coming in November, looks like I need to get it too, for my complete deluxe Middle Earth collection. I have The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, The Children of Hurin, Tales from the Perilous Realm, Unfinished Tales, The Fall of Gondolin, Beren and Luthien. Am I missing any?

Mae, The Nature of Middle Earth was published last year.

https://d1w7fb2mkkr3kw.cloudfront.net/assets/images/book/lrg/9780/0084/9780008440572.jpg

https://www.bookdepository.com/Nature-Middle-earth-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780008440572

There is also a three volume deluxe slipcased edition of the history of middle earth.

HBJ

Yup, thanks! I should definitely pick that one up! Have you read Nature? I think I originally passed on it because it didn't seem like a needful thing, but reading up about it now and watching a video review, seems I really need it, as it sounds fascinating.

And I do have the three-volume History set, but the earlier non-deluxe dust-jacket edition, so it doesn't quite match the rest. Content-wise I don't think it's any different. And I believe even the binding is the same or similar.

On a related note, I'm surprised that Bilbo's Last Song has not been included in any of these ME deluxe editions.

[Br!an]

This search result might help...

Harper Collins, J.R.R. Tolkien, Deluxe Edition (https://www.bookdepository.com/search?searchTerm=deluxe+edition&searchTitle=&searchAuthor=+J.+R.+R.+Tolkien&searchPublisher=HarperCollins+Publishers&searchIsbn=&searchLang=&advanced=true)

[Hunchback Jack]

Yup, thanks! I should definitely pick that one up! Have you read Nature? I think I originally passed on it because it didn't seem like a needful thing, but reading up about it now and watching a video review, seems I really need it, as it sounds fascinating.


I've only leafed through it; it's on my TBR. Contents are very similar in nature (ha ha) to The Peoples Of Middle Earth - various latter-day essays and notes by Tolkien on aspects of Middle Earth, in his attempt to unify the mythology of the older Silmarillion with the later Lord of the Rings.


And I do have the three-volume History set, but the earlier non-deluxe dust-jacket edition, so it doesn't quite match the rest. Content-wise I don't think it's any different. And I believe even the binding is the same or similar.

I have both editions, and you're right - the contents are identical. The materials of the deluxe edition are slightly nicer than the older set, and it better matches the rest of the series, but it's definitely optional if you have the older set.

HBJ

[Hunchback Jack]

Lost Tolkien Manuscript FOUND: “Concerning… The Hoard” (https://www.theonering.net/torwp/2022/07/05/113503-lost-tolkien-manuscript-found-concerning-the-hoard)

[mae]

For Amazon Prime Day, they had two promos where you could try the Amazon Photos app and upload one picture to get a $20 credit, plus there was a second promo to get an additional $10 when you completed four actions by streaming a movie and a song on Prime, and getting a free ebook from Prime Reading, just basically trying out all the things Prime offers. So all in all $30 and I ordered the deluxe Nature of Middle-earth for $43! Very excited :panic:

[Hunchback Jack]

WOW, Mae! What a bargain. Nicely done.

[St. Troy]

Wondering if anyone has an opinion on this question: if the goal were to obtain a JRRT signature (on anything, doesn't have to be a book) as cheaply as possible, what would the likely floor (cost) be, and what types of items (if not a book)?

[Merlin1958]

Looking at some of the videos, these slipcased illustrated editions aren't that great looking. I prefer the way the standard deluxe editions look.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYLtNu-Z3Yg

Geez IDK, Mae. Looks pretty fucking slick to me. Think I may get me one of those bad boys!


https://www.bookdepository.com/Lord-Rings-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780008471293



Just arrived and I have to say a rather nicely done edition indeed. Last thing I needed was yet another edition of LOTR but, I'm glad I took the plunge. Very slick and handsome edition.

[Hunchback Jack]

Nice! Glad you got one, Bill.

(I’m also in the “don’t need another copy of lord of the rings” camp. But lately, HarperCollins have been releasing such nice editions, it’s hard to resist. I don’t really think of myself as a Tolkien collector, as such, but I seem to have acquired multiple copies of a number of his books.)

HBJ.

[mae]

I looked into the upcoming new deluxe edition of The Fall of Numenor and maybe I'm missing something but it seems to be a compilation of previous writings, no new writing actually included, so I think it's safe to skip if you have all the previous deluxe editions and History of ME.

[St. Troy]

I looked into the upcoming new deluxe edition of The Fall of Numenor and maybe I'm missing something but it seems to be a compilation of previous writings, no new writing actually included, so I think it's safe to skip if you have all the previous deluxe editions and History of ME.

I think this is how the "Great Tales" ones (The Children of Turin, Beren and Luthien, and The Fall of Gondolin) were recently (relatively) put together: with the aim of making the closest thing possible to a single, coherent narrative (story) from HOME, Silmarillion, and LOTR appendices.

These "assemblages" may not hold value for those who kept up (or caught up) with the existing sources, but those like me (I'm ashamed to admit), who still haven't gotten around to reading The Silmarillion or HOME, may like to read the Great Tales 3 and The Fall of Numenor first (as I plan to).

[swintek]

I looked into the upcoming new deluxe edition of The Fall of Numenor and maybe I'm missing something but it seems to be a compilation of previous writings, no new writing actually included, so I think it's safe to skip if you have all the previous deluxe editions and History of ME.

I think this is how the "Great Tales" ones (The Children of Turin, Beren and Luthien, and The Fall of Gondolin) were recently (relatively) put together: with the aim of making the closest thing possible to a single, coherent narrative (story) from HOME, Silmarillion, and LOTR appendices.

These "assemblages" may not hold value for those who kept up (or caught up) with the existing sources, but those like me (I'm ashamed to admit), who still haven't gotten around to reading The Silmarillion or HOME, may like to read the Great Tales 3 and The Fall of Numenor first (as I plan to).

This. And, do try and get back to THE SILMARILLION. As a wise Junior in high school saw me struggling with it when I was a freshman said: "The first bit is a bit like reading the bible: 'So and So begat So and So....' Just get past that and this incredible world opens up that will suck you in, and move you at least as much- if not more- than The Lord of the Rings.". He was dead on. It's amazing once you get past the beginning matter. I always said that Peter Jackson should have followed up LOTR with THE SILMARILLION, not The Hobbit -I know GDT was supposed to do it initially, but still- I wish we could've had Jackson & Walsh's take on The First Age.

[Hunchback Jack]

As someone who has read the Silmarillion, unfinished tales, and the history of middle earth, I still enjoy these assembled narratives for what they are. It is nice to experience the stories in a longer, more complete form, rather than in either the much abbreviated version in the Silmarillion, or the incomplete expanded versions in other sources.

I think The Children of Hurin was the most successful example of this, but the other two Great Tales were quite enjoyable as well. True, you could assemble this text yourself from the various sources, but I find value in having them assembled in one volume with accompanying commentary.

I’m looking forward to the Fall of Numenor, as I’m hoping it will have more than just the material in the Silmarillion and unfinished tales. There are some tangential tales from the history of middle earth, but I’m hoping there may be some more genuine second age material that has yet to be revealed.

Needless to say, it’s a great shame that Christopher Tolkien himself could not have edited it. While I do welcome these new volumes of curated material, I think his loss will be acutely felt while reading them.

HBJ

[herbertwest]

Looking at some of the videos, these slipcased illustrated editions aren't that great looking. I prefer the way the standard deluxe editions look.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYLtNu-Z3Yg

Geez IDK, Mae. Looks pretty fucking slick to me. Think I may get me one of those bad boys!


https://www.bookdepository.com/Lord-Rings-J-R-R-Tolkien/9780008471293



Just arrived and I have to say a rather nicely done edition indeed. Last thing I needed was yet another edition of LOTR but, I'm glad I took the plunge. Very slick and handsome edition.

From the video, I love the golden eges and the decorated other edges !

[mae]

As someone who has read the Silmarillion, unfinished tales, and the history of middle earth, I still enjoy these assembled narratives for what they are. It is nice to experience the stories in a longer, more complete form, rather than in either the much abbreviated version in the Silmarillion, or the incomplete expanded versions in other sources.

I think The Children of Hurin was the most successful example of this, but the other two Great Tales were quite enjoyable as well. True, you could assemble this text yourself from the various sources, but I find value in having them assembled in one volume with accompanying commentary.

I’m looking forward to the Fall of Numenor, as I’m hoping it will have more than just the material in the Silmarillion and unfinished tales. There are some tangential tales from the history of middle earth, but I’m hoping there may be some more genuine second age material that has yet to be revealed.

Needless to say, it’s a great shame that Christopher Tolkien himself could not have edited it. While I do welcome these new volumes of curated material, I think his loss will be acutely felt while reading them.

HBJ

What I meant was that these previous books all had expanded material that was previously unpublished, even if it covered the same stories and ideas. The Fall of Numenor sounds like it won't have anything exclusive, unless I'm reading the press release wrong.

[St. Troy]

...do try and get back to THE SILMARILLION.

I'm definitely going to at some point; I own that, as well as HOME and The Nature of Middle-earth, and I'll eventually hit it all.

[St. Troy]

...these previous books all had expanded material that was previously unpublished...

That I did not know (good to know).

[craigobau]

Are we expecting a new deluxe edition of The Hobbit next year in the same slipcase format as the upcoming Silmarillion release and LOTR deluxe from 2021?

Thanks

[ur2ndbiggestfan]

Probably of limited interest, but what the Hobbit:

https://wbshop.com/collections/books/products/lord-of-the-rings-illustrated-hardcover-50th-anniversary-edition

[Stockerlone]

If you are looking for something small for your Tolkien collection, in an older UK fairy tale stamp series was a Tolkien stamp.

Fairy Tale stamps
http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/742/PICT0678.JPG


Tolkien stamp
http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/742/PICT0680.JPG

[ur2ndbiggestfan]

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-lord-of-the-rings-j-r-r-tolkien/1141048818?ean=9780063274730&dpid=tds3rjqdu&mi_ecmp=d301e4b0-94f1-4b3f-b207-3e22ba36f3c5&sourceId=J000003829&sid=MBR&st=EML&2sid=220922_MP_MBR_MEMBER_LOTR&mi_u=b6805098-7055-5cd9-aa68-8b14a90f9cb3&hConversionEventId=AQEAAZQF2gAmdjYwMDAwMDE4My02NjI 1LTQ5MjctYmIzZS0xNGY0YmJlNWM4OTjaACRkMzAxZTRiMC05N GYxLTRiM2YtMDAwMC0wMjFlZjNhMGJjY2XaACQxZWQ2OWExMy1 jZGM2LTRhNzUtOTc4Ni1kN2VkNzAxMjFhOWZn8-sSp903KIjBSCU1H0EX6DIL7du-T0HLDlJTfCncgQ

[St. Troy]

Sets of Brazilian HOME hardcovers will be released in November:


For the first time The History of Middle-earth it's being translated to portuguese and will start to be released in November of 2022 in Brazil. The volumes are coming in four box sets, the first box contains volumes 1 and 2, the second will come with volume 3 to 5, the third with volumes 6 to 9 and the last with volumes 10 to 12. Each book will have a dedicated index at the end. The books have hardcover with illustrations of John Howe on it.

Pics are in the post in which I found this news:

https://www.tolkienguide.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?post_id=42710#forumpost42710

No word yet on whether a similar set would be done in English, which would be great (except that I sprang for the 3-volume hardcover set not too long ago and would feel like a chump replacing it so soon).

[Lurker]

Interesting article in the October Smithsonian Magazine about Tolkien and new book.

"HAUNTED BY THE APPROACH OF ANOTHER WORLD WAR, THE AUTHOR OF THE LORD OF THE RINGS CREATED A NEW STORY OF MIDDLE-EARTH THAT FEW PEOPLE EVEN KNEW ABOUT—UNTIL NOW"

[Hunchback Jack]

Interesting article in the October Smithsonian Magazine about Tolkien and new book.

"HAUNTED BY THE APPROACH OF ANOTHER WORLD WAR, THE AUTHOR OF THE LORD OF THE RINGS CREATED A NEW STORY OF MIDDLE-EARTH THAT FEW PEOPLE EVEN KNEW ABOUT—UNTIL NOW"

Full article here (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/jrr-tolkien-write-stories-rings-power-180980686/).

HBJ

[Stockerlone]

Something older from my LOTR collection

The Lord of the Rings
Limited Collectors Edition / Illustrated LPs
Original Soundtrack Leonard Rosenman
http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/742/PICT0698.JPG
http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/742/PICT0700.JPG
http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/742/PICT0699.JPG

[Alec]

Lovely to see Frank.
Very desirable and highly collectible.
Congratulations.

[OldCrow88]

Very cool LPs!

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_OkEakKkz4

[Hunchback Jack]

I’ve been reading The Fall of Numenor, and I have to say I think it’s really worth getting and reading. It takes second age tales from a number of different sources, and assembles them into a chronological narrative. It even includes some snippets from the recently released nature of middle earth, and is annotated in many places by Tolkien’s own explanation from letters, etc.

So while, strictly speaking, there is “no new material”, I think there’s a lot of value in placing these works and explanations in context, chronologically.

Personally, too, while I have read The Lord of the Rings Appendices, the Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, The History of Middle-Earth, and the Letters, I did so over a stretch of *many* years. Piecing together the relevant second age passages and reading them all at the same time brings much clearer understanding.

HBJ

[swintek]

Thanks for that well-thought breakdown above, HBJ. Good to hear as I was on the fence on even getting it. I definitely will now. Not related, but since I'm here- I did just order the Deluxe Silmarillion (to replace my old, Christopher Tolkien signed copy I just sold), and am hoping it doesn't have any of the problems that last years LotR's had. Anybody get this? Any issues?

[Merlin1958]

I’ve been reading The Fall of Numenor, and I have to say I think it’s really worth getting and reading. It takes second age tales from a number of different sources, and assembles them into a chronological narrative. It even includes some snippets from the recently released nature of middle earth, and is annotated in many places by Tolkien’s own explanation from letters, etc.

So while, strictly speaking, there is “no new material”, I think there’s a lot of value in placing these works and explanations in context, chronologically.

Personally, too, while I have read The Lord of the Rings Appendices, the Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, The History of Middle-Earth, and the Letters, I did so over a stretch of *many* years. Piecing together the relevant second age passages and reading them all at the same time brings much clearer understanding.

HBJ

Think I may take you up on that suggestion

[mae]

Thanks for that well-thought breakdown above, HBJ. Good to hear as I was on the fence on even getting it. I definitely will now. Not related, but since I'm here- I did just order the Deluxe Silmarillion (to replace my old, Christopher Tolkien signed copy I just sold), and am hoping it doesn't have any of the problems that last years LotR's had. Anybody get this? Any issues?

Speaking of:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGho2H9QcLw

[Hunchback Jack]

I’ve been reading The Fall of Numenor, and I have to say I think it’s really worth getting and reading.

... snip ...

HBJ

Think I may take you up on that suggestion

I'm really enjoying it. I will say, too, that reading the HC trade edition is very nice indeed. It has the two-colour printing and heavier paper stock of the recent "illustrated" LotR, Sil and UT. Pretty classy.

Interestingly, the deluxe slipcased edition is less of an upgrade from the trade than usual, because the trade edition materials are so good. I think both editions may share the same page block, in fact. Less reason to get the deluxe? ... Maybe. Less reason to read it, certainly.



The contents are pretty interesting. It's not just the previous works dropped unchanged into the new book at the appropriate place in the history. There's a fair bit of that, but some passages are assembled from different Tolkien sources by Sibley - always meticulously footnoted - and there are some short pieces of connective text written by Sibley based on material in letters etc. Wherever possible, Sibley has retained Tolkien's words unchanged, and he always distinguishes his own connective text using different font size and indenting.

So there are some definite editorial decisions being made, but Sibley is absolutely respecting the original material over all else, and meticulously documenting those decisions.

The one reservation I have about the work is that some of the passages contain material from sources written at very different points in time - and at different stages in the development of the broader mythology - within the same cohesive narrative. I do sometimes wonder if placing them side-by-side quite captures Tolkien's intent. Christopher Tolkien is sorely missed here.

Having said that, no one is more aware of the enormity of the shoes he's filling than Sibley himself. It's easy for me to Monday-morning quarterback; Sibley has the right attitude - and editorial deftness - for this kind of work.



HBJ

[swintek]

Received the DELUXE SILMARILLION (that mae posted the video review for above), and it is really a gorgeous production. The paper seems a lot better than last years LOTR, and I can't find any issues at all. Very happy to add it to the collection.

[Hunchback Jack]

More Tolkien-related releases next March/April, including 2 new deluxe editions!

The Battle of Maldon: Standard (https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0008465827)

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51LmZ77vQ3L._SX318_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

The Batte of Maldon: Deluxe (https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0008465835)

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/310z+ON2nsL._SX277_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

The History of the Hobbit, Standard (reprint) (https://www.amazon.co.uk/History-Hobbit-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0007440820)

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51OlziH5h+L._SX320_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

The History of the Hobbit, Deluxe (https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0008601402)

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41NaSqfYnRL._SX320_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

HBJ

[Stockerlone]

One of the nicest Tolkien books i own...

J.R.R.Tolkiens Fantastische Welt
illiustrated from 11 diff. artists
http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/742/PICT0752.JPG
http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/742/PICT0753.JPG
http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/742/PICT0754.JPG
http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/742/PICT0755.JPG

[Br!an]

When independent book sellers list books, I often will check online pricing to compare offers.

Dark Regions Press is offering: The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien (Tolkien Illustrated Editions) (SHORT-TERM PREORDER) $90.00 (list price)

Amazon's price? $39.19 shipped. That's less than the $45 I paid 2 1/2 years ago for this edition.

I understand he can ask whatever he wants for his books but how is this a preorder?

[St. Troy]

Are they definitely the same edition? I think some of the recent (last 5 years or so) Tolkien titles have simultaneously (or nearly) published a somewhat deluxe edition for near $100 and a more ordinary hardcover for around $30.

[Br!an]

Are they definitely the same edition? I think some of the recent (last 5 years or so) Tolkien titles have simultaneously (or nearly) published a somewhat deluxe edition for near $100 and a more ordinary hardcover for around $30.

They are definitely the same edition. The link to Amazon from the Harper Collins page (https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-lord-of-the-rings-illustrated-j-r-r-tolkien?variant=40424996536354) brings you to this item.

He has The Hobbit too at $75 (list price) while Amazon is $42.95.

eBay prices are slightly higher than Amazon.

Pictures are links.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1858/2313/files/71TXGUq29vL._SL1500_600x600.jpg?v=1710785210 (https://darkregions.com/collections/all-products/products/the-lord-of-the-rings-tolkien-illustrated-editions-short-term-preorder)
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81InoQC18SL._SL1500_.jpg (https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Rings-Illustrated-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0358653037)
https://darkregions.com/cdn/shop/files/81yRO9J8BRL._SL1500_2048x.jpg?v=1710785515 (https://darkregions.com/collections/all-products/products/the-hobbit-by-j-r-r-tolkien-tolkien-illustrated-editions-short-term-preorder)
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71qJNwA34YL._SL1500_.jpg (https://www.amazon.com/Hobbit-Illustrated-Author-Tolkien-Editions/dp/0063347539)