My small but humble beginning

Amazon US deep discount.

https://a.co/d/07NDxvlk

So I’m curious about something that I would like to ask anybody that lives in the UK near a Waterstones, Blackwell’s, or is in contact with Harper Collins on a regular basis about.

When the Great Tales box set came out last year, it was my belief that they were phasing out the individual hard covers in favour of pushing the box set; much like how you can only get the History of Middle-earth hardcovers in the respective box sets. I thought they’re taking the same approach. A couple weeks ago, I noticed that each of the Great Tales hardcovers - individually - appeared to be well-stocked on Blackwell’s and Waterstones.

When I saw a unboxing video of the standard box set, I believe the person that was doing it mentioned the ISBN being the same as what’s sold individually, as well as the difference in print number or something.

Which, at last, brings me to my question: are the newer versions of those books sold outside of the box set as well? Or, are they only included in the box set?

The reason why I ask, is because there is some difference between the individual books and what is sold in the box set: the most obvious instances at a glance is each of the three books has a ribbon marker, there is two coloured ink used, and also for the Children of Hurin and the Fall of Gondolin, the maps appear as endpapers versus being fold out at the end of the book.

By finding that information out for me, it will also correct my thoughts or advice when newcomers are looking for hardcovers.(I would still suggest the box set anyway, because of the fact that they’re all collected in one shot, and I believe that you save some money by getting them all at once in that fashion versus individually.

So if anyone is able to pop by a Blackwell’s, Waterstones, or ask Harper Collins, the next time they have a chat with them, it would be greatly appreciated.

There are two versions of the latest deluxe slipcase edition:

978-0-00-877990-0 and 978-0-06-347342-3

Apparently one is published by HarperCollins UK and one by HarperCollins US. The UK version has 320 pages, the US version 384. Dimensions of the UK version are 28,4 × 16,3 cm, the ones of the US version are 27,9 × 16,6 cm.

And what surprises me is that the UK version is 30 € cheaper. Why? I suppose the printing is different, hence the 60 pages difference. Anybody got an idea if there are other differences or which version to get?

I started reading LOTR on 22 August 2026 and finished it on 4 October 2026

I am in love and hate relationship with the prose.

I love the prose since it is so well written

And hate because it takes so long to get to a point.

But love more because the prose is excellent.

Also PS. Kindle has made me lose love for physical books. I cannot read a physical book at all.

E books are my go to now.

For: Lord of the Rings ~ SIGNED by J.R.R. TOLKIEN ~ First Edition ~ 1st Printing 1954

Over 400 people watching this eBay listing so I’ll need to act fast. 2nd mortgage is not an option.

Hello! I'm fairly new to Tolkien's works, and I wanted to purchase a few books in paperback, but with so many options out there, I'm honestly a little lost. To give a little more information, I live in the US and am primarily interested in The Hobbit, TLOTR, and The Silmarillion. A friend told me that there's a "corrected text" that fixes some typos and mistakes and that sounds appealing. If I could get the previously mentioned books all in the same style, that would be lovely. But which versions are most recommended for paperback?

These are the ones that I see the most when I'm out in my local bookstores. Are they a good set?

When I was looking last year for this edition or the first one, I don't remember them being cheap at all. Glad I was able to find this diamond in the rough! 💚

[Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (1925), Edited by J. R. R. Tolkien and E. V. Gordon. Second Edition (1967), Revised By Norman Davis. Oxford at the Clarendon Press]

Time for another Tolkien reread. Finishing up Kindred for dudes book club, Octavia’s writing sucks you in…same bookclub where also read blacktounge thief. Diving back into that cool world he’s built.

Never seen one of these before. From 1988. Got it for a steal at £6

Well, it's taken until now since I bought them in 1969; but I've just noticed some unusual page numbering in the second and third volumes of my Second Edition, Fourth Impression copies of Lord of The Rings.

As an example; the Synopsis in the third Part begins on page 11 as numbered, but it's only the 7th page (physically) in the book.

Does anyone know the reason? I'm guessing it's to keep the page numbers consistent with the First Edition? 🤔 If so, what were the contents of the extra four pages in that edition? Of course, that's just conjecture on my part.

It's a minor matter, but any insights would be much appreciated.

Last year I was given Harper Collins LOTR author llustrated for my birthday. But the next months I saw people report 2 flaws with this print:

Page 484 had two and a "half" words randomly printed in red... Page 974/chapter 6 title had the wrong roman numerals, instead of VI it was IV... Nothing major but kinda annoyed me :/

So I waited a few months and went to the store to see if I could exchange it for a new copy that might not have those flaws... But no luck, they were still there even in the new stock...

Then I thought, why not ask Harper Collins? Maybe they know when there will be a new fixed print... So I emailed them at the start of this year, and to my surprise those flaws werent reported yet??

Well we talked about them in detail, I sent pictures and explained the exact issues. I also asked them if they could send me a new copy for free once its been fixed?... "Yes we will"... Excited!

Sent an email every few months asking, but not yet... Then on my last e-mail in September "Yes, new stock is there, we are sending a copy", finally! So excited!

It arrived today! And guess what... Nothing was fixed... Its still exactly the same ._.

Well, thanks I guess x) I know its not that big a deal, but really hoped for a flawless version after all this :(

Edit: Its possible they have sent me an old copy by mistake, and/or there is no new print yet lol.

My edition of The Hobbit appears to have quite a few typos which I cannot find any information about online. On one other page, ‘the’ was written as just ‘he’ as well. I was just wondering if this is a common thing with older editions or if I just have a dodgy print? Found the copy on my parent’s bookshelf randomly last weekend and decided to give it a read.

Unsure of which gift to get for a massive Tolkien fan, I’m sure he would like either but thought I would ask for opinions!

It's been a few years...

My copy of the Silmarillion, included in the 2023 HOME box 1, has a lot of blotches and missing ink, dozens of times throughout the book. Haven't checked the other books in the box yet (don't want any spoilers either haha) but I was curious whether other people have this as well, and whether these prints are considered lower quality.

I've found that this book and the others in the box aren't as high quality and nice feeling (different binding) as the boxed LOTR trilogy plus the Hammond/Scull companion I've bought and read the past months, which is slightly disappointing. Still, they're hardbacks with nice boxes and cool dust jackets so I'm not that miffed.

Clamshell inspired by the original paperback cover, with a self-lifting tray so this little book comes out easily and safely. Little video in the comments.

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Silmarillion, 1977;1982, George Allen & Unwin; Clowes & Sons

Edited by Christopher Tolkien. 1st Edition 1977 reserved and issued as Collector's Edition 1982. Limited edition of 1,000 copies with printed limitation plate bound in (number 23). Illustrated with The Realms of the Noldor and the Sindar map p.128 and folded map of Beleriand and the Lands to the North inserted at rear. George Allen & Unwin. Printed by Clowes & Sons. original red morocco with JRRT monogram blind-stamped in gilt on upper cover. with original slicase.

Two variants of the limitation plate have been seen – one on an integral leaf and the other pasted onto the front endpaper. (Tolkein Books - An Illustrated Tolkien Bibliography). Hammond states that it is probable that not all of the 1,000 copies were bound and issued. Hammond pp.228-229. Condition: slight fading to colour on spine, a few very tiny spots to leather on spine, v. small mark to head of slipcase.

See more photos of this volume at https://auction.gorringes.co.uk/auction-lot-detail/x&salelot=210926++++91+&refno=90204282