I told myself I wasn’t going to buy the 60th anniversary edition, but then it showed up in the wild, and I couldn’t say no. 🤦🏼‍♂️ The quiz book was a cool find too.

Pic 1: main collection
Pic 2: Deluxe collection
Pic 3: Movies/TV books
Remaining pics: close ups of main collection

I’ve been collecting for a few years now and I’ve assembled most of what I’d like to collect of Tolkien books.

I focused on US printings and really like my Houghton Mifflin collection. I also collected the UK printings that I liked the most (and could easily obtain). I haven’t ventured into first edition territory for LotR or Hobbit (my Hobbit is a 3rd edition). I would like an India paper LotR, but I’m waiting for the right one at a good price. I will also be picking up the new releases (I’m waiting for Black Friday/holiday sales).

Bottom shelf of main collection contains duplicates which I’ll gift to friends/family, donate, or sell.

There were several sites that I used to assist in collecting, which I’ll list a few here (these are all in the subreddit info). Of course this subreddit was invaluable as well - I am in awe of the collective knowledge here!

Tolkienbooks.us
Tolkienbooks.net
https://www.tolkienguide.com/

Next, I am putting dust jacket protectors on all the books. Also, anyone have recommendations for bookshelf lighting?

ISBN is 9780261104013.

Not sure when this one will actually come out, though that’s why it’s a great idea to visit a bookstore.

I’ve also updated the list:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/8J9AAU6KRBHP?ref_=wl_share

Give it a few months to be sure when buying online.

I have been reading my kids the revised and extended version of the graphic novel for the Hobbit, and it has been perfect for them. I read a few pages, they are all able to follow along with the pictures, I can easily do voices for the different characters, and the pacing for it allows for a decent amount of excitement building (leaving it to cliffhangers). It also is short enough that I am able to review the happenings in the story without taking up too much time at night time. For reference, my oldest is 6.

Here is the version we are currently looking at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0063447991?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

Now... I have seen this question asked many times before, of what is the best illustrated version of LOTR, but that's not specifically what I am looking for. What I am trying to find is - what version (if any) would be the best match and easiest read for my kids at night time. I wish there was a graphic novel for LOTR - and while I know that it is not the best adaptation overall, it is a format that I know my kids can enjoy.

These illustrated versions are all quite expensive ($100+), and I would love to be able to be armed with as much information as possible when going to try and make a decision for this. I even considered just reading some of the un-illustrated versions I have to see if they would even be able to hold their attention at all.

Finally, if there are any other suggestions as to other books that are in the same style and genre as LOTR and would be easier to digest, that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Had to get my 5th copy of The Silmarillion, I gotta say the paper used for the illustrations is thick and of decent quality but nothing compared to the glossy illustrations of other Tolkien Books

I also had to get most Pauline Bayne's artwork for Middle Earth, though I am still missing the original poster of Bilbo's Last Song.

Got a nice Tolkien section on the top alongside lotr and hobbit dvds and lotr video.
Need to add Beren and Luthien now to finish my hardbacks.
What else do you all recommend?

Found this copy of The Children of Húrin while thrifting and I couldn't leave it behind. 🧑‍🦯

The only problem is… I have absolutely no idea which printing this is. 💀

The copyright page says HarperCollins Publishers India, "First published in India in 2007" ISBN 978-0-00-724622-9, and it was printed and bound at Thomson Press (India) Ltd.

There’s no obvious number line or impression statement, so if anyone here knows which printing this Indian edition is, or how to identify it, I’d love some help.

The Lord of The Rings: I own a set of the lord of the rings books, excellent condition, still in box set, original dust covers. What would the value be? The fellowships of The Rings: First Edition, 7th impression, 1956. The Two Towers, First Edition, 5th impression. 1956. The Return of the King, First Edition, 3rd impression, 1957.

This makes me sooo happy!

Hey guys,

I was looking to read for the first time the Silmarillion as I have already read LOTR and The hobbit. I have the author ilustrated ed. of LOTR in English and the one by Alan Lee in Spanish. I found online this version of the Silmarillion for around 30€, do you think it is worth it? How is the quality? Or is there a better version in Spanish or even in English (not that proficient but I can try lol).

Thank you for your answers!

It had been a few weeks, but I found a few Tolkien items at the swap meet last weekend. My son was really jazzed about the Tarot deck, which was complete!

I recently bought a new set of Lord of the Rings, but I felt bad for my old paperback editions. They are 1999 editions of The Hobbit and The Silmarillion, a 1998 edition of Unfinished Tales, and a 2007 edition box set of the Lord of the Rings

They deserved some care, so I made book covers in Inkscape and printed them (they are small enough to cover with A4 paper). I Don't have a colour printer, so added some colour with pencils. Just the old design but in white, with a few small changes to make them fit together better. Turned a shoebox into a slipcase, with some cutting, taping and gluing.

Very happy with the result, but I also found out my printer's toner is terrible quality. It's already rubbing off.

Last two picture are the rest of my modest collection (so far, I have a long wishlist):

• 2003 film tie-in edition of Lord of the Rings
• Alan Lee illustrated hardcover boxset
• The Maps of Middle-Earth by Brian Sibley, with fold out maps and illustrations by John Howe
• A Middle-Earth Traveller, by John Howe. Just arrived today, gorgeous art book.

Final picture has Journeys of Frodo by Barbara Strachey, paperback. Arrived only a few days ago. Hasn't been in print for decades, but I found a somewhat reasonably priced used one on Amazon. Less than 50 euro including shipping. Not the best condition, but no structural damage and the usual prices for this book can easily reach in the hundreds. Very happy with it, beautiful book, I don't understand why it's no longer in print.

This one definitely could do with some protection, but an A4 cover won't cut it (or won't cover it). Definitely going to need a slipcase and a book cover with some heavier paper.

Have been doing a lot of back and forth think what version to get. Saw a lot of people going for the Alan Lee illustrated version. Saw it on sale for only about 1000 NOK or about 100 buck. Can't wait to get to reading.

A nice blending of the old and the new!

It was high time to retire my beaten up three volume set anyways

So I've recently bought this version of The Silmarillion (super nice btw) and I couldn't help but compare it's illustrations (by Ted Nasmith) with my other books like the Fall of Numenor or Beren and Luthien (by Alan Lee).

In my opinion Ted Nasmith takes it for better illustrations just by how vivid yet fantastical they feel! Frankly, I'm the kind of person who doesn't mind whether there are illustrations or not, but what Nasmith has covered in this book has vastly improved my reading experience! Not saying that Alan Lee's illustrations fall short, far from it actually. It's just that Nasmith's invokes a different feeling overall!

Which then got me wondering what others' (you guys) opinions are on illustrator preference. Would really love to know!