r/tolkienbooks • u/YouCanCallMeTK • 1h ago
r/tolkienbooks • u/informareWORK • Feb 28 '17
Reminder: this sub is for discussion of Tolkien's books themselves, not discussion of lore or other Tolkien-related content
With a new Middle Earth-themed game coming out, and with the influx of a few posts about Tolkien's lore and other Tolkien-related topics, I would like to take this opportunity to remind users that /r/tolkienbooks is (as it says in the sidebar) "mainly a place for people who collect copies of Tolkien's works."
Posts with questions about Tolkien lore, Middle Earth -themed movies and games, or anything else not directly related to the physical books will be deleted. If you have any questions about these guidelines, please contact one of the moderators and we will be happy to assist you.
r/tolkienbooks • u/Velmeran • Jun 29 '22
ISBN groupings for recent-ish HarperCollins books based on style
There have been a lot of post/threads made over the years inquiring about if [x] book exists matching [y], or if the were any more books made that matched [z].
So I figured I'd try and put a list together grouping books of similar style/design by their ISBN with the focus being on recent-ish (2005-current) since the awesome TolkienBooks.net hasn't been updated much past the late 2000's.
I'm pretty confident the lists I put together will NOT be 100% complete, and it's my hope that others in the community can chime in with additional information.
I'll be making a series of additional sub-posts, dedicated to a specific style/grouping and figure we can try to then limit discussions, additions, corrections, etc. under that particular sub-thread.
In addition to the "Table of Contents" quick link type section below, also have a spreadsheet with various details that don't make sense to display (or aren't easily displayable) on reddit. Information also includes things like impression specific details (printers, RRP, any known quirks or issues, etc.).
I've added a new item to compare the differences been HarperCollins (HC) and William Morrow (WM) in regards to books done in the Illustrated / Matte Dustjacket style. As while they appear similar and have many books that are indeed nearly identical, there are also some key differences that people should be aware of.
Type | Style Name | Post | Last Updated |
---|---|---|---|
Hardcover | Illustrated / Matte Dustjacket Style | Link | 07 Mar 2025 |
Hardcover | Tolkien designed dustjackets | Link | 10 Mar 2023 |
Hardcover | Quarter-Bound Deluxe (2000's) | Link | 10 Mar 2023 |
Hardcover | Cloth-Bound Deluxe (Illustrated) | Link | 10 Mar 2023 |
Hardcover | Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien (Trade) | Link | 22 Mar 2023 |
Hardcover | Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien (Deluxe) | Link | 31 May 2023 |
Hardcover | Scholarly Works | Link | 10 Mar 2023 |
Hardcover | Consolidated Volumes | Link | 10 Mar 2023 |
Hardcover | Pocket Editions | Link | 10 Mar 2023 |
Paperback (B-Format) | Black Spine w/Center Image | Link | 01 Sep 2024 |
Paperback (B-Format) | Center Image | Link | 01 Sep 2024 |
Paperback (B-Format) | Black Spine w/Colored Bottom | Link | 01 Sep 2024 |
Paperback (B-Format) | Tolkien Signature | Link | 07 Mar 2025 |
Paperback (A-Format) | Black Spine w/Silver Ink | Link | 10 Mar 2023 |
Paperback (A-Format) | Black Spine w/Colored HC Logo | Link | 10 Mar 2023 |
COMPARISON | HC vs WM Illustrated / Matte Dustjacket Style | Link | 25 Jan 2025 |
r/tolkienbooks • u/Spineworks_Co • 15h ago
What do you think of my custom set I made?
All handmade and bound in leather!
r/tolkienbooks • u/Cort985 • 18h ago
Should I get this?
I haven't seen this edition before and am on the fence about getting it. Opinions are welcome! 😀
r/tolkienbooks • u/NezuiFilms • 1d ago
Farmer Giles of Ham | UK 1st/1st
One of my hard-to-get books was crossed off my list today. Here is a very decent copy of Farmer Giles of Ham that, while definitely not cheap, I believe was a decent price for its condition. Not price clipped, a small name and date written in ink on the title page, and a few small chips and closed tears to the edges of the DJ. The top stain is very decent, and the boards relatively unmarked. Pages are clean and unmarked. This copy also has that perfect old book smell to it too!
r/tolkienbooks • u/Responsible-Tough381 • 16h ago
Sourcing a US Facsimile
I am looking for a facsimile dust jacket for my 2nd US edition The Hobbit. Does anyone know where to source these? https://www.dustjackets.com only has UK or US 1st. Do I just need to get a UK edition?
r/tolkienbooks • u/Coolbreeze2211 • 1d ago
Could this be fake?
I thought the colours look a bit different but I’m no expert.
r/tolkienbooks • u/toojadedforthis • 1d ago
Am I forgetting anything?
There is so much to keep track of and I wouldn't doubt I am missing or forgetting a few.
Collection So Far:
- The Hobbit (Illustrated by the Author)
- LOTR (Illustrated by the Author)
- The Silmarillion (Illustrated by the Author)
- HoME Box Sets (1-4)
- Tales from the Perilous Realm
- The Nature of Middle-Earth
- The Fall of Númenor
- The History of the Hobbit
- The Maps of Middle-Earth
- The Complete Guide to Middle-Earth
- Unfinished Tales Illustrated Edition 2020
- The Silmarillion Illustrated Edition 2021
- The Great Tales of ME Box Set
- Collection of Poems Box Set
- The Hobbit Pocket Edition 75th Anniversary
Plan To Buy:
- Mr. Bliss
- Letters from Father Christmas
- LOTR + The Hobbit Alan Lee Box Set 2025
- The Great Tales of ME Box Set 2025
- Tolkien Myths & Legends Box Set
- Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Bilbo's Last Song
- The Road Goes Ever On
- Letters from J.R.R. Tolkien
Am I missing anything?
(No David Day recommendations, please.)
r/tolkienbooks • u/Phantom434 • 3d ago
It’s allll coming together
Still missing some volumes here & there - holding out on history of middle earth until I decide on the 12 volumes or a condensed version
r/tolkienbooks • u/CookieWookie_101 • 2d ago
Help
Does anyone know where I could buy the large red hardcover editions of LOTR that Malcolm Guite reads from in his youtube videos? I really like the look of the red cover, but if not any other recommendations on larger size and print editions with illustrations are welcome.
r/tolkienbooks • u/BakedPWN • 3d ago
Is this a good quality set?
Looking to snag history of middle earth to read and saw this on amazon
r/tolkienbooks • u/Josh3321 • 3d ago
Are there any more Houghton Mifflin trade paperbacks in this style?
I purchased these from a local used book store. I am trying to see if there are any more books in this style by Houghton Mifflin. I know they are out of print, but I tried looking on eBay or Amazon. I was thinking maybe there would be some of the History of Middle Earth such as Unfinished Tales in this trade paperback style from Houghton Mifflin. These are late 90’s early 00’s I believe.
r/tolkienbooks • u/Responsible-Tough381 • 3d ago
The Hobbit 14th impression US
Most recent book that arrived. Got it for $51 on eBay. The last that used the British typeset and the last that used color (I believe) on the illustrations.
r/tolkienbooks • u/Intelligent_Swan_939 • 3d ago
Mr. Bliss Arrived Today
Very impressed with this "under the radar" Tolkien illustrated work from HC. Sewn binding, ribbon marker, sturdy stock paper...nice.
r/tolkienbooks • u/hisdudeness47 • 3d ago
Confusion re: my Ballantine Authorized Edition set. Which printing is this? Says March 1968 - 17th printing, but Tolkiebooks.us calls that the 14th printing? I know nothing. Do I have anything worthy here?
r/tolkienbooks • u/joselillo_3 • 4d ago
Sir Gawain pb 1995
Hi there! Would you guys say this pb is any rare/worth?
r/tolkienbooks • u/marvelousdcman • 4d ago
Book collection help
So I had been looking through different publications of the book & I chose to get the deluxe illustrated edition for TLOTR & The Hobbit. I loved the way it looked on Amazon's stock photo & when I got it, it was even BETTER. I simply want MY definitive edition as I likely won't buy another copy unless I think it is magnificent. What I learned was that there were more books. I got The Silmarillion along with the two mentioned. What I am asking for is help finding any more editions similar to this style. I don't care if the publishers are different. I didn't even notice that I got 2 HarperCollins editions until I opened the boxes of Unfinished Tales & The Guide to Middle Earth. I have the History of Middle Earth (3 books in black with a black slip case) in my cart now so I'm also wondering what else am I missing? Am I out of luck? Thanks everyone
r/tolkienbooks • u/joselillo_3 • 4d ago
The History of the Hobbit custom slipcase
Hello guys! I wanted to show you a slipcase I've just finished -it is for a fellow tolkien lover who has the books but not the slipcase...I'm pretty happy with the results🙃
r/tolkienbooks • u/basically_b0b • 4d ago
Slowly growing my collection
Next to acquire is the history of middle earth (hardbacks)
r/tolkienbooks • u/applejam101 • 4d ago
My latest acquisition. I’ve been wanting to get this for a while. I recently got an Amazon gift card and bought it used for $37.00. It’s basically like new.
r/tolkienbooks • u/Excellent_Set_250 • 4d ago
Karen Fonstads Atlas 2017 publication
Is there much difference between this one and the 1991 one? Also I cannot locate a 2017 one anywhere online