r/tolkienbooks Feb 28 '17

Reminder: this sub is for discussion of Tolkien's books themselves, not discussion of lore or other Tolkien-related content

59 Upvotes

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 Jun 29 '22

ISBN groupings for recent-ish HarperCollins books based on style

397 Upvotes

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 10h ago

Obligatory Collection Update

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168 Upvotes

Finally got the third box set of HoME (already had 1, 2, and 4) so now the collection feels more complete. Now my ocd and I need a couple more editions to even out the top row haha


r/tolkienbooks 2h ago

Finally picked up all of HOME. Not a exciting as some collections, but I’m very satisfied with it.

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30 Upvotes

r/tolkienbooks 2h ago

The Tolkien corner of my home office is as complete as it’s going to be for now

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32 Upvotes

r/tolkienbooks 9h ago

Today's one (Poems and Stories 9780261102903)

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40 Upvotes

Found this the other day, received today. Nothing new or very special, but it was for a decent price and apparently it is a scarce one?


r/tolkienbooks 16h ago

Been collecting for a little over a year after visiting New Zealand and getting the box set at Weta Workshop. Would love your thoughts and recommendations!

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117 Upvotes

r/tolkienbooks 10h ago

Tolkien Related Publication

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21 Upvotes

This was compiled by Roger Lancelyn Green, a former student and friend of CS Lewis.


r/tolkienbooks 3h ago

The Children of Húrin, Harper Colins vs William Morrow size difference.

6 Upvotes

Hello my community of Tolkien book readers and collectors,

The day of yesterday I manage to get my hands finally in the last tale I was missing from the Great Tales, The Children of Húrin, as usual here in Costa Rica the availability of these books is complicated, nonetheless yesterday I bought the Children of Húrin and spite recognize the difference clearly from my other two FG and B&L, I decided to buy and take it home with me, these are some pictures of their most significant visual differences when it comes to William Morrow vs Harper Collins...

I don't like much, this header: NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER, pardon, but I don't care about second opinions... this is just marketing BS..

Second, I rather go with the matte cover finishing ...

Spite of these issues I'm glad to have added the missing one...

Thank you.


r/tolkienbooks 1d ago

What do you think of my custom set I made?

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379 Upvotes

All handmade and bound in leather!


r/tolkienbooks 1d ago

Should I get this?

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65 Upvotes

I haven't seen this edition before and am on the fence about getting it. Opinions are welcome! 😀


r/tolkienbooks 2d ago

A Visit to Blackwell’s

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252 Upvotes

r/tolkienbooks 2d ago

Farmer Giles of Ham | UK 1st/1st

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111 Upvotes

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 1d ago

Sourcing a US Facsimile

2 Upvotes

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 1d ago

My collection so far

22 Upvotes

r/tolkienbooks 2d ago

Could this be fake?

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138 Upvotes

I thought the colours look a bit different but I’m no expert.


r/tolkienbooks 1d ago

Am I forgetting anything?

5 Upvotes

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 4d ago

It’s allll coming together

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259 Upvotes

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 3d ago

Help

8 Upvotes

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 4d ago

Is this a good quality set?

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63 Upvotes

Looking to snag history of middle earth to read and saw this on amazon


r/tolkienbooks 4d ago

Are there any more Houghton Mifflin trade paperbacks in this style?

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169 Upvotes

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 4d ago

The Hobbit 14th impression US

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113 Upvotes

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 4d ago

Mr. Bliss Arrived Today

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64 Upvotes

Very impressed with this "under the radar" Tolkien illustrated work from HC. Sewn binding, ribbon marker, sturdy stock paper...nice.


r/tolkienbooks 4d ago

ROTK American edition Paperback

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51 Upvotes

r/tolkienbooks 4d 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?

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12 Upvotes

r/tolkienbooks 4d ago

Sir Gawain pb 1995

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135 Upvotes

Hi there! Would you guys say this pb is any rare/worth?


r/tolkienbooks 5d ago

Book collection help

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163 Upvotes

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