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The vast majority of “new” books by J.R.R. Tolkien are new editions of his groundbreaking fantasy novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. In fact, new collector’s editions of The Lord of the Rings released this week. An even fancier LOTR box set arrives in October, just weeks before a lavish new edition of The Hobbit hits shelves. But this week also brought the first-ever publication of Tolkien’s complete poetry, which includes works about Middle-earth. The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien is a weighty three-volume, 1,728-page hardcover box set. If you want to explore some of Tolkien’s earliest writings, you can add the collection to your library for $112.50 (was $125) from Amazon.
$113 (was $125)
The Collected Poems of J.R.R. Tolkien has a minimalistic exterior design, with three matching hardcovers and an understated slipcase to display and store each volume.
The three-volume set contains roughly 200 poems of varying lengths. Though many of these have been published before, there are over 60 that even the most studious of Tolkien readers have never seen.
This collection is particularly interesting because you’ll find poems the author composed as a teenager as well poems he wrote well into his 70s. Juxtaposing the writing of an aspiring writer alongside that of an aging giant in the world of fiction is a cool way to see his development as a writer.
His poetry in verse is featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, but the scope here goes well beyond Middle-earth–so don’t expect 1,700-plus pages of poems about Bilbo Baggins.
Along with Tolkien’s poems, this 3-volume collection includes commentary from Tolkien scholars Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond. The commentary aims to provide readers with deeper insight into the life of Tolkien and his work.
The Lord of the Rings Collector’s Edition Series
As mentioned above, all three volumes of The Lord of the Rings received new collector’s editions on September 17, too. These new hardcovers have foil-stamped cover art, stained edges, ribbon bookmarks, and a map of Middle-earth as endpapers. Listed for $35 each, you can save on The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers Collector’s Editions at Amazon. The Return of the King is full price, but you can still get all three for $87.50 total, down from $105. A box set featuring all three releases November 5. It’ll cost you a bit more (and you’ll have to wait), but the box set comes with display case and fold-out map. Preorders for The Lord of the Rings Collector’s Edition Box Set are $94.50 (was $105) at Amazon.
To complete your collection, you can pick up the recently released collector’s editions of The Hobbit and The Silmarillion.
Dedicated Tolkien fans with money to burn can preorder The Lord of the Rings Deluxe Illustrated Box Set for $292.50 (was $325) at Amazon ahead of its October 1 release. This three-volume hardcover set is a revamped version of the 1992 edition illustrated by acclaimed artist Alan Lee. The new version has more than 50 new drawings and paintings. Like the poetry collection, this set has a similarly understated aesthetic with blue hardcovers made of cloth and leather and foil-stamped silver typescript and emblems. It also comes with two maps created by the late Christopher Tolkien (the author’s son) and three art cards.
Tolkien Illustrated Series
Alan Lee’s illustrations of the places and creatures of Middle-earth are fantastic, but there are more budget-friendly options for illustrated editions of Tolkien’s best-known works. The Tolkien Illustrated Series features drawings by the author himself. Whether you opt for the standard or deluxe, these editions of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and The Silmarillion are gorgeous.
The History of Middle-earth Box Sets
The Silmarillion is one of 12 books that comprise The History of Middle-earth, an exhaustive look at Middle-earth across multiple eras. Compiled and edited by Christopher Tolkien using J.R.R. Tolkien’s treasure trove of background notes, The History of Middle-earth is immense in scope and often fascinating. If you’re a huge Tolkien fan and have a deep interest in world-building, they are worth checking out. The series was re-released this year in gorgeous new hardcover editions across four box sets (three volumes each).
