Older Tolkien lovers are such wonderful and beautiful people, including you sir. I am a younger reader starting out on this journey. I appreciate your aura immensely, thank you for this great video.
The thumbnail for this video is adorable. It sums up how I feel about Tolkien. It's been such a comfort read for me over the years too. I just got the new edition of The Silmarillion with illustrations by Tolkien himself. It's expensive but it's an elegant and lovely book. I just started collecting. I love the hardbacks boxsets!
The entire Lord of the Rings in one volume was the way that JRR Tolkein intended it to be published. That is the first edition that I read at 10 years old. I have read it at least every year going on 40 years now.
Well you’ve got me beat! 😆 I’ve read it approximately every 5 years. I’m in the middle of another re-read - check out the FotR Vlogs from December if you’re interested. 🙂
Small correction: the map in the Silmarillion is of Beleriand, a land west of the blue mountains that was destroyed at the end of the first age. They are not the same map
This totally made it easier for me to make a decision of what version to buy as a gift to my gf. I went for the Harper Collins 2014 edition. Great video 👍🏼👍🏼
Everytime I recommend The Silmarillion to people who are into LOTR, I ask them if they can read the Bible; if they can, then they can read The Silmarillion, it's basically the Genesis of Arda, with similar prose, especially Ainulindale, well worth the effort imo. Beautiful collection, compared to my modest hoard.
And the thing is, there are so many more editions to collect! 😆 I can read Shakespeare, Malory, etc. and enjoy them, so I think I can give the Silmarillion another try.
I think you will enjoy The Silmarillion now. I believe that it is better appreciated and understood if you are older. I've read The Silmarillion about four times and have revisited the various stories at different times, when I wanted to clarify some point or other. The very first time I read it; when it was first released; I struggled. It became easier, with each reading. There is some dark material in there, as well as heroes of legend. I think I was most interested in the lineage of Elrond and Elros, and the tales of their ancestors. As for my editions; I have the Ballentine paperbacks, with Tolkien's illustrations; that were my very first LOTR and The Hobbit set. I have the Ballentine paperbacks with the Barbara Remington covers, the Darrell K. Sweet paperback editions ( the ones you first showed), the Houghton Mifflin three volume set, with the dust jackets illustrated by Alan Lee, the 2021 standard edition with the red stenciled edges, and my favorite is the red leatherette slipcase edition c.1980's which has the blue and gold foiling designs stamped into the cover and spine. I also have the new 2022 deluxe The Silmarillion by Harper Collins, two of the hardcover U.S. editions that are first editions and first printings, the Ted Nasmith illustrated ' blue' Silmarillion, and a recent acquisition is a Unicorn paperback edition with the Roger Garland illustration of the Swan Havens. I do plan on getting the 2022 standard Silmarillion to go with my 2021 LOTR.
@@MattonBooks The Silmarillion was tougher to crack than Fellowship. I've owned multiple copies of the book since the mid-late 80's, the gold cover one depicting the sinking of Numenor being my first, but couldn't get through it until a mere few years ago. I always got stuck during the creation of the world / two tree's bits. What got me through it was listening to it as an audiobook and, more importantly....not being in a hurry to get through it. I took my time, gave it my attention, re-wound as needed and several months later when I was done, I realized I enjoyed it more than Lord of the Rings. I've read it many times since then and it is my favorite work set in Middle Earth. There's so much that goes on in the book, from creation itself to godly battles, to innumerable fascinating characters and events, betrayals, undying oaths, Greek tragedy, the rise and fall of kingdoms, pride and hubris, world altering cataclysms, true love, the return and eventual defeat of ancient evil.....and it's all in one book! My preferred version of the book is the one illustrated by Ted Nasmith. Just gorgeous!
Nice to know I'm not the only one who collects multiple copies of Tolkien's books! I think I'm up to six physical copies of The Hobbit, four of The Lord of the Rings, and three of The Silmarillion. 😅
Just picked up the Houghton Mifflin 50th Anniversary edition along with the new 2020 Alan Lee Illustrated Hobbit and LOTR Matte Hardcover Box Set which is gorgeous
Yay, enjoy! Now you can join my secret club (it is huge, and no one knows they are in it) of people who start the movies with Did you know the books. . . . . . .
That's a amazing collection. As someone who hated Rings of Power and didn't like the disrespect I'm glad that we can all sit back and take a moment to approach the amazing stories that Tolkien left us with. Even the movie trilogy for that matter
I have that same beautiful 2021 deluxe edition as you do. My justification was that I didn't have a single volume printing of Lord of the Rings. So that's my excuse! Thanks for sharing these!
Not to mention too big and heavy! 😅 I have my “collection” books and my “reading” books, and that’s definitely not a reader. For that, I’m about to start a re-read with the recent Clarion paperbacks, with the gorgeous Johan Egerkrans covers. 😍
Buy yourself the Atlas of Miiddle Earth if you dont already have it and give the silmarillion another honest try with the atlas to help visualize the landscape. you owe it to yourself!
I totally feel you on the issue with collecting when moving. I'm not yet done moving, and I will probably move twice again before finally ending up in a house I'll plan to stay in for a long time.... but I can't help myself and have started collecting. Moving is not going to be overly nice for me! Haha
💍 I have two copies, a well worn single volume paperback and a fancy hardback that my mother purchased for me. I think I too DNF-ed the Silmarillion and never went back to it either. I fully agree with you on the black bands not lining up, BTW! I like these types of deep dive vs a bookshelf tour. The details of where they came from, why you got them, and general thoughts are super interesting. The low impulse control edition is incredible. I can see it being easy to want multiple editions when they are all this fabulous. I did consider getting the most recent fancy edition, but I’m not really a Special Edition collector. Not usually anyway, but Broken Binding have broken me, shall we say.
Lovely presentation! I've heard the entire The Lord Of The Rings on audiobooks in English twice while I was working on a production line wearing hearing protectors which had bluetooth. I cried and had to take a moment for myself at the end of the story both times. I just started reading the book on paperback translated to Norwegian Nynorsk (the translator got a prize for his work on this translation in 2007) after finishing The Hobbit of the same translator (The Hobbit I believe I've read 6 or 7 times in total now, it's my favourite book. I'm 27 for the record). I've found a really nice edition of The Lord Of The Rings in a single volume hardback illustrated by Alan Lee which I really want (in English). I agree with you that Lee's illustrations is what Middle Earth looks and feels like. Thank you for this video, cheers from Norway.
Very nice collection! An interesting note on the burnt paper: it is a recreation of a page Tolkien himself made and burnt to help with his world building. I can't remember the terminology but it's altered to look real. That page is the one they found in Moria and part of the book of Mazarbul. The lengths Tolkien went to, to make a realistic world, he truly was someone special! I wish you luck with the Silmarillion it is incredibly epic! I read a chapter a day and made it through. Could speak forever on the Silm, I love it! 😁
Distressed? Aged? Is that what you mean? It's funny: opening that edition and finding those, it felt like I was opening a new roleplaying game adventure - they sometimes have similar in-world artefacts. The best example was the Dracula Dossier which had newspaper clippings, flyers, and even the whole novel Dracula with additions, redactions, notes and underlinings. Funny, since Tolkien did the same things, and RPGs probably wouldn't exist without him. Thanks for telling me, Austen, I hadn't known that! :-)
@@MattonBooks I guess the term I was looking for is 'fascimile' for the paper and he used frame story for his method of storytelling to make it more authentic! I am happy to share from one Tolkien fan to another! :) I couldn't find which Wikipedia page it was on it ended up being somewhere on the Silmarillion one! That is way interesting, I still need to read Dracula! I have been wanting to get into tabletop RPGs so that sounds awesome!!! Thanks for sharing!
@@austenishoss If you’re just getting into RPGs, Dracula Dossier probably isn’t a great place to start since its pretty complex, but if you run into an experienced GM who has it, definitely play it. 🙂👌🏻
@@MattonBooks sounds good! I definitely need to find a group. Thanks for sharing that with me that is way cool to know about, I didn't even know that was a thing!
I was recently in a used book store and they were selling a 1974 book club edition box set for $25. Its clearly not a particularly special edition or anything and the text is sooo tiny that its almost unreadable, but I really dug the throwback cover/spine design so had to pick it up for the price. Its the only copy I have and its motivated me to finally read LoTR (I only recently got into reading fantasy). Cool to see all these other awesome editions that you have!
As a fellow Tolkien fan who failed to finish The Silmarillion, I'm with you. And I'm sure there are many more of us. It's such a hard read. I want to give it another try, but never get around to it.
I’ll definitely be trying again this year. I just snagged the brand new special deluxe edition - which is a pretty normally priced hardback, but beautiful - and I’m guessing I might get through it better 40 years after my first attempt. 😜
Hi there. I’m now looking at editions of different Tolkien books, and tip of the list is the LOR. I’ve been eying the 60th Anniversary Ed that you have - love the original dust jackets and the Reader’s Companion. Have you read it yet? Have you used the companion with it too? I’m leaning more towards that set bc of the companion and I’m sure the multi volume set will be more easily read than a 1,200-page single volume of LOR. Although I may have to buy that 2021 edition - it’s gorgeous. Thanks!
I’ve been re-reading the paperback edition with the gorgeous Egerkrans covers - I prefer paperbacks for reading by far, just due to the weight. The companion is pretty cool for sure, if you want some extra depth. And if REALLY do, check out Tolkien’s letters and a bunch of additional material by other authors.
Just subscribed. I'm 49 and I haven't read TLOTR since my teens so I'd like to involve myself in the read-along. Previously I skipped over the songs and poems. Currently I'm rationing the books I buy to one for every two I read. I've an unread backlog I need to get through.
Try holding that Hobbit fold out map up to the light. On some of those newer deluxe versions of the hobbit, the finger pointing to the runs is printed in reverse on the rear of the map, so you can see it through the map, when held up to the light. As, I believe, Tolkien originally intended.
That sounds awesome Paul, but just checked it out, and on my slipcase edition’s map, unfortunately the hand is just printed on the map as it usually is.
Oh, and I have two editions at the moment: the deluxe edition, and I have the Easton Press editions. But I'm hoping to find that blue boxed set from the '80's that I read first, if I can find a good condition copy. I regret selling those.
Those were all very nice editions. I have an edition of the trilogy as one book in paperback don't remember the year, then I have the 2014 illustrated editions Houghtin Mifflin released of The Hobbit, the trilogy, and the Silmarillion (I also have not finished this one, but I try ever now and again) and then I have the pocket edition set of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. I use the last one if I plan to read during my lunch break at work. The only problem I have with my illustrated hardbacks is like the centennial edition, they are heavy enough you'd want to read them at a table. I love seeing what editions of books other people have, so finding this video was a treat.
I was born in 1971 and that silver jubilee edition of LOTR was my first LOTR as well. I was in elementary school and my uncle bought them for me at Waldenbooks in the mall. I don't have as many different editions of LOTR but I do have 17 different editions of The Hobbit in at least 8 different languages. Nerds rule :)
I read them with the Tolkien dictionaries and reference books. Generations of references for each character. Took forever to finish that way. Fond times. I still have them all and collectible book versions, the red leather and the broown letter.
I’ve never really used those kinds of secondary books, until I started getting into King Arthur stories. This time around, I’m keeping various Middle Earth references at hand. 🙂
Im planning on getting the 50th year anniversary edition, because it is basically the modern repriting of the last one you showed. Same cover and also contains tons of Alan Lee, which I also LOVE. Woild prefer the edition you own, but IDK if it's still available.
Yeah mate, the one I've got is pretty old now. You might be able to find it on Abe Books or somewhere like that, but if they're doing a reprint, that'd be much easier to get.
Looks like they've continued to make the nice red leather edition (at least as of the end of 2022), but it's twice as expensive as the 50th anniversary deluxe edition, so I'm going with that one (ordered from Amazon UK since Amazon US doesn't have it). The extra illustrations are nice in the newer special edition, but I prefer one that I can match with the other books.
I have loved lord of the rings since I was about nine after seeing the Jackson trilogy and later the hobbit trilogy. But only now at almost 23 I started actually reading them for the first time. I listened to the hobbit and fellowship as audiobooks a while back but never got around to listening to two towers and return. I read the hobbit a recently. I just finished reading fellowhip and will start two towers tomorrow! I have the first paperback set that you showed. I like reading on the go so they fit in a bag easily. I have the silmarillion and unfinished tales of the same set and the story of Kullervo. I also have one of the large 50th anniversary editions of the lotr. Those books are just something special and I constantly find myself looking for othr versions of them
I love seeing younger folks get into the books - I know many who love the movies, but don’t even try reading the story. I’m re-reading the books right now, about to start The Two Towers. Check out my blogs of The Fellowship from last month if you’re interested. 🙂
I still have my Ballantine Books box-set from the early 70s, with covers by Barbara Remington that, side-by-side, create a larger mural. This is the set that was given to me by my 6th grade teacher, which launched my fantasy reading journey, and later my writing journey. My biggest problem with all of the various sets of LOTR that I've owned over the years is that I keep giving them away. As my nieces and nephews came of age, I would give them whatever set I had, only to realize that those sets are no longer available. Ah well, spreading the love, I suppose.
I have that set as well butbfor some reason am missing the Hobbit. I have a cheesy boxed set as my 'reader' copy. But if an older editiin shows up at Half Price I might pick it up.
Hello! I've a question. I seen on Amazon the Clarion Books one (your newest), but I wonder if that one have the apendixes. If yes, I'll buy it rn hahahah
I reread the hobbit and the lord of the rings a couple months ago. I plan to read the entire middle earth books in chronological order at the start of next year. It’s hard not to get every edition. I would love to get the one with the original covers, they look amazing
Yeah Marina, it's a constant war of self-control. And the original covers (never published, but Tolkien's original desired covers) edition is pretty sweet. €60/$75 on Amazon. ;-)
@@MattonBooks I wouldn’t mind getting the covers as prints but 4 hardcover books is too much for my limited shelve space. On the bright side they are used as inside covers in the 2021 deluxe editions.
Thanks Brenda! 🙂 I go back & forth between loving having those fancy editions, and thinking I’m an idiot because they’re so nice I’ll never actually read them. 😆
Thanks Simoun. 🙂 If I just wanted subs, I’d do only videos about Tolkien. 😆 But I read lots of other authors too, and my subs are steadily growing, so I’m fine with that.
@@MattonBooks Well that's a Win-Win then right? :D!!! I actually own a Limited Edition Hobbit Book that my Dad bought and it even had it's own CD to use on a DVD player that is an "Audiobook" plus a Map of Middle-Earth and some photos of Tolkien himself. Super cool.
It's not a matching Hobbit (2004) or Silmarillion (2007), that is of a different series. (which I have) They made a similar Hobbit (2023) of the LotR (2021, Red/black) you have there, as did they for the Silmarillion (2022, which is absolutely stunning). Which is the series I would like to have as well. lol
No wonder it is one of the most sold books in the world. I also have several editions in english and german including a one book edition with the artwork of Alan Lee.
I also read those paperback versions of The Hobbit and LotR as a kid. I still have that edition of The Hobbit but no longer have the others because I have a few special editions of LotR. I have the Easton Press versions of LotR as part of the Masterpieces of Fantasy set that came out in the early 90s. Then I also have the omnibus edition that came out in 1992 to celebrate what would have been Tolkien's 100th birthday. I've been considering getting the special edition with the slip case you have. I've also been tempted by the newest version with the script from the one ring stenciled on the edges. Do I really need more versions of LotR? Maybe. Lol
For me too, these were the first adult books I ever read. And I just realised that I have never read Lord of the Rings in English. I only ever read it in Dutch translation. Shock.
As someone who can read 2 languages, I’d recommend trying the English edition. Tolkien used English in a very particular way, and translations are NEVER the same.
Um, to read Lord of the Rings, it’s Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, then Return of the King. Beyond LotR there’s a lot of Middle Earth stuff, but I won’t try and list it all here. 😉
That's a lovely collection! It's strange but Tolkien's books are the only ones I can own in a different edidions and I can justify it :D I am from Slovakia, so I focus on editions published in slovak or czech language. Just LotR I have in 6 different editions even though I still miss one The Return of the King that is difficult to find (it's quite rare illustrated slovak edition), but the most beautiful of them is for sure that red last year edition illustrated by the author that you also have. I bought it few weeks ago and even though it has some issues, it's a beautiful book. Also I got matching The Silmarillion illustrated by the author, slightly different than yours, that is made in exactly the same style as that LotR with quarter leatherbound and a window in the slipcase, just in blue color. I hope they will make The Hobbit that matches it next year, it would be really awesome! But also intersting edition of The Hobbit is the facsimile of the first edition with the original chapter Riddles in the Dark that Tolkien later changed so it matches LotR.
@@MattonBooks Yeah, it came out just in november but I really recommend it, if you are into maps, it has a couple of really amazing ones and also I like that the pages are made of thicker paper than in that LotR, so you can read it without being worried of damaging the book, which is one of downsides of that LotR edition, but I understand that it has so many pages they just had to make this decision :/
Cool video :D I'm currently rereading the trilogy in a more than years old, very damaged edition of my mother and I'm going to get myself an edition soon. I'm probably going to choose the 2020 illustrated edition (also illustrated by Sir Alan Lee :D) While I love these books I do NOT agree with your statement that the books are better than the movies :) I think they're about on par. While there are differences, they are always chosen out of artistical reasons and to achieve the best result telling the same story (with as much of the same subtext etc. as possible) in a different medium (being movies of course). These films are my absolute favorite movies of all time and by far the best book adaption existing in my opinion. That's also why I will soon see all 3 of them in cinema (12h+ xD) Have a Good Day :D
Yeah, it hard to say better/worse really. The thing about books is everything happens in my head, and is therefore very personal somehow, in a way movies can’t match.
@@MattonBooks They are different art forms after all :) Both give the artist and the consumer unique advantages that the other one doesn't have. I think that might be one of the reasons why book adaptions are made at all... if it was just the exact same as the book there wouldn't be much of a reason to do it at all
Hi Erfan. 🙂 As far as I know, there aren’t any significant differences in those editions. Hardcore fans might point out that some editions have small edits here and there, but basically they’re all the same.
@Matt on Books Thanks for your attention and answer. only literature and studying help us to tolerate and continue to fight against Dictatorship .... At least 500 of our best friends were murdered in Iran ....why? Because we say we want freedoms....women life freedom ....
No gloves? I would be scared actually read several of those. A friend went to Marquette for the sole reason that is where the Tolkein librairy somehow ended up. He has quite a few editions, movie books, multiple copies of the various movies and likely every game ever made.
Hah! 😆 As far as I’m concerned, books are to be read, not archived. I actually enjoy the patina they develop over the years, so no gloves for ny shelves! 😜
I have 1995 paperback one volume edition of lord of the rings , three copies of the 2021 Standard edition of lord of the rings , which have sprayed red edges and the ring rhyme on the edges of the pages ,(I have three because to me it looked so good ) , and because of issues with the deluxe quarter red leather bound deluxe edition, (my first copy had 15 blank pages , my second copy pages were joined together, ) I have two copies of the deluxe quarter bound red leather lord of the rings , and as of this year again because of issues with this years quarter blue leather bound Silmarillion,(also with Tolkien illustrations ) I have three copies of that . The 2021 Orange cloth bound Silmarillion, with illustrations by Ted Naismith , blue cloth bound unfinished takes , this years deluxe edition of the fall of Numenor , and also the 60th anniversary blue cloth binding and clear plastic slipcase of the lord of the rings with illustrations by Alan lee .
I bought the red edition of the lord of the rings a few days ago and you summarized very well how i feel about it! There’s just something very special in reading LOTR in such a fine book like that!
I'm not going to give you flack about DNF'ing the Silmarillion. It's a dense and tough read. I was only able to do it by getting the audiobook of it. It really is worth a shot at the audiobook.
@@MattonBooks Excellent! By the way, I have a copy the Silmarillion with illustrations by Ted Nasmith on some nice heavy, gloss paper. Not a reader copy, but it's the first in my efforts to get a all hardback, illustrated collection of Tolkien's works
Who says you can't judge a book by it's cover? While I really enjoyed the detailed review of the outside of these books I was hoping to learn how they look on the inside. Specifically the typesettng. My copy of a 2nd edition HM boxed set uses thick type that's just not very pleasant to read. My 75th anniversary Hobbit hardcover is much more readable.
Good feedback, thanks. It’s funny - I’m a bit of a typography nerd, and would totally be able to get very into what the typesetting’s like, but always thought nobody else would be even slightly interested.
I hate to break it to you, sir, but your slipcovered Silmarillion and Hobbit, while beautiful, are not of the same series as your slipcovered LoTR. I have the Deluxe Edition of LoTR (illustrated by JRRT) as well as the matching Silmarillion - that one is in blue & black with silver-gilded page edges. I'm rather impatiently waiting for The Hobbit to receive the same treatment, hopefully later this year or early next year. I also have the Alan Lee illustrated edition. If you've seen the Peter Jackson movies, you may notice that several illustrations made their way into the films - Minas Tirith, the base of Orthanc, and The Mirror of Galadriel. My JRRT collection has gotten rather extensive over the years. It would be easier to send photos. Currently, I have four hardcover editions each of The Silmarillion and The Hobbit, and FIVE single-volume editions of LoTR. The rest of the Library is The Histories of Middle Earth, Letters, The Tolkien Companion, etc, etc....
Some authors like Stephen king , Tolkien , Arthur Conan Doyle and many more just hit different and have managed to secure a sweet spot in memories and heart of the readers
And sadly, none of the edition of TLOTR is how the author wanted it to be. For it to be as he intended they must be: (1) a single volume, (2) the ring inscription after being in the chimney fire must be printed in red, (3) the pages of Mazarbul book must be a fold-out, (4) the maps must be fold-out, (5) the "Epilogue" must be reinstated. Also, (6) the text must be that of the "50th Anniversary" plus the latest errata found by the editors (one map have the river names interchanged [Allan Lee edition] and some minor text fixes). 5:33 The 2014 pocket one does not have (1), being three volumes, nor (3)+(4) even as unbounded folded. And (5) is nowhere. 8:01 The 2021 expensive one does not have (2), being printed in black, nor (3) is unbounded with a fake "back" that was a digital mockup, and (4) are not fold-out but unbounded folded. And (5) is nowhere.
@@MattonBooks@MattonBooks Hi Matt, Just as your video started, I got the briefest glimpse of a Coca-Cola advert. It just flickered and was gone. I've since seen an Air Canada ad of the same type on a different TH-cam channel. I reckon that someone is using subliminal advertising, and you are not aware. But on the plus side, I like your stuff. I have first/firsts of both The Hobbit and LOTR (my "preciouses"), though the dust cover is missing from my Hobbit book. The original paper covers of the LOTR books are incredibly thin and easy to damage. I'm drawn to the various boxed books with hardback covers. I got the orange-finished Silmarillion, and, at this reading, it's become manageable. Maybe you could review the Audible version of the Silmarillion. It was re-recorded by Andy Serkis. His performance style makes the Silmarillion much more accessible.
really good collection but there is a mismatch in the deluxe versions of the lord of the rings and the silmarillion/hobbit in that the all red Lord of the rings edition you have is the latest 2021 deluxe edition and is unique because it contains all Tolkiens' own hand drawn illustrations. The Silmarillion /Hobbit deluxe editions you have are part of the much older collection of deluxe and also text only editions that go with the 50th anniversary Lord of the Rings deluxe slipcase book (2004) which is burgundy and white and was also available as part of a boxset known as the Tolkien Deluxe edition collection also including the deluxe edition of the Children of hurin edition. The 2022 deluxe edition of the Silmarillion matches your 2021 Lord of the rings edition because it has again uniqely all Tolkiens own drawings included within it and the book is completely blue. I hope they bring out a similar Hobbit book to match the latest 2021 and 2022 Lord of the Rings and Silmarillion editions.
Yup, thanks for pointing that out. 🙂 A few people beat you to it, so the new Silmarillion with window is already on my wishlist. 👌🏻And surely they’ve got to finish the set and bring out a new pretty Hobbit? Surely? I also really hope they’ll bring out Sil & The Hobbit in paperback with the Egerkrans covers. They did in Swedish already, so maybe it’s just a matter of time…
Thanks Shemiah. 😘 I’m curious to read LotR again soon, since being a booktuber has drastically changed the way I read. I guess now I’d just be MUCH more conscious of the writing itself, whereas as a kid I was just transported to Middle Earth.
Older Tolkien lovers are such wonderful and beautiful people, including you sir. I am a younger reader starting out on this journey. I appreciate your aura immensely, thank you for this great video.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it Hey. 🙂
The thumbnail for this video is adorable. It sums up how I feel about Tolkien. It's been such a comfort read for me over the years too. I just got the new edition of The Silmarillion with illustrations by Tolkien himself. It's expensive but it's an elegant and lovely book.
I just started collecting. I love the hardbacks boxsets!
Thanks Emma. 🙂 That’s exactly the feeling that inspired the thumbnail. ❤️
The entire Lord of the Rings in one volume was the way that JRR Tolkein intended it to be published. That is the first edition that I read at 10 years old. I have read it at least every year going on 40 years now.
Well you’ve got me beat! 😆 I’ve read it approximately every 5 years. I’m in the middle of another re-read - check out the FotR Vlogs from December if you’re interested. 🙂
Small correction: the map in the Silmarillion is of Beleriand, a land west of the blue mountains that was destroyed at the end of the first age. They are not the same map
Thanks for that. 👌🏻
That thumbnail is How I love my books too….yay!
Audiobooks is a cool take on the books (with characters).
Fantastic collection and such beautiful editions. Thanks so much for sharing your LOTR collection.
Thanks, mate. 🙂 And the collection’s grown a little since I made this. 😜
This totally made it easier for me to make a decision of what version to buy as a gift to my gf. I went for the Harper Collins 2014 edition. Great video 👍🏼👍🏼
Glad to help Dan! 😀👌🏻
Everytime I recommend The Silmarillion to people who are into LOTR, I ask them if they can read the Bible; if they can, then they can read The Silmarillion, it's basically the Genesis of Arda, with similar prose, especially Ainulindale, well worth the effort imo.
Beautiful collection, compared to my modest hoard.
And the thing is, there are so many more editions to collect! 😆
I can read Shakespeare, Malory, etc. and enjoy them, so I think I can give the Silmarillion another try.
Beautiful collection! Love the Alan Lee illustrations. ❤
I think you will enjoy The Silmarillion now. I believe that it is better appreciated and understood if you are older. I've read The Silmarillion about four times and have revisited the various stories at different times, when I wanted to clarify some point or other. The very first time I read it; when it was first released; I struggled. It became easier, with each reading. There is some dark material in there, as well as heroes of legend. I think I was most interested in the lineage of Elrond and Elros, and the tales of their ancestors. As for my editions; I have the Ballentine paperbacks, with Tolkien's illustrations; that were my very first LOTR and The Hobbit set. I have the Ballentine paperbacks with the Barbara Remington covers, the Darrell K. Sweet paperback editions ( the ones you first showed), the Houghton Mifflin three volume set, with the dust jackets illustrated by Alan Lee, the 2021 standard edition with the red stenciled edges, and my favorite is the red leatherette slipcase edition c.1980's which has the blue and gold foiling designs stamped into the cover and spine. I also have the new 2022 deluxe The Silmarillion by Harper Collins, two of the hardcover U.S. editions that are first editions and first printings, the Ted Nasmith illustrated ' blue' Silmarillion, and a recent acquisition is a Unicorn paperback edition with the Roger Garland illustration of the Swan Havens. I do plan on getting the 2022 standard Silmarillion to go with my 2021 LOTR.
Yeah, I bet you’re right Teresa. I may give it another go next year. 🙂
I couldn't get thru it as a youth. I hear this from a lot of readers.
@@MattonBooks The Silmarillion was tougher to crack than Fellowship. I've owned multiple copies of the book since the mid-late 80's, the gold cover one depicting the sinking of Numenor being my first, but couldn't get through it until a mere few years ago. I always got stuck during the creation of the world / two tree's bits. What got me through it was listening to it as an audiobook and, more importantly....not being in a hurry to get through it.
I took my time, gave it my attention, re-wound as needed and several months later when I was done, I realized I enjoyed it more than Lord of the Rings. I've read it many times since then and it is my favorite work set in Middle Earth. There's so much that goes on in the book, from creation itself to godly battles, to innumerable fascinating characters and events, betrayals, undying oaths, Greek tragedy, the rise and fall of kingdoms, pride and hubris, world altering cataclysms, true love, the return and eventual defeat of ancient evil.....and it's all in one book!
My preferred version of the book is the one illustrated by Ted Nasmith. Just gorgeous!
Gorgeous editions! Really cool, Matt! Can't wait to start this next month FOR THE FIRST TIME! HYPED!!!!!!!
It’s been so long, I can’t even imagine reading LotR FOR THE FIRST TIME. Super excited to hear what you think, mate. 😀
Nice to know I'm not the only one who collects multiple copies of Tolkien's books! I think I'm up to six physical copies of The Hobbit, four of The Lord of the Rings, and three of The Silmarillion. 😅
And like mine, that’s still a “small” collection! 😜
What a stunning edition of The Hobbit at 11:00! Amazing video. Thank you!
My pleasure!
Just picked up the Houghton Mifflin 50th Anniversary edition along with the new 2020 Alan Lee Illustrated Hobbit and LOTR Matte Hardcover Box Set which is gorgeous
Nice! 😀👌🏻
Oh wow! That is a collection!
I dont know how I get here, but now I'm going to read LOTR asap (I've only watched the movies). Thank you sharing your love for Tolkien and LOTR 🙏.
Mission accomplished! ENJOY! 😀
Yay, enjoy! Now you can join my secret club (it is huge, and no one knows they are in it) of people who start the movies with Did you know the books. . . . . . .
BTW, cowboy: I’m starting a re-read very soon, and will be vlogging as I read. See my latest video, and join us if it works for you. 🙂📖
Beautiful collection! Picked up today a 1980 revised second edition today of fellowship of the ring.
Oooh, nice! 😀
Hi 👋 wow like ur book collection!! It’s one of those books which is classic!! I’m happy for you!! Happy reading to you!! 🎬🕸⚔️🎥☠️👻
Thanks Safina. 🙂
That's a amazing collection. As someone who hated Rings of Power and didn't like the disrespect I'm glad that we can all sit back and take a moment to approach the amazing stories that Tolkien left us with. Even the movie trilogy for that matter
I won’t disagree that pretty much anything Tolkien is better than The Rings of Power. 😆
Nice collection sir. I have the Easton press set and its exquisite! Cheers mate.
Yeah, and it’s only growing. I’m slowly getting the whole Legendarium in the nice slipcase editions. Hard to stop! 😬😆
I have that same beautiful 2021 deluxe edition as you do. My justification was that I didn't have a single volume printing of Lord of the Rings. So that's my excuse! Thanks for sharing these!
Perfect excuse, if you ask me. 😉
My daughter gave me the 'red edition' for my birthday. It is truly wonderful and almost too nice to actually read.
Not to mention too big and heavy! 😅 I have my “collection” books and my “reading” books, and that’s definitely not a reader. For that, I’m about to start a re-read with the recent Clarion paperbacks, with the gorgeous Johan Egerkrans covers. 😍
That shiny black is called a spot varnish
I used to design books, and used to know that. But it’s been a looong time - thanks for the reminder, Liam. 🙂👌🏻
What a glorious collection!
Thanks Samuel. 🙂
Buy yourself the Atlas of Miiddle Earth if you dont already have it and give the silmarillion another honest try with the atlas to help visualize the landscape. you owe it to yourself!
Excellent recommendation, thanks! 🙂
I totally feel you on the issue with collecting when moving. I'm not yet done moving, and I will probably move twice again before finally ending up in a house I'll plan to stay in for a long time.... but I can't help myself and have started collecting. Moving is not going to be overly nice for me! Haha
Yeah, I had quite a few books when I moved in, but since then I’ve gone nuts! 😆
💍 I have two copies, a well worn single volume paperback and a fancy hardback that my mother purchased for me. I think I too DNF-ed the Silmarillion and never went back to it either. I fully agree with you on the black bands not lining up, BTW! I like these types of deep dive vs a bookshelf tour. The details of where they came from, why you got them, and general thoughts are super interesting. The low impulse control edition is incredible. I can see it being easy to want multiple editions when they are all this fabulous. I did consider getting the most recent fancy edition, but I’m not really a Special Edition collector. Not usually anyway, but Broken Binding have broken me, shall we say.
So far I just drool at the Broken Binding and Folio Society, but especially FS has some special editions I'll eventually find an excuse to buy...
Lovely presentation! I've heard the entire The Lord Of The Rings on audiobooks in English twice while I was working on a production line wearing hearing protectors which had bluetooth. I cried and had to take a moment for myself at the end of the story both times. I just started reading the book on paperback translated to Norwegian Nynorsk (the translator got a prize for his work on this translation in 2007) after finishing The Hobbit of the same translator (The Hobbit I believe I've read 6 or 7 times in total now, it's my favourite book. I'm 27 for the record). I've found a really nice edition of The Lord Of The Rings in a single volume hardback illustrated by Alan Lee which I really want (in English). I agree with you that Lee's illustrations is what Middle Earth looks and feels like. Thank you for this video, cheers from Norway.
Thanks Samuel. 🙂
Very nice collection! An interesting note on the burnt paper: it is a recreation of a page Tolkien himself made and burnt to help with his world building. I can't remember the terminology but it's altered to look real. That page is the one they found in Moria and part of the book of Mazarbul. The lengths Tolkien went to, to make a realistic world, he truly was someone special! I wish you luck with the Silmarillion it is incredibly epic! I read a chapter a day and made it through. Could speak forever on the Silm, I love it! 😁
Distressed? Aged? Is that what you mean? It's funny: opening that edition and finding those, it felt like I was opening a new roleplaying game adventure - they sometimes have similar in-world artefacts. The best example was the Dracula Dossier which had newspaper clippings, flyers, and even the whole novel Dracula with additions, redactions, notes and underlinings. Funny, since Tolkien did the same things, and RPGs probably wouldn't exist without him. Thanks for telling me, Austen, I hadn't known that! :-)
@@MattonBooks I guess the term I was looking for is 'fascimile' for the paper and he used frame story for his method of storytelling to make it more authentic! I am happy to share from one Tolkien fan to another! :) I couldn't find which Wikipedia page it was on it ended up being somewhere on the Silmarillion one! That is way interesting, I still need to read Dracula! I have been wanting to get into tabletop RPGs so that sounds awesome!!! Thanks for sharing!
@@austenishoss If you’re just getting into RPGs, Dracula Dossier probably isn’t a great place to start since its pretty complex, but if you run into an experienced GM who has it, definitely play it. 🙂👌🏻
@@MattonBooks sounds good! I definitely need to find a group. Thanks for sharing that with me that is way cool to know about, I didn't even know that was a thing!
I was recently in a used book store and they were selling a 1974 book club edition box set for $25. Its clearly not a particularly special edition or anything and the text is sooo tiny that its almost unreadable, but I really dug the throwback cover/spine design so had to pick it up for the price. Its the only copy I have and its motivated me to finally read LoTR (I only recently got into reading fantasy). Cool to see all these other awesome editions that you have!
Any edition is the perfect one, as long as you read it! Enjoy the amazing adventure!
audiobooks are the way to go for me personally.
I’ve recently learned to enjoy audiobooks, but there’s something very satisfying about having these lovely creations on my shelf. ♥️
As a fellow Tolkien fan who failed to finish The Silmarillion, I'm with you. And I'm sure there are many more of us. It's such a hard read. I want to give it another try, but never get around to it.
I’ll definitely be trying again this year. I just snagged the brand new special deluxe edition - which is a pretty normally priced hardback, but beautiful - and I’m guessing I might get through it better 40 years after my first attempt. 😜
Hi there. I’m now looking at editions of different Tolkien books, and tip of the list is the LOR. I’ve been eying the 60th Anniversary Ed that you have - love the original dust jackets and the Reader’s Companion. Have you read it yet? Have you used the companion with it too? I’m leaning more towards that set bc of the companion and I’m sure the multi volume set will be more easily read than a 1,200-page single volume of LOR. Although I may have to buy that 2021 edition - it’s gorgeous. Thanks!
I’ve been re-reading the paperback edition with the gorgeous Egerkrans covers - I prefer paperbacks for reading by far, just due to the weight. The companion is pretty cool for sure, if you want some extra depth. And if REALLY do, check out Tolkien’s letters and a bunch of additional material by other authors.
Great intro!
Thanks!
Just subscribed.
I'm 49 and I haven't read TLOTR since my teens so I'd like to involve myself in the read-along.
Previously I skipped over the songs and poems.
Currently I'm rationing the books I buy to one for every two I read. I've an unread backlog I need to get through.
Thanks Paul. 🙂 Smart TBR plan!
Also love the children of hurin, one of my favs too
Still need to read that. I haven’t gone much beyond The Hobbit and LotR, yet.
I have The Easton Press Editions which is just spectacular.
I’ll have to look it up, as if air need more editions! 😆
Try holding that Hobbit fold out map up to the light. On some of those newer deluxe versions of the hobbit, the finger pointing to the runs is printed in reverse on the rear of the map, so you can see it through the map, when held up to the light. As, I believe, Tolkien originally intended.
That sounds awesome Paul, but just checked it out, and on my slipcase edition’s map, unfortunately the hand is just printed on the map as it usually is.
acho que eu nunca compraria uma edição com todos os livros em apenas um, mas é TÃO LINDO
I’m afraid I don’t speak a work of Spanish…
Oh, and I have two editions at the moment: the deluxe edition, and I have the Easton Press editions. But I'm hoping to find that blue boxed set from the '80's that I read first, if I can find a good condition copy. I regret selling those.
Yeah, if I could find the silver anniversary boxed set that didn’t look like it’d been locked down the road a few hundred times, I’d love to have it.
The Lord of the Rings is my Favorite book. Good video!
Thanks for watching! 🙂
Those were all very nice editions. I have an edition of the trilogy as one book in paperback don't remember the year, then I have the 2014 illustrated editions Houghtin Mifflin released of The Hobbit, the trilogy, and the Silmarillion (I also have not finished this one, but I try ever now and again) and then I have the pocket edition set of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. I use the last one if I plan to read during my lunch break at work. The only problem I have with my illustrated hardbacks is like the centennial edition, they are heavy enough you'd want to read them at a table. I love seeing what editions of books other people have, so finding this video was a treat.
Glad you enjoyed Julie, I loved sharing. 😍 So many beautiful books out there.
I just got the red leather edition yesterday ☠️ it’s so nice. The hardest part is deciding how to display it!
Indeed! 😬
I was born in 1971 and that silver jubilee edition of LOTR was my first LOTR as well. I was in elementary school and my uncle bought them for me at Waldenbooks in the mall. I don't have as many different editions of LOTR but I do have 17 different editions of The Hobbit in at least 8 different languages. Nerds rule :)
Nerds rule! 🤘🏻😀🤘🏻 And 17 Hobbits! Wow. 😳
Great collection.
Thanks Tony. 🙂
I read them with the Tolkien dictionaries and reference books. Generations of references for each character. Took forever to finish that way. Fond times. I still have them all and collectible book versions, the red leather and the broown letter.
I’ve never really used those kinds of secondary books, until I started getting into King Arthur stories. This time around, I’m keeping various Middle Earth references at hand. 🙂
I lol’d at the Low impulse control edition.. hey, I’m the same. One of my few guilty pleasure is nice editions Tolkien.
Yeah, I so didn’t need it. But it’s gooooorgeous. 😍😆
Im planning on getting the 50th year anniversary edition, because it is basically the modern repriting of the last one you showed. Same cover and also contains tons of Alan Lee, which I also LOVE. Woild prefer the edition you own, but IDK if it's still available.
Yeah mate, the one I've got is pretty old now. You might be able to find it on Abe Books or somewhere like that, but if they're doing a reprint, that'd be much easier to get.
Looks like they've continued to make the nice red leather edition (at least as of the end of 2022), but it's twice as expensive as the 50th anniversary deluxe edition, so I'm going with that one (ordered from Amazon UK since Amazon US doesn't have it). The extra illustrations are nice in the newer special edition, but I prefer one that I can match with the other books.
I have loved lord of the rings since I was about nine after seeing the Jackson trilogy and later the hobbit trilogy. But only now at almost 23 I started actually reading them for the first time. I listened to the hobbit and fellowship as audiobooks a while back but never got around to listening to two towers and return. I read the hobbit a recently. I just finished reading fellowhip and will start two towers tomorrow! I have the first paperback set that you showed. I like reading on the go so they fit in a bag easily. I have the silmarillion and unfinished tales of the same set and the story of Kullervo. I also have one of the large 50th anniversary editions of the lotr. Those books are just something special and I constantly find myself looking for othr versions of them
I love seeing younger folks get into the books - I know many who love the movies, but don’t even try reading the story.
I’m re-reading the books right now, about to start The Two Towers. Check out my blogs of The Fellowship from last month if you’re interested. 🙂
Thumbnail is what I will be after years like 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Do you mean I look old, or that you’ll have a huge stack? 😆
I had a copy of the "Well loved edition" (same art anyway) but in softcover. Lost in a move.
Time to get a new one, mate! 😀
@@MattonBooks Ehh...I'm old, sick, and tired in a tiny apartment... no room for books really. I've adapted to Kindle :) But I did love that edition.
I still have my Ballantine Books box-set from the early 70s, with covers by Barbara Remington that, side-by-side, create a larger mural. This is the set that was given to me by my 6th grade teacher, which launched my fantasy reading journey, and later my writing journey.
My biggest problem with all of the various sets of LOTR that I've owned over the years is that I keep giving them away. As my nieces and nephews came of age, I would give them whatever set I had, only to realize that those sets are no longer available. Ah well, spreading the love, I suppose.
Yeah mate, nothing to regret in giving someone some awesome books. 🙂👌🏻
I have that set as well butbfor some reason am missing the Hobbit. I have a cheesy boxed set as my 'reader' copy. But if an older editiin shows up at Half Price I might pick it up.
Hello! I've a question. I seen on Amazon the Clarion Books one (your newest), but I wonder if that one have the apendixes. If yes, I'll buy it rn hahahah
Indeed they do. Put your order in. 😀
@@MattonBooks hahaha thanks a lot!!
I have the boxset from that Swedish guy art work 👌 better than I thought it was going to be and cost less than the special edition
Yeah, those are beautiful. ❤️
I reread the hobbit and the lord of the rings a couple months ago. I plan to read the entire middle earth books in chronological order at the start of next year. It’s hard not to get every edition. I would love to get the one with the original covers, they look amazing
Yeah Marina, it's a constant war of self-control. And the original covers (never published, but Tolkien's original desired covers) edition is pretty sweet. €60/$75 on Amazon. ;-)
@@MattonBooks I wouldn’t mind getting the covers as prints but 4 hardcover books is too much for my limited shelve space. On the bright side they are used as inside covers in the 2021 deluxe editions.
That's pretty awesome!!!!!!!!! I got volume two myself but not so pretty as the leather bound edition. Awesome Matt!
Thanks Brenda! 🙂 I go back & forth between loving having those fancy editions, and thinking I’m an idiot because they’re so nice I’ll never actually read them. 😆
I've never read any of Tolkien's books but I really want to get into that World. I just don't know which editions to get for my first time reading it.
The ones I mentioned with Johan Egerkrans covers are very nice. 🙂
I hope you get more Subs. Always love to know that there is another Tolkien Fan :D!!!
Thanks Simoun. 🙂 If I just wanted subs, I’d do only videos about Tolkien. 😆 But I read lots of other authors too, and my subs are steadily growing, so I’m fine with that.
@@MattonBooks Well that's a Win-Win then right? :D!!!
I actually own a Limited Edition Hobbit Book that my Dad bought and it even had it's own CD to use on a DVD player that is an "Audiobook" plus a Map of Middle-Earth and some photos of Tolkien himself. Super cool.
It's not a matching Hobbit (2004) or Silmarillion (2007), that is of a different series. (which I have)
They made a similar Hobbit (2023) of the LotR (2021, Red/black) you have there, as did they for the Silmarillion (2022, which is absolutely stunning). Which is the series I would like to have as well. lol
Hard to keep track of all the editions. 😅 I’ve seen the window Sillmarillion and, of course, want it.
No wonder it is one of the most sold books in the world. I also have several editions in english and german including a one book edition with the artwork of Alan Lee.
The Alan Lee TOME is still my favourite edition. 😍
I also read those paperback versions of The Hobbit and LotR as a kid. I still have that edition of The Hobbit but no longer have the others because I have a few special editions of LotR.
I have the Easton Press versions of LotR as part of the Masterpieces of Fantasy set that came out in the early 90s.
Then I also have the omnibus edition that came out in 1992 to celebrate what would have been Tolkien's 100th birthday.
I've been considering getting the special edition with the slip case you have.
I've also been tempted by the newest version with the script from the one ring stenciled on the edges.
Do I really need more versions of LotR? Maybe. Lol
It's not about need, Angela, it's about my preciousssss... ;-)
@@MattonBooks 🤣
For me too, these were the first adult books I ever read. And I just realised that I have never read Lord of the Rings in English. I only ever read it in Dutch translation. Shock.
As someone who can read 2 languages, I’d recommend trying the English edition. Tolkien used English in a very particular way, and translations are NEVER the same.
any one pl tell me the sequence of reading complete series and book list
Um, to read Lord of the Rings, it’s Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, then Return of the King. Beyond LotR there’s a lot of Middle Earth stuff, but I won’t try and list it all here. 😉
That's a lovely collection! It's strange but Tolkien's books are the only ones I can own in a different edidions and I can justify it :D I am from Slovakia, so I focus on editions published in slovak or czech language. Just LotR I have in 6 different editions even though I still miss one The Return of the King that is difficult to find (it's quite rare illustrated slovak edition), but the most beautiful of them is for sure that red last year edition illustrated by the author that you also have. I bought it few weeks ago and even though it has some issues, it's a beautiful book. Also I got matching The Silmarillion illustrated by the author, slightly different than yours, that is made in exactly the same style as that LotR with quarter leatherbound and a window in the slipcase, just in blue color. I hope they will make The Hobbit that matches it next year, it would be really awesome! But also intersting edition of The Hobbit is the facsimile of the first edition with the original chapter Riddles in the Dark that Tolkien later changed so it matches LotR.
I realised that Silmarillion with the window existed too late. 😬 Would’ve got it if I’d known. May end up getting it eventually anyway. 😜
@@MattonBooks Yeah, it came out just in november but I really recommend it, if you are into maps, it has a couple of really amazing ones and also I like that the pages are made of thicker paper than in that LotR, so you can read it without being worried of damaging the book, which is one of downsides of that LotR edition, but I understand that it has so many pages they just had to make this decision :/
Yeah, that’s the stupid thing about me & really nice editions in general: I love having them, but I’m kind of afraid to actually read them. 😆
@@MattonBooks don't worry, I am the same 😁😁
Good thing I have 2 good paperback editions. 😉
Cool video :D
I'm currently rereading the trilogy in a more than years old, very damaged edition of my mother and I'm going to get myself an edition soon. I'm probably going to choose the 2020 illustrated edition (also illustrated by Sir Alan Lee :D)
While I love these books I do NOT agree with your statement that the books are better than the movies :)
I think they're about on par. While there are differences, they are always chosen out of artistical reasons and to achieve the best result telling the same story (with as much of the same subtext etc. as possible) in a different medium (being movies of course). These films are my absolute favorite movies of all time and by far the best book adaption existing in my opinion. That's also why I will soon see all 3 of them in cinema (12h+ xD)
Have a Good Day :D
Yeah, it hard to say better/worse really. The thing about books is everything happens in my head, and is therefore very personal somehow, in a way movies can’t match.
@@MattonBooks They are different art forms after all :) Both give the artist and the consumer unique advantages that the other one doesn't have. I think that might be one of the reasons why book adaptions are made at all... if it was just the exact same as the book there wouldn't be much of a reason to do it at all
Hello everybody I have a question.... is the Film Tie-in Edition good ? Or it's different from the original book...?
Hi Erfan. 🙂 As far as I know, there aren’t any significant differences in those editions. Hardcore fans might point out that some editions have small edits here and there, but basically they’re all the same.
@Matt on Books Thanks for your attention and answer.
only literature and studying help us to tolerate and continue to fight against Dictatorship .... At least 500 of our best friends were murdered in Iran ....why? Because we say we want freedoms....women life freedom ....
amazing collection, but you have to read The Silmarillion, it's an amazing book, my favorite of all time.
Do you love history books? It sounds like you love history books. 😆 Yeah, I definitely plan to try again. 👌🏻
@@MattonBooks Haha yeah, I love history books, you catch me 😂
No gloves? I would be scared actually read several of those.
A friend went to Marquette for the sole reason that is where the Tolkein librairy somehow ended up. He has quite a few editions, movie books, multiple copies of the various movies and likely every game ever made.
Hah! 😆 As far as I’m concerned, books are to be read, not archived. I actually enjoy the patina they develop over the years, so no gloves for ny shelves! 😜
I have 1995 paperback one volume edition of lord of the rings , three copies of the 2021 Standard edition of lord of the rings , which have sprayed red edges and the ring rhyme on the edges of the pages ,(I have three because to me it looked so good ) , and because of issues with the deluxe quarter red leather bound deluxe edition, (my first copy had 15 blank pages , my second copy pages were joined together, ) I have two copies of the deluxe quarter bound red leather lord of the rings , and as of this year again because of issues with this years quarter blue leather bound Silmarillion,(also with Tolkien illustrations ) I have three copies of that . The 2021 Orange cloth bound Silmarillion, with illustrations by Ted Naismith , blue cloth bound unfinished takes , this years deluxe edition of the fall of Numenor , and also the 60th anniversary blue cloth binding and clear plastic slipcase of the lord of the rings with illustrations by Alan lee .
You win! 😀 Sounds like a stunning collection.
I bought the red edition of the lord of the rings a few days ago and you summarized very well how i feel about it! There’s just something very special in reading LOTR in such a fine book like that!
Indeed Miguel! 😍
wow im so jealous!!!
Don’t be jealous Dino, go out and get some nice editions instead! 😉
@@MattonBooks don't tempt me I'm trying to save not spend haha 😂
Bet you wish you'd held off on the Silmarillion considering what was released last month.
Indeed. May just need to get the new one too. 😉
I'm not going to give you flack about DNF'ing the Silmarillion. It's a dense and tough read. I was only able to do it by getting the audiobook of it. It really is worth a shot at the audiobook.
I definitely want to try again, maybe next year… 🤔
@@MattonBooks Excellent! By the way, I have a copy the Silmarillion with illustrations by Ted Nasmith on some nice heavy, gloss paper. Not a reader copy, but it's the first in my efforts to get a all hardback, illustrated collection of Tolkien's works
Nice! Right after this video they released the slipcase edition of The Silmarillion with the window. 🙄 So might have to get that too. 😜
@@MattonBooks My wallet didn't need me to know that... Best of luck on the next attempt!
Who says you can't judge a book by it's cover? While I really enjoyed the detailed review of the outside of these books I was hoping to learn how they look on the inside. Specifically the typesettng. My copy of a 2nd edition HM boxed set uses thick type that's just not very pleasant to read. My 75th anniversary Hobbit hardcover is much more readable.
Good feedback, thanks. It’s funny - I’m a bit of a typography nerd, and would totally be able to get very into what the typesetting’s like, but always thought nobody else would be even slightly interested.
I hate to break it to you, sir, but your slipcovered Silmarillion and Hobbit, while beautiful, are not of the same series as your slipcovered LoTR. I have the Deluxe Edition of LoTR (illustrated by JRRT) as well as the matching Silmarillion - that one is in blue & black with silver-gilded page edges. I'm rather impatiently waiting for The Hobbit to receive the same treatment, hopefully later this year or early next year.
I also have the Alan Lee illustrated edition. If you've seen the Peter Jackson movies, you may notice that several illustrations made their way into the films - Minas Tirith, the base of Orthanc, and The Mirror of Galadriel.
My JRRT collection has gotten rather extensive over the years. It would be easier to send photos. Currently, I have four hardcover editions each of The Silmarillion and The Hobbit, and FIVE single-volume editions of LoTR. The rest of the Library is The Histories of Middle Earth, Letters, The Tolkien Companion, etc, etc....
Thanks Michael. 🙂 I think you're about the 5th person to point that out. 😜 The Silmarillion with window is already on my To Buy list. 😉
@@MattonBooks It's a beautiful edition. WORTH IT!
Some authors like Stephen king , Tolkien , Arthur Conan Doyle and many more just hit different and have managed to secure a sweet spot in memories and heart of the readers
Indeed. 🙂
And sadly, none of the edition of TLOTR is how the author wanted it to be. For it to be as he intended they must be: (1) a single volume, (2) the ring inscription after being in the chimney fire must be printed in red, (3) the pages of Mazarbul book must be a fold-out, (4) the maps must be fold-out, (5) the "Epilogue" must be reinstated. Also, (6) the text must be that of the "50th Anniversary" plus the latest errata found by the editors (one map have the river names interchanged [Allan Lee edition] and some minor text fixes).
5:33 The 2014 pocket one does not have (1), being three volumes, nor (3)+(4) even as unbounded folded. And (5) is nowhere.
8:01 The 2021 expensive one does not have (2), being printed in black, nor (3) is unbounded with a fake "back" that was a digital mockup, and (4) are not fold-out but unbounded folded. And (5) is nowhere.
Ah, an expert! Welcome to the channel. 🙂 Interesting info I wasn’t aware of. Still, I really enjoy my editions, even if they’re imperfect. 😉
What's with the subliminal cola advert at the start of this ???
Uh… wasn’t sure what you were talking about, so I rewatched the first few minutes and… I’m still not sure what you’re talking about? 😅
@@MattonBooks@MattonBooks Hi Matt, Just as your video started, I got the briefest glimpse of a Coca-Cola advert. It just flickered and was gone. I've since seen an Air Canada ad of the same type on a different TH-cam channel. I reckon that someone is using subliminal advertising, and you are not aware.
But on the plus side, I like your stuff. I have first/firsts of both The Hobbit and LOTR (my "preciouses"), though the dust cover is missing from my Hobbit book. The original paper covers of the LOTR books are incredibly thin and easy to damage. I'm drawn to the various boxed books with hardback covers. I got the orange-finished Silmarillion, and, at this reading, it's become manageable.
Maybe you could review the Audible version of the Silmarillion. It was re-recorded by Andy Serkis. His performance style makes the Silmarillion much more accessible.
really good collection but there is a mismatch in the deluxe versions of the lord of the rings and the silmarillion/hobbit in that the all red Lord of the rings edition you have is the latest 2021 deluxe edition and is unique because it contains all Tolkiens' own hand drawn illustrations. The Silmarillion /Hobbit deluxe editions you have are part of the much older collection of deluxe and also text only editions that go with the 50th anniversary Lord of the Rings deluxe slipcase book (2004) which is burgundy and white and was also available as part of a boxset known as the Tolkien Deluxe edition collection also including the deluxe edition of the Children of hurin edition. The 2022 deluxe edition of the Silmarillion matches your 2021 Lord of the rings edition because it has again uniqely all Tolkiens own drawings included within it and the book is completely blue. I hope they bring out a similar Hobbit book to match the latest 2021 and 2022 Lord of the Rings and Silmarillion editions.
Yup, thanks for pointing that out. 🙂 A few people beat you to it, so the new Silmarillion with window is already on my wishlist. 👌🏻And surely they’ve got to finish the set and bring out a new pretty Hobbit? Surely?
I also really hope they’ll bring out Sil & The Hobbit in paperback with the Egerkrans covers. They did in Swedish already, so maybe it’s just a matter of time…
Weirdly engaging.
😆 Thanks Joseph. TBH I was pretty uncertain it’d interest anyone, but I guess if I’m excited about these books, someone else could be too.
Impossible to place your accet ...
I can’t even guess how often I’ve heard that. 😆 I was born in the US, grew up in Australia, and live in Germany, which probably explains it.
I won't ever read the silmarillion because it was not completed by tolkien himself. It's not his true vision and died with him
Can’t say myself that that means it’s not interesting and worth reading, but to each his own.
The black lines not lining up is probably a printing error
No doubt.
What is the difference between your adolescent and teenage years and now reading the tolkTolkien.? 🎉🎉🎉 great channel
Thanks Shemiah. 😘 I’m curious to read LotR again soon, since being a booktuber has drastically changed the way I read. I guess now I’d just be MUCH more conscious of the writing itself, whereas as a kid I was just transported to Middle Earth.
So, I am in the right place. 📕📗📘📙📖📚📓
Welcome! 🙂