Forthcoming Edition of The Lord of the Rings

 

It was discovered that there will be two special editions of The Lord of the Rings being published on October 14, 2021. So if you want either of them, use the provided ISBNs on Blackwell's one month prior to publication date at the latest.

There will be a collector's edition (which seems to be unique: a kind of a mix between the 'usual' style, and the new ones for The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales.)



First up, the collector's edition:

ISBN: 9780008471293

Sumptuous slipcased edition of Tolkien’s classic epic tale of adventure, fully illustrated in colour for the first time by the author himself. Limited to a worldwide first printing of just 3,000 copies, this deluxe volume is quarterbound in leather and includes many special features unique to this edition.

Since it was first published in 1954, The Lord of the Rings has been a book people have treasured. Steeped in unrivalled magic and otherworldliness, its sweeping fantasy and epic adventure has touched the hearts of young and old alike. Over 100 million copies of its many editions have been sold around the world, and occasional collectors’ editions become prized and valuable items of publishing.

This one-volume deluxe slipcased edition contains the complete text, fully corrected and reset, which is printed in red and black and features, for the very first time, thirty colour illustrations, maps and sketches drawn by Tolkien himself as he composed this epic work. These include the pages from the Book of Mazarbul, marvellous facsimiles created by Tolkien to accompany the famous ‘Bridge of Khazad-dum’ chapter. Also appearing are two full-size, fold-out maps revealing all the detail of Middle-earth.

This very special deluxe edition is quarterbound in cloth and red leather, with raised ribs on the spine and stamped in two foils. The pages are edged in gold and contained within are special features unique to this edition. It is limited to a worldwide first printing of just 3,000 copies.

Now for the standard edition.

ISBN: 9780008471286

For the first time ever, a very special edition of the classic masterpiece, illustrated throughout in colour by the author himself and with the complete text printed in two colours.

Since it was first published in 1954, The Lord of the Rings has been a book people have treasured. Steeped in unrivalled magic and otherworldliness, its sweeping fantasy and epic adventure has touched the hearts of young and old alike. Over 150 million copies of its many editions have been sold around the world, and occasional collectors’ editions become prized and valuable items of publishing.

This one-volume hardback edition contains the complete text, fully corrected and reset, which is printed in red and black and features, for the very first time, thirty colour illustrations, maps and sketches drawn by Tolkien himself as he composed this epic work. These include the pages from the Book of Mazarbul, marvellous facsimiles created by Tolkien to accompany the famous ‘Bridge of Khazad-dum’ chapter. Also appearing are two full-size, fold-out maps drawn by Christopher Tolkien revealing all the detail of Middle-earth.

Sympathetically packaged to reflect the classic look of the first edition, this new edition of the bestselling hardback will prove irresistible to collectors and new fans alike.

Worthy of note, is that there isn't a 3-book boxed set. Hopefully that won't mean that font and paper and quality won't be compromised in order to fit everything into 1 book. However, HarperCollins was capable of maintaining font and paper quality with the Alan Lee 2014 illustrated slipcased edition.

Time will tell if there will be a 3-book boxed set, as well as if other Tolkien titles will be getting a similar release, or if these will be 'Unique Editions'.

If I were to pick one: I'd likely go for the white one.