The Fireside

  I have a bone to pick with the the Tolkien community: TCG (Tolkien Collector's Guide).  It is a fantastic resource, filled with tons of info, along with news of upcoming books, and some great photos.  But there's one issue: the moderators are hypocritical assholes.  I admit, I've had my fair share of rough history with some of the moderators (one in particular....) so there might be some bias here. However, each time I've done something they didn't like, it was addressed in a condescending manner: sorry, I don't read the rules every time I log on. Oops, I forgot to use 'search'....However, the gist of it, is this: If something happens on a topic that they  don't like or they  don't agree with (even if you're correct and they're wrong) your comment will be removed, and your account could vanish. That, and they don't seem to grasp that the way that their site is set up is in message board style....which encourages and engages discussi...

  HarperCollins is doing a great job at putting the various Tolkien books out into the Signature Collection series of paperbacks.  ....so what's left?? ~  Letters From Father Christmas  (previous paperback ISBN:  9780007280490). I noticed that various editions of  Letters From Father Christmas  typically come out Oct or November, so maybe Oct 2026 going by that...?  ~  The Fall of Numenor  (will likely occur with a future reprint. Current paperback ISBN:9780008655679) ~  The History of The Hobbit  (as 2 volumes. Part 1 ISBN:  9780007266463 . Part 2 ISBN:  9780007266470  ) or,  A Brief History of The Hobbit  (ISBN:  9780007557257 ) ~  The Song of Middle-earth  (ISBN:  9780008184 810 ) ~  The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun  (current ISBN:  9780008202156 ) ~  Author of the Century  (ISBN:  9780261104013 ) If all of the above were to be issued into the Signat...

  Today marks 70 years since The Lord of the Rings  was published in full, by way of The Return of the King  being published.  Since that The Lord of the Rings  is one novel (not a series of  them), I always choose to recognize its significant anniversaries when The Return of the King was published, not The Fellowship of the Ring .  There are a bevy of editions to choose from, however, the appropriate 70th Anniversary Edition should be showcased in this post.  The description reads: " Three-volume, deluxe slipcased hardback set of The Lord of the Rings , illustrated throughout by acclaimed Tolkien artist, Alan Lee. Features exclusive new paintings and dozens of drawings appearing for the very first time, together with three removable art cards and two foldout maps. Since it was first published, The Lord of the Rings has been a book people have treasured. Steeped in unrivalled magic and otherworldliness, this work of sweeping fantasy has touched t...

  More details have come through for the upcoming Lord of the Rings  70th Anniversary Limited Edition. Info follows below: "Since it was first published seventy years ago,  The Lord of the Rings  has been a book people have treasured. Steeped in unrivalled magic and otherworldliness, this work of sweeping fantasy has touched the hearts of young and old alike. No edition has proved more popular than the Centenary edition illustrated by award-winning artist, Alan Lee. Now, for the first time since its publication in 1992, it has been revised and expanded with new paintings and illustrations, and is presented in a stunning three-volume boxed edition, numbered and signed by the artist and with many unique and exclusive features. This very special three-volume edition of The Lord of the Rings has been printed by Graphicom S.p.A. in Vicenza, Italy, on Munken L...

  I've updated the Master Listing for the Tolkien Signature Paperback Collection for a few items: https://insurrbution.blogspot.com/2024/05/the-tolkien-signature-paperback.html I've added Finn and Hengest  and The Monsters and the Critics .  Of the Tolkien books that currently exist in paperback, not many of them exist that aren't available in the Signature format.  This next bit is going on assumptions, though once/if these titles make it to the style, expect it as such: Collection VII: The Fall of Numenor  and The History of The Hobbit .  There may be a few more titles to make a Collection XII out of, and also once all Tolkien paperbacks by HarperCollins are out in the Signature Collection, I may re-organize some of the Collections (specifically, Collections XI & IX, for instance.  We'll see what titles continue to come out, that is. 

  I’d like to take a moment of appreciation for this edition of LotR , from back in 2014 (ISBN 9780007525546). This edition is now out of print, and is no longer sold new from the likes of Waterstones, Blackwell’s, Amazon directly, etc . Description: “A sumptuous new one-volume edition of Tolkien’s classic masterpiece that is fully illustrated throughout in watercolour by the acclaimed and award-winning artist, Alan Lee, and housed in a special transparent slipcase. 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 has touched the hearts of young and old alike. Well 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. With the epic trilogy now an acclaimed, award-winning and billion-dollar success, images of the characters and landscapes have become iconic...

Earlier today, it was announced that there would be a clamshell boxed set of The Lord of the Rings , celebrating its 70th Anniversary.  It will be limited edition and if interested, sign up for notices here:  https://signup.harpercollins.co.uk/join/6n7/signup-tolkien-clamshell-waitinglist?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMAh-tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHjE92MmKi9w2wE0ikk89jkv8bpFPpvB1lByU9w1ur2LxJac8plJQ7CKf7Y9X_aem_e7NcBW1HPC2vAHv9A31reQ More details will come through this blog (via follow-up posts), hopefully in a timely manner. But, to get the most up-to-date info, please check out the above link as opposed to relying on me!  It will be a 'more deluxe' edition of the deluxe edition that was published in 2024, and definitely  for the most ardent of fans. As of this writing, the 202 set is the best overall, wit regards to quality and cost. The higher these tiers go, the more they cost - but is that cost justified? That comes down to individual preference and taste. What I meant earlier is, you...

There are a bunch of new editions of the Narnia  books coming throughout the year. This year marks 75 years since the first published book in the series, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe .   This post will recap and break down what they are. All will be available by November.    Hardcover and Paperback Boxed Sets Sharing the box art and dustjacket covers for both formats, is the boxed set of all 7 individual books.  Here's the cover art for each: Hardback Box Set: 9780060244880 Enter the magical world of C. S. Lewis's classic fantasy series  The Chronicles of Narnia , in this deluxe hardcover box set. Journeys into magical realms, battles between good and evil, talking creatures, and more, await readers of all ages in  The Chronicles of Narnia . This timeless box set makes the perfect gift and includes all seven titles in the must-read  Chronicles of Narnia  series— The Magician's Nephew ;  The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrob...

  Coming this November is a deluxe edition of The Hobbit, illustrated by Alan Lee. This edition will match the 70th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of The Lord of the Rings . It's great that this edition will exist, as it'll mean that the recent edition of LotR  won't be "alone." Perhaps in the near future a Ted Nasmith illustrated deluxe edition of The Silmarillion  - in this style , that is - will exist....?   The ISBN for this (for the HarperCollins edition) is  9780008779900  . Note that it will also be available in the States from William Morrow.  Deluxe slipcased hardback edition of The Hobbit, illustrated throughout by acclaimed Tolkien artist, Alan Lee. Features exclusive new paintings and black & white designs appearing for the very first time, together with a removable art card and two foldout maps. Whisked away from his comfortable, unambitious life in his hobbit-hole in Bag End by Gandalf the wizard and a band of dwarves, Bilbo Ba...

 Just wanted to quickly let you know that this post has been updated a few times: https://insurrbution.blogspot.com/2024/05/the-tolkien-signature-paperback.html Some new titles have been added that will be coming out in the new style within a few months. 

  A new Tolkien book has been announced for publication in the fall: The Bovadium Fragments . It's certainly one that I haven't heard of before, and as such, was not expecting. Off the bat, it is not  Middle-earth related. I know there's some readers that only care for the Middle-earth material, so I wanted to make that distinction. It would fit more in line with material such as Mr. Bliss  and Tales From the Perilous Realm . It has been announced as both hardback and eBook, from both publishers. As such, ISBNs won't be needed, as finding it should be simple enough at this stage. I'm undecided as to which format I'd want: hardback (I understand the appeal of a new Tolkien book in hardback, though I'm looking forward to unboxing/'look inside' type videos), eBook (to have  and read, without taking up physical space) or to wait for the paperback edition. As time draws near and I see  more of the book....I'll reach a decision. But I will get it!  To ...

  The 'Tolkien Signature Collection' has now had quite a few titles added to it, as you can see from my Master Post, found here: https://insurrbution.blogspot.com/2024/05/the-tolkien-signature-paperback.html There are, however, a few titles here and there yet to make it to that precise format, which paperback editions do  exist. I'll outline what exists in paperback, but is not yet in The Signature Collection. I'm sourcing an older post, with updates where necessary. ~ Letters From Father Christmas . I can picture how this could look in my head: it would feature the image which has adorned the front covers in shape or form of various editions over recent years; and the book's colour would be red. HarperCollins could use a new ISBN for it, or merely use the one of the previous paperback edition:  9780007280490. Perhaps the foil stamping would be silver rather than gold for this one instance - much like the deluxe edition. This is also worthy of mention, due to the fa...

  Coming this August, is The Great Tales Trilogy as a boxed set! Finally! Both HarperCollins and William Morrow will be publishing this: HarperCollins:  9780008360108 William Morrow:  9780063447981 The Great Tales of Middle-earth  is a beautiful box set of the three final novels of Middle-earth:  The Children of Húrin ,  Beren and Lúthien , and  The Fall of Gondolin , packaged together and ready for gifting. Completing Christopher Tolkien’s lifelong achievement as the curator of his father J.R.R. Tolkien’s manuscripts,  The Great Tales  features handsome color plates and maps by famed illustrator Alan Lee and a map by Christopher Tolkien. The Children of Húrin  was the first standalone story by J.R.R. Tolkien since the 1977 publication of  The Silmarillion . Six thousand years before the One Ring is destroyed, Middle-earth lies under the shadow of the Dark Lord Morgoth. The greatest heroes among elves and men have perished, and all ...

  The info for next year's calendar (going on sale later this  year) has been revealed! Since that William Morrow is now practically identical to HarperCollins (since  The Fall of Numenor  and the Author Illustrated Trilogy), I will now showcase them  both . Each new Tolkien release since those titles has been the same - when offered by publishers, that is - has been the exact same, except for the publisher name and logo.  HarperCollins, July 17:  9780008737771 William Morrow, August 12:  9780063443716 The official Tolkien calendar, this year containing 13 breathtaking paintings inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s three 'Great Tales' of Middle-earth: THE CHILDREN OF HÚRIN, BEREN AND LÚTHIEN and THE FALL OF GONDOLIN. Featuring beautiful artwork by Alan Lee, including a selection of stunning new paintings and drawings appearing here for the first time. The official Tolkien calendar has become an established publishing event, eagerly anticipated by Tolkien ...

  Christopher Tolkien's translation of The Saga of King Heidrek the Wise  is coming to paperback, in continued celebration of his centenary. It will be published May 8 by HarperCollins, with the ISBN of  9780008767631  . The description follows: Christopher Tolkien’s masterly translation of the Icelandic Heidrek’s Saga, including the dramatic Battle of the Goths and the Huns, the lyrical Waking of Angantyr, and the unique riddle-contest between King Heidrek and the god Odin. Heidrek’s Saga  is a medieval entertainment – a ‘romance’, but a romance that derives little of its matter from the literature of France or Germany. It is an example of a kind of story-telling that was flourishing in Iceland by the beginning of the twelfth century, and which (in contrast to the more celebrated ‘Sagas of the Icelanders’) told of legendary figures whose origins lie far back in time beyond the settlement of the country. The elements of the story, diverse in age and atmosphere, ...

  It's that time of year again to look & think ahead of what the next  calendar year has in store for Tolkien books! This is '....hmm, what might  come out??'  HARDBACKS The Lord of the Rings  Author Illustrated 3-Part Boxed Set (speculation). This is the 'last chance' for this to happen in the immediate future (the next opportunity would be the 75th Anniversary). I'm unsure how realistic it is, given the amount of various hardback editions of The Lord of the Rings  currently in print. What makes me think that this could  happen, was for the 50th Anniversary Editions, the releases went as such: 1-book hardback, 1-book deluxe slipcased edition, and 3-book boxed set (well, '4' actually - the 4th book was the Companion  by Hammond & Scull). As it currently stands with the Author-Illustrated editions of The Lord of the Rings ; if we follow this pattern, then we're 'missing' the 3-book boxed set. As discussed in posts past, how that set co...