The Fireside

  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’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...

  With the publication of The Silmarillion  in this format, this completes HarperCollins' series of collector's editions.  In terms of their construction and features, these editions don't really offer anything that other hardbacks don't - beyond the attractive cover and exterior design. While it's not my business to tell others' what 'place' or 'purpose' a particular edition has on their shelves; it's my belief that these editions are targeted towards those that want something nicer than a paperback, but not paying usual hardback prices. Perfect as reading copies, and make great gifts to give, without breaking the bank.    The info for these editions is: ~ The Hobbit:  9780007487301 ~ The Fellowship of the Ring:   9780008567125 ~ The Two Towers:   9780008567132 ~ The Return of the King:   9780008567149 ~ The Silmarillion :  9780008669140 Sadly, there is no boxed set - though one can always get a custom-made one. I wanted to showcase the...

  A head's up that Waterstones is offering exclusive new paperbacks of The Lord of the Rings in 3 parts. Sadly, there is no boxed set (I strongly believe that none of the 3 should ever be available outside of a boxed set. Boxed sets, and 1-book editions. Not separate!). While these are paperbacks, I'm sure there are some that would be interested in a set. Since you can only get these through Waterstones, I won't provide the ISBNs, but the direct links instead. The Fellowship of the Ring: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-fellowship-of-the-ring/j-r-r-tolkien/2928377105211?utm_source=Social+&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=Ws_2022_July_fellowship_of_the_ring_tolkien&fbclid=IwAR3a2orMVisVwzEsyn82R4aQuM9Xea6V1NzwB2EWLilxUYoPSku-wzBQJ3U The Two Towers: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-two-towers/j-r-r-tolkien/2928377105228?utm_source=Social+&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=Ws_2022_July_the_two_towers_tolkien&fbclid=IwAR1e_hBxApL66T8oExHQW-lDMls...

  Good news for anyone who's missed the much sought-after and coveted "collector's editions" (explanation of quotes further below, without sarcasm) that came out back in 2013. It appears that they are coming back later this year! Based on the description and cover artwork, anyway. These are likely re-prints of the 2013 editions, though under a different ISBN; much like the recent re-print of Tales From the Perilous Realm . Here's hoping that they stay in print longer, and anyone that really wanted them the first time can get them.  The thing is, as I often say, there's no 'wrong' Tolkien edition, it's just the publisher's wording on these make them sound more 'special' than they really are. In fact, the 60th anniversary boxed set (w/ the Companion by Hammond & Scull) and the recent Alan Lee illustrated editions are nicer and more 'special' than these are. These are good reading copies, and are decent enough standard hardba...

  Many fans consider the extended editions of The Lord of the Rings films to be the definitive version. Peter Jackson, however, considers that to be the case for the theatrical editions. It makes sense - they are, after all, the versions that came out into cinemas and are 'finalized' because of that. Some state that the theatrical editions have better flow and editing than the extended editions. Overall, I prefer the extended editions myself. They aren't just a 'longer' version of the movie, the stuff re-inserted usually has meaning. That being said, there are some things that the theatrical editions does better, and some things that the extended editions do better. In this post, in honour of The Fellowship of the Ring's 20th anniversary, I'm going to use both (and slight hypothetical editing on my part) to create the best version of the films as possible. Well, to me, that is.  Now remember - what works on page doesn't always work on screen. These nee...

  Note: the colour red has been sporadically throughout this post, to capture a 'likeness' to the newly-published special edition. Now that the new single-volume special edition of The Lord of the Rings with illustrations by Tolkien is now out, I can add further to a previous post about how a 70th Anniversary Edition Boxed Set in 2024 could be executed. This hypothetical-at-this-point edition would use the 2021 special edition in standard hardback format as the template. The image above is taken from the slipcased edition, and I can see this exact same design going directly onto the box.   Before we begin, a little history.   In 2004, there was a 4-book boxed set ( The Lord of the Rings as three parts, plus the Reader's Companion ). Then, in 2014, there was a 60 th anniversary boxed set, which is quite similar to the 50th set aesthetically, with some updates to the text. 2024 will be the 70th anniversary. So, can we expect another 3-part boxed set with the Co...

Today marks a special occasion: it's now been 30 years since Alan Lee's illustrated edition of The Lord of the Rings first appeared. It proved so popular when it first appeared, that according to the documentary J.R.R. Tolkien: A Video Portrait , it sold out within minutes of hitting the bookshelves. Often called 'the centenary edition' (due mostly to when it came out, though there are other Tolkien books that feature the centenary emblem published around this time, so 'centenary edition' isn't limited to The Lord of the Rings in this sense) it has been a favourite among Tolkien fans since it first appeared. Also, to movie-goers, many of his illustrations may look familiar; as he was a conceptual artist (along with John Howe) for the Peter Jackson films. The original edition is an over-sized hardback, featuring a total of 50 illustrations. Since 1991, it has been published a few times in various formats. All editions illustrated by Lee contain the same im...

  I'll begin by saying that for the 50th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings , there was the boxed set which presented the novel in three parts, with the accompanying Companion . 10 years later, there was a 60th anniversary boxed set which was aesthetically VERY close to the 50th one. 2024 will be the 70th anniversary. So, can we expect ANOTHER 3-part boxed set with the Companion to be issued? I think 'yes', and this is how I think it would happen. This October, there will be a Tolkien-illustrated single-volume edition coming out (as a standard hardback, a collector's edition, and even as an eBook!). I believe that the 70th anniversary boxed set - which would come out about 3 years later, in 2024 - will take that edition, and all of its features (Tolkien's illustrations, red ink, ribbon-marker (if the Oct 2021 edition features one, that is!), the red sprayed page edging, etc) and divide it into 3. The dustjackets would feature the same artwork that was used for th...

  Before I begin typing out my post, here is the summary of what the 31-disc set will include: LOTR Theatrical Editions - 3 BDs LOTR Extended Editions - 6 BDs LOTR 4K Both Versions - 9 4Ks (3 discs per film) HOBBIT Theatrical Editions - 3 BDs HOBBIT Extended Editions - 3 BDs HOBBIT 4K Both Versions - 6 4Ks (2 discs per film) BONUS DISC - 1 BD TOTAL = 31 discs (No Appendices) I knew that it would include different bonus material that isn't the appendices (be sweet if they came too, as it'd be 'all-encompassing'), as it's the 20th anniversary. But only ONE disc, with about 90-ish minutes of bonus content?? And, no WETA statue?? Yeah....no. What happened to the days of old, when The Lord of the Rings had nice extended editions and gift set packages? No cheap 'cases'. No trailers or 'coming soon' at the start of those discs. I don't think there will be anything as nice, packaging design-wise, as The Lord of the Rings 12-disc DVD set (and the separate...

  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...

  At long last, The Lord of the Rings film trilogy arrives on 4K! The set that this blog post is about features theatrical and extended editions of the trilogy (though no special features, more on that later) and the gift set features nicer packaging, and a replica of The One Ring (unsure who by at this point). While the set is in 4K, and features Dolby Atmos, these films will likely - this is, as of now, unconfirmed - feature the same transfer that the blu-ray editions did. In 2021, there's going to be a new restoration/remaster, and that set will likely included special features discs. Expect that to be out for the 20th anniversary of The Fellowship of the Ring at the very latest. The set I'm discussing in this post, though, is due to be out this December. It's targeted at those who want the films on 4K, and don't care for special features or bonus material. If you would like more info, I'd like to direct to TheOneRing.Net's announcement: https://www.theoner...

A few days ago, the news broke that in Europe there is a listing for The Lord of the Rings + The Hobbit film trilogies coming to 4K. The date mentioned was June 2020, however 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of The Fellowship of the Ring . The article mentions that both theatrical and extended editions would be arriving. Now, what would I like these release(s) to be like? Here are some thoughts on how I'd like to see these released on 4K blu-ray (or UHD blu-ray): - HDR & Dolby Atmos, possibly Dolby Vision as well - both extended and theatrical editions to be included in the same set : not one set for theatrical, and one for extended. - 3 releases: The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit trilogy, and a set with both - the packaging for The Lord of the Rings to be nearly identical to the 12-disc extended DVD trilogy set from 2004. The Hobbit extended trilogy on DVD also had similar packaging. The blu-ray release had some elements carry over, though it's not qu...

Earlier today, this limited-edition, numbered, slipcased signed edition was announced. Only 3,000 will be printed! Official description follows below: Presenting two richly illustrated books in one elegant slipcase, this deluxe, limited edition boxed set celebrates in words and pictures the beautiful work that award-winning artist Alan Lee has created for J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Sumptuously bound in full cloth, with a miniature colour image embossed into the front board, each large-format volume overflows with hundreds of delicate pencil drawings and conceptual sketches, and dozens of haunting watercolour paintings, including many brand-new Hobbit paintings and drawings that take us deeper into the magical world of Bilbo Baggins. This very special set unlocks the secret of how Alan creates his own Middle-earth magic and provides a fascinating insight into the imagination of the man who breathed new life into Tolkien...

Amazon has finally fully (I never saw the point on posting about the map as it was being revealed) revealed their Middle-earth map, as well as a status update: "Welcome to the Second Age." Worthy of note is the inclusion of Numenor on the map of Middle-earth. This interesting, as most maps of Middle-earth (books, films etc) do not feature as it sinks into the sea during the Second Age, and most maps are of Middle-earth during the Third Age. There is a whole bunch of information I could pass on, so first I'll refer you to portions of the various books, relating to information about The Second Age, and Numenor itself. I should also add that The Second age was also known as "The Black Years" ('Black' in Tolkien means 'dark' (depression), corrupt, foul, etc.) IN PRINT: - in The Return of the King , read through the Appendices - in The Silmarillion , read Akallabeth (The Downfall of Numenor) - in Unfinished Tales , read Part Two: The Second Age. ...

Amazon Prime's Middle-earth series is now somewhat underway. Not long ago, they had created a Facebook page for the project: https://www.facebook.com/ LOTRonPrime/   , as well as a website: amazon.com/lotronprime . Aside from the map, not much has been uploaded yet. However, should you be interested in following the project, official updates will be there. I look forward to following the project as it progresses: cast, poster, trailer....and any associated merchandise. Hopefully, the merchandise won't be restricted to "Prime Members Only." I'm curious what types of merchandise and products we can expect to see associated with this. I remember from 2001-2003 HarperCollins drastically increased production on Tolkien items - both related to Peter Jackson's films and not. Can we expect to see some new editions, beyond imagery used as book covers? Also, back then bookstores were book stores - not like today where they are department stores that happen to se...

April - Sept saw the release of the complete recordings on limited edition numbered vinyl. These sets (one for each film) was the entire soundtrack. That campaign is over. This release, is the 70-80 minute ‘basic’ versions of all 3 films in one set, and doesn’t look to be limited. It looks like it’ll be 2 LPs per movie (totaling 6 for the entire set). You know - the version that comes out close to when the movies were release din cinemas. The ones most people are familiar with. While not the complete recordings, this is great for those who wish to own this music on vinyl, and have missed the complete recordings; due to them being limited and numbered. On Nov. 30, in a non-limited set, all three soundtracks (the 'basic' 70-80 minute ones) are getting released in a 6LP boxed set. This should work out to 2 LPs per film. The set can currently be bought from here : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J3H7F8B/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=hennethannunr-20...