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Just a few words about this topic: I started it some time ago to find out info about something that interested me at the time, the Tolkien Deluxe Set. Later, though, it became the main source for information regarding all sorts of present deluxe editions, clearly shown in photos for those interested to make a better idea. We've discussed here about shipping times and shared important opinions that will definitely be of use for someone wishing to buy any of these books. Next comes the discussion as it first started.Well, I've just seen the photos of these four books for so long on the site that I've made a mind of owning them myself. These are the books I'm talking about:  But before venturing to spend some 260 pounds on the set (that seems to be the actual price, once one adds transportation fees), I'd like to know if any of you have the set or at least some (or any) of these Tolkien deluxe editions. If so, what do they have that makes them so special? I mean, putting aside the quality, is there anything inside them different from what we can find in the mass market ones? For instance, I think I remember reading that the deluxe LoTR contains color pages from the book of Mazarbul. Any other special features?
Tolkien maniac collection! - Amazon (a list that I made for people much interested in Tolkien works and studies)
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omg I soo want those books. No, sorry let me refrase that: I'm gonna have them! :D
Where now are the Dúnedain, Elessar, Elessar?
Why do thy kinfolk wander afar?
Near is the hour when the Lost should come forth,
And the Grey Company ride from the North.
But dark is the path appointed for thee:
The Dead watch the road that leads to the Sea
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Although I did not purchase these books as a set, I do own all of them (and soon will have the matching "Tales from the Perilous Realm.") I have purchased these as they were released, in order to have first printings of the entire set (I actually have two sets - one still shrinkwrapped!). As far as the quality goes, I think they are tough to beat. No, they are not leather, they are not signed, or anything else fancy. However, they are sturdy and very well constructed. Most books these days are slapped together with glue and will not hold up to many readings. These books have sewn bindings and are printed on high quality acid free paper. The sewn binding is really what you are paying for here. The books are attractive, yes, but they also feel great in your hands and you can tell that the hinging and overall construction is solid. Of my copies, I have only read through the Children of Hurin and the Hobbit. But, after reading these, the books still look as if they were new. You can barely tell they have ever been opened!
My advise: If you are looking for books that have the appeal of collectable copies, but you would like to still read them and have them last a long time, this is indeed a great set. I don't believe that they will ever be worth a ton of money, but they very nice books. If you don't want to store them in a case and never touch them, then I believe these are superior to the previous quarter leather/cloth editions that HC has published because I think they are more durable.
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In response to Galin's post - which mysteriously disappeared in the meantime - I indeed asked the question here because the shopping site is down, and moreover I wanted feedback on how these books really are - feedback from owners, and not from the publishing house. As for the interesting instance when I discovered The Children of Hurin (signed one), I also saw the set. As I barely had hopes of ever getting that CoH book (which was like a Holy Grail for me - and still is), I most certainly disregarded the (also) expensive set. However, now that many months have passed, I am looking forward to any opportunity to own another collectible item. It's a disease, really... I just hope the site gets back, for it's been most annoying to see it down for so long.
Tolkien maniac collection! - Amazon (a list that I made for people much interested in Tolkien works and studies)
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One more thing that I found on the ever resourceful www.tolkienlibrary.com: A description of The Silmarillion deluxe edition in this set: " The Silmarillion (2007) - 1st edition 1st impressionPublished for its 30th anniversary, this newly reset edition of Tolkien's masterwork The Silmarillion features an exclusive full colour frontispiece The Halls of Manwë painted by J.R.R. Tolkien, the only scene from the book he painted, and is embossed with the delicate heraldic symbol he designed to represent Luthien, The Silmarillion's greatest heroine, which is also reproduced inside the book in colour. This edition also includes Christopher Tolkien's two-colour maps, including a fold-out map of Beleriand, and as a Preface, Tolkien's original letter of 1951 containing his account of the mythology of Middle-earth." I italicised the part about the Preface. This letter to Milton Waldman, of 1951, is present in the mass market editions as well. Is there anything new here? I believe AlpinGloin could help me with this.
Tolkien maniac collection! - Amazon (a list that I made for people much interested in Tolkien works and studies)
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You are right, JW, the Tolkien Library is a very nice resource for collectors. Beren is very good at keeping the community updated. He has good connections with HC. Try also (if you haven't already), tolkienbooks.net. There is an extensive bibliography that is extremely useful and informative. Here is a link to the bibliography entry for the specific book in question: http://www.tolkienbooks.net/php/details.php?reference=62550I do not think that there is anything new or special about this edition, other than the quality 'sewn' binding and slipcase. I think this edition was released primarily so that people could have a matching set (with the Hobbit, LotR, and CoH). I know that a lot of people were hoping it would be an illustrated edition (similar to the 1998 Ted Nasmith edition), especially since its publication came on the heels of the Alan Lee illustrated Children of Hurin, but this unfortunately was not the case. That brings up an entirely new topic, "Wouldn't it be great to see an Alan Lee illustrated Silmarillion?" I have really enjoyed reading the Alan Lee illustrated versions of the other books and would love to see his spin on the Sil. There may be some issues there, you know, with stepping on Ted Nasmith's toes and maybe some legal stuff. In any case, I would be very interested to know if an Alan Lee Silmarillion has ever been discussed. The new deluxe book, just released ("Tales from the Perilous Realm"), however, is illustrated by Alan Lee and should be very nice. Here is a link to some photos of that one (The photos show the signed edition that is only available from the Tolkien Store, which as we know is currently off-line. The unsigned, though otherwise identical, version is available from Amazon.) http://www.tolkienguide.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=915&viewmode=flat&order=ASC&type=&mode=0&start=20The foil stamping looks nice on this one. I can't wait for mine!
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Thanks for the info. I was very anxious to find out more about the Perilous Realm deluxe, since Amazon does not have photos. It does look great - it would be fabulous if they made a box to contain this one too... But since the 4-book set was limited, I think this is improbable. Anyhow, what will the price be for the signed edition? I know Amazon lists it for 60 pounds, and right now discounts it by some 40%... but will the signed one be that unexpensive? That would be very nice, perhaps I could buy it for Christmas... :D
Tolkien maniac collection! - Amazon (a list that I made for people much interested in Tolkien works and studies)
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The signed copy has the same list price as the unsigned version. However, it is restricted to the first 500 copies sold and is only available through the tolkien.co.uk website (for 60.00GBP). The unsigned version is also 60GBP, but Amazon usually offers pretty deep discounts and I have seen it for as low as 36.00GBP. I went with the unsigned copy (since the signed one is not available for shipment to the US). One thing to mention (and you will see this if you read the entire thread in the link to the photos in my last post) is that the edition was stated by HC to be 'signed and numbered' by Alan Lee. This was not entirely accurate, as it was only signed by Alan. A lot of people are complaining about its lack of numbering, saying that no number diminishes its value and makes it more difficult to label it as "exclusive." Alan Lee is known to sign a lot of copies and there is not much to differentiate one of the first 500 from a standard deluxe copy that someone might hand him to sign at an event.
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Oh, how very interesting. I confess to never having thought of the value that the book would have if numbered - which I now perceive fully. Anyhow, I will most certainly not be able to get Alan Lee to sign my Amazon copy (if I decide to buy from them), and really 60 GBP seems like a fair amount for me. The problem with HC is that they will most likely add a very high figure for the shipping, unless they send the book via standard shipping, which their policy forbid in the case of the signed super deluxe CoH. It all depends on the HC store to be back online... and it takes them dreadfully long to upgrade that site...
Tolkien maniac collection! - Amazon (a list that I made for people much interested in Tolkien works and studies)
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Not quite sure about shipping to Romania, John, but it might not be as bad as you'd think. HC can't ship to the US due to licensing agreements (Houghton Mifflin has the rights to Tolkien publications in the US). However, they must have worked something out specifically for the Super Deluxe (signed, leather, etc.) Children of Hurin recently, because they have made that book (and that book alone), available to US customers. I took advantage of the offer just a couple of weeks ago and was only charged 4.99GBP to ship two copies to the US! It was a lot of cash for two of them, but I couldn't resist taking advantage of the stronger US dollar (against the pound sterling). It wasn't too long ago that my dollar was 2 to 1 with pound. Now it is only 1.5 to 1. Anyway, I am still awaiting their arrival, but I couldn't believe that they only wanted 3.99GBP+0.99GBP per additional book for shipping.
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Tell you the truth, it's ridiculously low! You're really lucky! I paid an extra 58 GBP for the shipping of the signed limited CoH, simply because of their policy that the book is too valuable to risk a standard shipping, which would have implied no liabiliy for HC if the book got damaged or was lost on the way. But the funny part of it all is that, while having paid this 58 GBP, I received the book some 3 days later from UPS. Now the same speed is achieved for books delivered by Amazon (also through UPS), for a standard shipping of only 4-6 GPB. This is why I am not so sure about the signed Perilous Realms. As soon as their site gets back, I'll e-mail HC to ask them about shipping cost, and then decide whether to buy or not. But as for the Deluxe set, there really is no other chance than HC, if they still list it, regardless of the shipping cost.
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I have a question concerning these editions of The Children of Húrin.Quote: Deluxe edition limited to 500 copies worldwide, signed by Christopher Tolkien and Alan Lee. Containing nine colour plates, it is hand-bound in full goat-skin with marbled endpapers and raised spine ribs; the pages are edged in gold. A different, less expensive edition. Quote:This de luxe collector's edition features the first edition text and eight full-colour plates, with an exclusive colour frontispiece illustration. OK, can anyone quickly describe the ninth plate and (or) the exclusive colour frontispiece illustration? I have two editions already, but am thinking of getting the second version here. I was also wondering if one of the colour pieces here was the Dragon at Nargothrond, which was on the web at one point as the possible jacket illustration to a Dutch edition. Thanks
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Oh, no, I was rather disappointed with the mysteryous ninth color plate. It should be let known that this is nothing else than the cover design of all mass market volumes, i.e. Turin on a hill:  but cropped from the right so that to have the format of the book. I don't really understand what you mean with "A different, less expensive edition." Are you looking for a different edition or what? There are basically 3 editions: - mass market hardcover and paperback http://www.amazon.co.uk/Children-Hurin-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0007246226/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229612418&sr=8-2http://www.amazon.co.uk/Children-Hurin-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0007252269/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229612418&sr=8-1- deluxe edition PHOTO- super deluxe edition  The deluxe and super-deluxe contain the ninth plate, as they don't have it on the cover.
Tolkien maniac collection! - Amazon (a list that I made for people much interested in Tolkien works and studies)
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Sorry John, I just meant that the deluxe edition (described in the second quote) was less expensive than the first -- the first one being the one signed by CJRT and etc (super deluxe).
From your post (correct me if I'm wrong) it appears then that both these versions have the same 'extra' illustration, and that it is the picture you just posted of Túrin. If so that answers my question nicely.
Now I'm wondering if the 'Dragon at Nargothrond' made it into any editions. Hmmm.
Thanks again
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Indeed, the only difference of these deluxe / super-deluxe editions in content is that ninth color plate, basically the same that we can see on the cover of any less expensive volume of COH (but without any writing on it, of course.) I bought the Romanian edition of COH and it hase the same plates (without the ninth, which is the cover), and I get by the impression that this photo  is not present in any COH. I don't know about the Calendar, though.
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It isn't in the calendar I own anyway (which has all illustrations from The Children of Húrin by Lee), but it is one of my favorites. 
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I have just received my copy of the deluxe edition of The Tales from the Perilous Realm, which is of the same quality/size to the Deluxe Set books. Harper Collins asked 60 GBP for the Alan Lee signed book + 21.5 GBP posting and shipping. I took mine from Amazon for 42 GBP (unsigned) and had to pay a total of 55.5 GBP after VAT and shipping. Here are some photos of it, for your information (you may want to buy it, it's really neat - and big.) Still sealed:  The view from the back, after unsealing:  The book and the slipcase:  The symbol on the book shines beautifully in the light:  This is the only color plate in the book, spread on three pages, but there are numerous other black-and-white drawings:  The front cover detail:  This being said, I am eagerly awaiting to get the money to buy the set. It's definitely worth it. One more thing, the books are said to be quarterbound - now the green material looks like leather, smells like leather, but it definitely does not feel like leather. I don't know it it really is - or perhaps it is leather of lesser quality - I mean on the super-deluxe COH, you can feel its smoothness. This one feels like paper in a way.
Tolkien maniac collection! - Amazon (a list that I made for people much interested in Tolkien works and studies)
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Quote:For instance, I think I remember reading that the deluxe LoTR contains color pages from the book of Mazarbul. It does, but the regular 50th Anniversary hardback of The Fellowship of the Ring (ISBN 0007203543), released in 2005 both as a seperate volume and as part of a four-volume box-set also including The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion (ISBN 0007203578), does as well. (The many paperback versions released since then do not have the colour plates, though.) In other words, it is a feature added to the 50th Anniversary hardback editions, not specifically to the deluxe edition.
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I finally got my Tolkien Deluxe set. Here are some photos: - the unopened set  - the books taken out of the big box, with the papers showing the features visible. Click on the image to see a larger one (it's the same for all thumbnails in this post.)  - the books, after unsealing  - the set and the "Tales from the Perilous Realm" look great together...  - but even better with the two volumes by Christina Scull and Wayne Hammond, detailing on the life and works of JRR Tolkien, and made to fit the deluxe editions  - in LotR, two of the three pages from the Book of Mazarbul are visible in this photo. (Click)  - LotR is very thick and impressive. This is one of two unfoldable maps. Something else that shows the quality is that the letters on the Ring, given in "The Shadow of the Past", are printed in red. (Click)  - The Hobbit is the best of these books. The map really has "invisible" runes, as Tolkien intended. In fact, they are printed on the back of the map, and are only visible when held up to light. (Click)  - The Hobbit is illustrated throughout, with numerous paintings of JRR Tolkien. Some of them were not coloured originally, so an artist did the job in those cases. It really looks great. (Click)  - the set and the box  - the set and "The Tales...", with their encasings in the background  All I can recommend is BUY IT! I purchased it for 140 GBP + 4 GBP shipping, and got it in about 10 days (weekends included.) It looks very good on the shelf and the books are readable (i.e., unlike the signed CoH, which is just too valuable for everyday use.) There is no discount anymore, but 200 GBP seems fair enough for me. P.S. Minoreth, you'd love these books - they'd look lovely in your all-Tolkien room.
Tolkien maniac collection! - Amazon (a list that I made for people much interested in Tolkien works and studies)
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Just - WOW.
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us..." Gandalf,Inacnus,Tharkun,Mithrandir,Olorin Amazon-Tolkien Thanks to Ranak for the signature and his signature shop! Gladiatus Game Awesome:)
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