The Silmarillion

Relevant Silmarillion Searches:

First Editions

Easton Editions

Folio Editions

Signed Editions

Pictured Left Middle: Silmarillion
Hardcover with Slip case
Folio Society
1997

Pictured Left Bottom: Silmarillion
Harper-Collins, Sept 2, 1998
Limited Edition (500 made), bound and slip-cased, First Edition. Signed by C. Tolkien and Ted Nasmith. Color Photos and Map.
Illustrator: Ted Nasmith

A number-one New York Times bestseller when it was originally published, The Silmarillion is core of J.R.R. Tolkien's imaginative writing, a work whose origins stretch back to a time long before The Hobbit. Tolkien considered Silmarillion his most important work, and, though it was published last and posthumously, this great collection of tales and legends clearly sets stage for all his other writing. A story of creation of the world and of the First Age, this is an ancient drama to which characters in Lord of the Rings look back and in whose events some of them, such as Elrond and Galadriel, took part. The three Silmarils were jewels created by Feanor, most gifted of Elves. Within them was imprisoned the Light of the Two Trees of Valinor before they were destroyed by Morgoth, worlds first Dark Lord. Thereafter, the unsullied Light of Valinor lived on only in these Silmarils, but they were seized by Morgoth and set in his crown, which was guarded in an impenetrable fortress of Angband in north of Middle-earth. Silmarillion is the history of rebellion of Feanor and his kindred against the gods, their exile from Valinor and return to Middle-earth, and their war, hopeless despite all their heroism, against Morgoth. This pictured second edition features a letter written by J.R.R. Tolkien describing his intentions for this book, which serves as a brilliant exposition of his conception of earlier Ages of Middle-earth.

The Adventures of Tom Bombadil

Pictured Left Bottom: Adventures of Tom Bombadil
Softcover
Ballantine
 

Pictured Left Bottom: Road Goes Ever On 
No Information Available

In this song book the composer Donald Swann gives Tolkien characters Bilbo Baggins, Treebeard, Sam Gamgee and Tom Bombadil tunes for their ballads of the road. Professor Tolkien approved of this and added a tune of his own, decorated this book in his own hand and added a glossary of Elvish terms and lore that appears nowhere else. Music by Donald Swann, Poetry by Tolkien.

Pictured Left Bottom: Bilbo's Last Song: At the Grey Havens
Hardcover, 32pp.
Houghton Mifflin
February 1991
1st American edition

Pictured Left Bottom: Unfinished Tales of Numenor and Middle-Earth
No Information Available

Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien

Pictured Left Bottom (2 Photos): Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien
Hardcover, Slipcase 103pp.
Allen & Unwin
November 1979
Edition 1st American edition

In this sumptuous collection of Tolkien's art, we gain a new understanding of visual aspects of his remarkable imagination. This memorable collection will delight Tolkien enthusiasts with its beauty and its range. It contains 48 full-color reproductions of Tolkien's paintings and colored drawings, as well as original pen-and-ink drawings, some published here for first time. Long out of print, this volume is now re-issued with a revised text by Christopher Tolkien. Pictures will provide a unique and fascinating insight into Tolkien's visual conception of many of the places and characters familiar to readers of The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings and Silmarillion. Examples of his art range from delicate watercolors depicting Bag-End, Rivendell, Forest of Lothlorien, Smaug and Old Man Willow to drawings and sketches of the Mines of Moria Gate and Minas Tirith in Gondor. Together they form a comprehensive collection of Tolkien's own illustrations for his most popular books. Also included are many of his beautiful designs showing patterns of flowers and trees, friezes, tapestries and heraldic devices associated with the world of Middle-earth. In their variety and scope they provide abundant visual evidence of the richness of his imagination. Christopher Tolkien's text gives detailed notes on sources for each picture.

Book of Lost Tales 1

Pictured Left Bottom: Book of Lost Tales 1

Unfinished Tales 

Pictured Left Middle: Unfinished Tales 
Paperback, 415pp.
Houghton Mifflin
September 1982

Pictured Left Bottom: Unfinished Tales 
Paperback
Allen & Unwin
1980
1st Edition thus

Poems from the Hobbit

The Tolkien Reader

Pictured Left Middle: Tolkien Reader
1st Edition
Paperback
Ballantine
1966

Pictured Left Bottom: Tolkien Reader 
Mass Market Paperback, 272pp.
Ballantine Books, Inc.
May 1976
Re-issue