Buying some new LotR books, looking for feedback!

Hi friends,

As a youngster I was first exposed to Tolkien through my grade school library. The first set of LotR/Hobbit books I owned was a Christmas gift, and it was the mass-market box set that was released in conjunction with the films. Not the best editions to be sure, but it's what I had at the time and I loved them nonetheless.

By now though, I've worn those poor (and poorly-made) books into near dust, and they're practically falling apart. As a fully-grown and functioning member of society, it's time for me to invest in a worthwhile set of books, and I'm tempted to pick up the editions that I first read all those years back from my school's library.

Here is the set in question - the 1998 Houghton Mifflin release. They obviously have a certain nostalgia for me, but I happen to be particularly fond of the style as well. I was curious to check in with you knowledgeable folk here to see if these would make a... fine addition to my collection :)

Looking forward to your thoughts! Thank you!
 
Sorry to bump a nearly 2 year old thread, but I recently kinda had this issue myself, posted here, and I believe with good feedback from a member.


So as it happens, that Houghton Mifflin release you linked to, is the second version that I had myself.

I also originally encountered the books through my school in the mid-90s, and wanted my own set, so then I purchased (or had my parents purchase for me) this paperback edition for my very own, which I also read until they fell apart: https://www.tolkienbooks.us/lotr/us/mmpb/bb1993 (I had that version of the Hobbit too).

When that paperback version fell apart, I was also gifted the hardcover 1988 Houghton Mifflin version you linked - https://www.tolkienbooks.us/lotr/us/hc/hm1988

Mine wasn't in a box, but that's definitely the artwork on the hardcover set I have. I probably got that when I was in my late teens, so probably late 90s to early 2000s, most definitely before the movies came out though.

Anyway, to finally get around to answering your question - yes, I think that Houghton Mifflin set is a very "fine," addition to a collection. I still have my set of these now, 20+ years later, they are still in my collection.

However, I will say, they are "fine," but they don't feel premium or collector grade. After 20+ years, they are still hanging in there, but the binding is getting loose, the pages are beginning to feel like they might get to the point where they could fall out, etc. Some of this is assuredly just regular wear and tear from reading it so much, but, I recall feeling like the set was getting worn probably 10 years ago as well.

I recently (see my above post) broke down and purchased (on a big sale) these three (Illustrated by the Author editions):

Lord of the Rings (one volume) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0358653037?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_RN6KX8VPQ120J9NFG7CV&language=en-US

The Hobbit - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0063347539?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_7FGPTNVV61PARDXKQXBW&language=en-US

The Silmarillion - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0063280779?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_R9SGVWJCHC3MP8P6RKGT&language=en-US

I kinda wanted the Lord of the Rings in three books, not one volume, but I couldn't find any other editions that were this combo of price (when on sale), eye-popping display quality, and durability. The Easton Press volumes are probably hardy, but I didn't love that they were all green, the price was astronomical ($400+!!!) and people kinda complained about them a little. Juniper Books made a set that had separated FOTR, TTT and ROTK, but again, price was over $200 when including the Hobbit and Silm, and I didn't love all the green there either.

I ended up paying just over $100 for this one-volume set, plus Hobbit and Silm, altogether, and they look gorgeous and feel very sturdy. I think these are the display pieces I will want to have out on a bookshelf while also being able to read again and again. Coincidentally, they are still on heavy sale on Amazon as I write this post.

I do like my Houghton Mifflin set, and they were very good for a long time. But if it came down to paying $50+ for that set or just over $100 for what I got, I'd go with the latter.
 
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