New editions of Lord of the Rings celebrating the 50th anniversary of its first publication (20.10.05 by Pieter Collier) - Comments

Exactly 50 years ago, "the Return of the King" was put in the stores and J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy "The Lord of the Rings" was completed. Immediately 7.000 copies were printed because of the high demand. The publication was six months later then expected due to the difficulties Tolkien experienced trying to bring the Appendices into publishable form. He had also wished to compile an index and to draw a detailed map of Gondor. Because of the pressure of the public, and the many problems to get the Appendices right, Tolkien abandoned the idea of an index and his son Christopher was set to draw the map. On 20 October 1955, "the Return of the King" was finally published.

Since it was first published in 1954, "The Lord of the Rings" has been a book many people have treasured. Steeped in unrivalled magic and otherworldliness, its sweeping fantasy has touched the hearts of young and old alike. One hundred and fifty million copies of its many editions have been sold around the world, and occasional collectors' editions become prized and valuable items of publishing.

Now, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its first publication, the text has been fully restored with almost 400 corrections - with the full co-operation of Christopher Tolkien - making it the definitive version, and as close as possible to the version that J.R.R. Tolkien intended. To make the celebration complete an extensive new index has been added.

The 50th anniversary edition by Harper Collins

Hardcover: 1472 pagesPublication Date: October 17, 2005Release Date:  October  26, 2005 Publisher: HarperCollinsISBN: 0007203578Price in AUD: $175.00

These 50th anniversary hardback editions feature Tolkien's original unused dust-jacket designs which date from the 1950s, which have been reworked to celebrate this special anniversary. They are collected here in a four-volume boxed set which also includes The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, a unique annotated guide to the text, which will enhance the reader's enjoyment and understanding of the book of the 20th century.

Also included are the original red and black maps as fold-out sheets, a fully revised and enlarged index, and - for the first time - a special plate section containing the pages from the Book of Mazarbul.

This four book set will prove irresistible to collectors and new fans alike. Now, together with the long awaited "A Reader's Companion", this set is truly a celebration!

Also a four-volume paperback boxed set containing J.R.R. Tolkien's classic masterpiece, together with 'The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion', the annotated guide to all three parts is being published by Harper Collins.

The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion

In The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion internationally acclaimed scholars Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull examine Tolkien's masterpiece chapter by chapter, offering expert insights into its evolution, structure, and meaning. They discuss in close detail important literary and historical influences on the development of The Lord of the Rings, connections between that work and other writings by Tolkien, errors and inconsistencies, significant changes to the text during its fifty years of publication, archaic and unusual words used by Tolkien, and words and passages in his invented languages of Middle-earth. Thousands of notes, keyed to standard editions of The Lord of the Rings but universally accessible, reveal the richness and complexity of one of the most popular works of fiction in our time. In addition to their own expertise and that of other scholars and critics, Hammond and Scull frequently draw upon comments by Tolkien himself, made in letters to family, friends, and enthusiasts, in draft texts of The Lord of the Rings, and in works written in later years which amplify or illuminate characters and events in the story.

Extensive reference is made also to writings by Tolkien not previously or widely published, including elaborate time-schemes, an unfinished manuscript index to The Lord of the Rings, and most notably, the important Nomenclature or guide to names in The Lord of the Rings prepared for the use of translators, long out of print and now newly transcribed and printed in its entirety. The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion will provide unique insight into the creative process of a true genius and will offer a detailed and informative account of how the book of the century has evolved. With these resources at hand, even the most seasoned reader of The Lord of the Rings will come to a greater enjoyment and appreciation of Tolkien's magnificent achievement.

The Readers companion will also be published by Houghton Mifflin. But the cover i have not seen yet.

Hardcover: 416 pages Publication Date: October 25, 2005Publisher: Houghton Mifflin ISBN: 0618642676EAN: 9780618642670

The 50th anniversary edition by Houghton Mifflin

The 50th anniversary hardback edition by Houghton Mifflin also includes the fiftieth-anniversary fully corrected text setting and, for the first time, an extensive new index. It is published as one volume and is there for less impressive then the four box set published by Harper Collins. Yet looking at the price we must admit it is a cheaper way to get the definitive version of Lord of the Rings. With exactly the same cover and size this book has also been published as a paperback, making this celebration edition even more available for the public.

Paperback: 1216 pagesPublication Date: October 12, 2005Publisher: Houghton Mifflin ISBN: 0618640150EAN: 9780618640157Price in AUD: $20.00

References

• J.R.R. Tolkien: A Descriptive Bibliography by Wayne G. Hammond, with the assistance of Douglas A. Anderson.
• In de Ban van de Hobbit by Johan Vanhecke.

Enjoyed this post? Click to get future articles delivered by email or get the RSS feed.

Spread the news about this J.R.R. Tolkien article: